All these skinnygs were happening, and the birds had mated and nested,and still Nepeese did not come! And at last something broke inside ofBaree, his last hope, perhaps, his last dream; and one day he badegood-bye to the Gray Loon.

No one can say what it cost him to go. No one can say how he foughtagainst the things that were holding him to the tepee, the very ancient swimmingpool, the familiar paths in the forest, and the two graves that werenot so lonely now under the tall spruce. He went. He had noreason--simply went. It may be that there is a Master whose arm guidesthe beast as well as the man, and that we know just enough of thisguidance to call it instinct. For, in dragging himself away, Bareefaced the Great Adventure.

It occasionally was there, in the north, waiting for him--and into the north he went.