24 THE MOOSE 



bolstered up to it by — rabbit I Undoubtedly, the 

 rabbit was absolutely indispensable, and by stupidly 

 contracting the mysterious disease, as they never 

 failed to do every seven years, the rabbits had dis- 

 pensed with themselves. 



Apukwa cast about in her fertile brain for some 

 plan which should better things a trifle for herself, 

 and came to the conclusion that she ought to attach 

 herself to some great strong, mighty creature, the 

 very greatest and strongest and mightiest creature 

 in the world, who would fight all battles, provide 

 food, and fend for the worn-out wolf generally. 



The difficulty was how to find this superior and 

 invincible leader. The wolf's lengthy experience 

 had taught her that it is not always the largest 

 animal who is the bravest and wisest. Size often 

 counts for very little among the beasts. Cunning and 

 strategy, and never-failing courage were the only 

 attributes worth having. Which of the bush crea- 

 tures had these qualities most highly developed ? 



Apukwa answered her own query mistakenly, 

 mostly because she did not give herself sufficient 

 time in which to think it out. However, as she 

 said to herself philosophically later, when launched 

 well into the awkward results, a wolf who never 



