“Injuns let white boy go on one condition,” said Link, who had a wild desire to burst out laughing. “What is that?” was the eager question. “White boy stand on head and sing big song.” CHAPTER XXIII PIKE SPEARING THROUGH THE ICE “Well, did you ever hear the beat of that?” asked Fred, in a whisper, after Link had made his outrageous request. “Hush, we may miss something,” came from Joe. “Stand on me head, is it?” asked Teddy, thinking he had not heard aright. “Yes. Sing big song.” “What shall I sing?” “Sing, De Wacht am Rhine.” “Eh? I can’t sing a Dutch song.” “Did you hear that?” came with a suppressed laugh from Joe. “De Wacht am Rhine of all things for Teddy!” “No sing Dutch song, sing Chinese song—Chow Chow Chippy Chow!” went on Link. “Sure an’ I can’t sing Chinese ayther!” said poor Teddy. “I’ll sing The Wearin’ o’ the Green, if ye want me to.” “White boy sing French song—La Loopa de Loopa,” came from Link. “Sing Russian song—Tvitsky Smoultskyitvalitz,” put in Harry. At this there came a distinct snicker from behind the nearby trees. “What a name for a song!” murmured Fred. “His teeth will fall out if he don’t take care!” “Don’t know Frinch, or Russian,” said Teddy. “Too bad, big Injun weep much tears,” sighed Link. “White boy sing Mary Has a Little Ox?” “Eh? Do you mean, Mary Has a Little Lamb?” queried Teddy, in perplexity. “No. Injun no like lambs—bad for Injun complexion. White boy sing What is Home Without Um Alarm Clock. Sing nine verses and can go home.” “Sure an’ I niver heard o’ the song,” said Teddy. “Tell ye what I’ll sing,” he added, brightening. “I’ll sing ye a song me father made up.” “Good!” shouted both “Indians.” “But must stand on head,” added one. “Oh, dear,” groaned Teddy. “I never sang standin’ on me head before. Are ye sure you’ll let me go if I do it?” “Yes, white boy run to bosom of family.” With a great effort Teddy managed to stand on his head, balancing himself on his hands, a feat he had learned after visiting a circus which had once stopped at Lakeport. Then with even a greater effort he began to sing: “Me father had an old blind mule, An’ he was very frisky, To git upon that muley’s back He said was very risky. The mule was swift upon his feet, Could run a mile a minit! He beat the hosses at the track— Not wan of thim was in it!” “Fine song! Make Injun heap laugh!” cried Link and began to dance around as if greatly pleased. “White boy sing more such song,” put in Harry. “Injun learn ’em.” And almost out of breath poor Teddy went on, wobbling from side to side as he did so: “Me father’s mule he loved to eat Green grass and ripe pertaters, But niver cared a single cent To swallow ripe termaters! Wan day that mule stood on his head, A-facin’ two big Injuns, The Injuns roared to see him there—