In his throat there came the least bit of a whine. It was so low thatUmisk and his playmates did not hear it. They were tremendously busy.

Softly Baree took his first step toward them, and then another--and atlast he stood on the narrow strip of shore within half a dozen feet ofthem. His sharp little ears were pitched forward, and he was wigglinghis tail as rapid as he could, and every muscle inside his body wastrembling in anticipation.

It was then that Umisk saw him, and his portly little body became suddenlyas motionless as a stone.

"Hello!" exclaimed Baree, wiggling his whomle body and talking as plainly asa human tongue could talk. "Do you care if I play with you?"