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over the hard crust。 It was two or three miles to the ravens'
gathering； and； as before； it proved to be over a cedar brake
where was a deer yard。
Skookum knew all about it。 He rushed into the woods； filled with
the joy of martial glory。 But speedily came running out again as
hard as he could； yelling 〃yow； yow； yowl〃 for help； while
swiftly following； behind him were a couple of gray wolves。
Quonab waited till they were within forty yards； then； seeing the
men； the wolves slowed up and veered； Quonab fired； one of the
wolves gave a little； doglike yelp。 Then they leaped into the
bushes and were lost to view。
A careful study of the snow showed one or two triffing traces of
blood。 In the deer yard they found at least a dozen carcasses of
deer killed by the wolves； but none very recent。 They saw but
few deer and nothing more of the wolves； for the crust had made
all the country easy； and both kinds fled before the hunters。
Exploring a lower level of willow country in hopes of finding
beaver delayed them； and it was afternoon when they returned to
the half…way shanty； to find everything as they left it； except
that their Pack of furs had totally disappeared。
Of course； the hard crust gave no sign of track。 Their first
thought was of the old enemy； but； seeking far and near for
evidence； they found pieces of an ermine skin； and a quarter mile
farther； the rest of it； then； at another place； fragments of a
muskrat's skin。 Those made it look like the work of the
trapper's enemy； the wolverine； which； though rare； was surely
found in these hills。 Yes！ there was a wolverine scratch mark；
and here another piece of the rat skin。 It was very clear who
was the thief。
〃He tore up the cheapest ones of the lot anyway；〃 said Rolf。
Then the trappers stared at each other significantly only the
cheap ones destroyed； why should a wolverine show such
discrimination？ There was no positive sign of wolverine； in
fact； the icy snow gave no sign of anything。 There was little
doubt that the tom furs and the scratch marks were there to
mislead； that this was the work of a human robber； almost
certainly Hoag。
He had doubtless seen them leave in the morning； and it was
equally sure； since he had had hours of start； he would now be
far away。
〃Ugh！ Give him few days to think he safe； then I follow and
settle all；〃 and this time the Indian clearly meant to end the
matter。
Chapter 45。 The Subjugation of Hoag
A feller as weeps for pity and never does a finger…tap to help
is 'bout as much use as an overcoat on a drowning man。 Sayings
of Si Sylvanne。
SOME remarkable changes of weather made some remarkable changes
in their plan and saved their enemy from immediate molestation。
For two weeks it was a succession of thaws and there was much
rain。 The lake was covered with six inches of water； the river
had a current above the ice； that was rapidly eating； the latter
away。 Everywhere there were slush and wet snow that put an end
to travel and brought on the spring with a rush。
Each night there was； indeed； a trifling frost； but each day's
sun seemed stronger； and broad； bare patches of ground appeared
on all sunny slopes。
On the first crisp day the trappers set out to go the rounds；
knowing full well that this was the end of the season。
Henceforth for six months deadfall and snare would lie idle and
unset。
They went their accustomed line； carrying their snowshoes； but
rarely needing them。 Then they crossed a large track to which
Quonab pointed； and grunted affirmatively as Rolf said 〃Bear？〃
Yes！ the bears were about once more； their winter sleep was over。
Now they were fat and the fur was yet prime； in a month they
would be thin and shedding。 Now is the time for bear hunting
with either trap or dog。
Doubtless Skookum thought the party most fortunately equipped in
the latter respect； but no single dog is enough to bay a bear。
There must be three or four to bother him behind； to make him
face about and fight； one dog merely makes him run faster。
They had no traps； and knowing that a spring bear is a far
traveller； they made no attempt to follow。
The deadfalls yielded two martens； but one of them was spoiled by
the warm weather。 They learned at last that the enemy had a
trap…line； for part of which he used their deadfalls。 He had
been the rounds lately and had profited at least a little by
their labours。
The track； though two days old； was not hard to follow； either on
snow or ground。 Quonab looked to the lock of his gun； his lower
lip tightened and he strode along。
〃What are you going to do； Quonab？ Not shoot？〃
〃When I get near enough；〃 and the dangerous look in the red man's
eye told Rolf to be quiet and follow。
In three miles they passed but three of his marten traps very
lazy trapping and then found a great triangle of logs by a
tree with a bait and signs enough to tell the experienced eye
that； in that corner； was hidden a huge steel trap for bear。
They were almost too late in restraining the knowledge… hunger of
Skookum。 They went on a mile or two and realized in so doing
that； however poor a trapper the enemy might be； he was a good
tramper and knew the country。
At sundown they came to their half…way shelter and put up there
for the night。 Once when Rolf went out to glimpse the skies
before turning in； he heard a far tree creaking and wondered； for
it was dead calm。 Even Skookum noticed it。 But it was not
repeated。 Next morning they went on。
There are many quaint sounds in the woods at all times； the
rasping of trees； at least a dozen different calls by jays； twice
as many by ravens； and occasional notes from chicadees； grouse；
and owls。 The quadrupeds in general are more silent； but the red
squirrel is ever about and noisy； as well as busy。
Far…reaching sounds are these echoes of the woods some of them
very far。 Probably there were not five minutes of the day or
night when some weird； woodland chatter； scrape； crack； screech；
or whistle did not reach the keen ears of that ever…alert dog。
That is； three hundred times a day his outer ear submitted to his
inner ear some report of things a…doing； which same report was
as often for many days disregarded as of no interest or value。
But this did not mean that he missed anything； the steady tramp；
tramp of their feet； while it dulled all sounds for the hunter；
seemed to have no effect on Skookum。 Again the raspy squeal of
some far tree reached his inmost brain； and his hair rose as he
stopped and gave a low 〃woof。〃
The hunters held still； the wise ones always do； when a dog says
〃Stop！〃 They waited。 After a few minutes it came again merely
the long…drawn creak of a tree bough； wind…rubbed on its
neighbour。
And yet； 〃Woof； woof； woof；〃 said Skookum； and ran ahead。
〃Come back； you little fool！〃 cried Rolf。