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In the next trap they found a beautiful marten dead； killed at
once by the clutch of steel。 The last trap was gone； but the
tracks and the marks told a tale that any one could read； a fox
had been beguiled and had gone off； dragging the trap and log。
Not far did they need to go； held in a thicket they found him；
and Rolf prepared the mid…day meal while Quonab gathered the
pelt。 After removing the skin the Indian cut deep and carefully
into the body of the fox and removed the bladder。 Its contents
sprinkled near each of the traps was good medicine； he said； a
view that was evidently shared by Skookum。
More than once they saw the track of the big fox of the region；
but never very near the snare。 He was too clever to be fooled by
smell…spells or kidney products； no matter how temptingly
arrayed。 The trappers did； indeed； capture three red foxes； but
it was at cost of great labour。 It was a venture that did not
pay。 The silver fox was there； but he took too good care of his
precious hide。 The slightest hint of a man being near was enough
to treble his already double wariness。 They would never have
seen him near at hand； but for a stirring episode that told a
tale of winter hardship。
Chapter 39。 The Humiliation of Skookum
If Skookum could have been interviewed by a newspaper man； he
would doubtless have said： 〃I am a very remarkable dog。 I can
tree partridges。 I'm death on porcupines。 I am pretty good in a
dog fight； never was licked in fact： but my really marvellous
gift is my speed； I'm a terror to run。〃
Yes； he was very proud of his legs； and the foxes that came about
in the winter nights gave him many opportunities of showing what
he could do。 Many times over he very nearly caught a fox。
Skookum did not know that these wily ones were playing with him；
but they were； and enjoyed it immensely。
The self…sufficient cur never found this out； and never lost a
chance of nearly catching a fox。 The men did not see those
autumn chases because they were by night； but foxes hunt much by
day in winter； perforce； and are often seen； and more than once
they witnessed one of these farcical races。
And now the shining white furnished background for a much more
important affair。
It was near sundown one day when a faint fox bark was heard out
on the snow…covered ice of the lake。
〃That's for me；〃 Skookum seemed to think； and jumping up； with a
very fierce growl； he trotted forth； the men looked first from
the window。 Out on the snow； sitting on his haunches； was their
friend； the big； black silver fox。
Quonab reached for his gun and Rolf tried to call Skookum； but it
was too late。 He was out to catch that fox； their business was
to look on and applaud。 The fox sat on his haunches； grinning
apparently； until Skookum dashed through the snow within twenty
yards。 Then； that shining； black fox loped gently away； his huge
tail level out behind him； and Skookum； sure of success； raced
up； within six or seven yards。 A few more leaps now； and the
victory would be won。 But somehow he could not close that six or
seven yard gap。 No matter how he strained and leaped； the great
black brush was just so far ahead。 At first they had headed for
the shore； but the fox wheeled back to the ice and up and down。
Skookum felt it was because escape was hopeless； and he redoubled
his effort。 But all in vain。 He was only wearing himself out；
panting noisily now。 The snow was deep enough to be a great
disadvantage； more to dog than to fox； since weight counted as
such a handicap。 Unconsciously Skookum slowed up。 The fox
increased his headway； then audaciously turned around and sat
down in the snow。
This was too much for the dog。 He wasted about a lungful of air
in an angry bark； and again went after the enemy。 Again the
chase was round and round； but very soon the dog was so wearied
that he sat down； and now the black fox actually came back and
barked at him。
It was maddening。 Skookum's pride was touched。
He was in to win or break。 His supreme effort brought him within
five feet of that white…tipped brush。 Then； strange to tell； the
big black fox put forth his large reserve of speed； and making
for the woods； left Skookum far behind。 Why？ The cause was
clear。 Quonab； after vainly watching for a chance to shoot； that
would not endanger the dog； had； under cover； crept around the
lake and now was awaiting in a thicket。 But the fox's keen nose
had warned him。 He knew that the funny part was over； so ran for
the woods and disappeared as a ball tossed up the snow behind
him。
Poor Skookum's tongue was nearly a foot long as he walked meekly
ashore。 He looked depressed； his tail was depressed； so were his
ears； but there was nothing to show whether he would have told
that reporter that he 〃wasn't feeling up to his usual； to…day；〃
or 〃Didn't you see me get the best of him？〃
Chapter 40。 The Rarest of Pelts
They saw that silver fox three or four times during the winter；
and once found that he had had the audacity to jump from a high
snowdrift onto the storehouse and thence to the cabin roof； where
he had feasted on some white rabbits kept there for deadfall
baits。 But all attempts to trap or shoot him were vain； and
their acquaintance might have ended as it began； but for an
accident。
It proved a winter of much snow。 Heavy snow is the worst
misfortune that can befall the wood folk in fur。 It hides their
food beyond reach； and it checks their movements so they can
neither travel far in search of provender nor run fast to escape
their enemies。 Deep snow then means fetters； starvation； and
death。 There are two ways of meeting the problem： stilts and
snowshoes。 The second is far the better。 The caribou； and the
moose have stilts； the rabbit； the panther； and the lynx wear
snowshoes。 When there are three or four feet of soft snow； the
lynx is king of all small beasts； and little in fear of the large
ones。 Man on his snowshoes has most wild four…foots at his
mercy。
Skookum； without either means of meeting the trouble was left
much alone in the shanty。 Apparently； it was on one of these
occasions that the silver fox had driven him nearly frantic by
eating rabbits on the roof above him。
The exasperating robbery of their trap line had gone on
irregularly all winter； but the thief was clever enough or lucky
enough to elude them。
They were returning to the cabin after a three days' round； when
they saw； far out on the white expanse of the lake； two animals；
alternately running and fighting。 〃Skookum and the fox；〃 was the
first thought that came； but on entering the cabin Skookum
greeted them in person。
Quonab gazed intently at the two running specks and said： 〃One
has no tail。 I think it is a peeshoo （lynx） and a fox。〃
Rolf was making dinner。 From time to time he glanced over the
lake and saw the two