*rHE CAZSTADA GROUSE. 121 



spruce — ''hiii when I got there I couldn't see any- 

 body." 



" Did you look for any signs? " 



"No.'' 



" Perhaps it was that guide," I replied. I'll go and 

 see if he has been standing there, and if he has, we 

 know that he is up to some mischief." 



I started off accordingly, and on reaching the tree I 

 found the fresh imprints of moccasins on the moss that 

 grew at its base. Convinced of the correctness of my 

 suspicions, I returned and asked the cook if he had lost 

 anything, and he replied that he had not. 



" You had better see," said I. 



Both of us then commenced examining the food, pots, 

 pans, and knives and forks, and found them all right. 

 The idea then suddenly dawned upon me to look for the 

 bow and arrow I had left in the tent, and the moment I 

 entered I saw that it was gone, and also the ornaments 

 which my companion had taken from the cemetery. 



'' That guide has been here," I exclaimed. 



" Not to my know\edge," was the response. 



" He has," said I, "because the trinkets and weapons 

 brought from the graveyard have been stolen." 



"Well," he repli'^d, after being convinced that they 

 had been taken, " I've read about the cunning of Indians, 

 but I would not believe they could steal like that and get 

 away without my knowledge." 



As nothing could be done just then, we set about pre- 

 paring dinner, and by the time the others returned, at 

 the unfashionable hour of two o'clock, we had roasted 

 beaver tail, roast deer's head, venison stew, and other 

 palatable dishes ready for them. While we were doing 

 justice to the repast, the loss of the trinkets was men- 

 tioned, and after an animated discussion about the mat- 

 ter it was resolved to give the guide five dollars as a pres- 

 ent for being such a good thief. 



6 



