150 THE FUR TRADE OF AMERICA 



trapper in the North worth a season ? If I had been asked that ten 

 years ago, I would have answered instantly from $700 to #1000; 

 for that was a good average for a man who didn't find a gold mine 

 of silver fox or marten. To-day, I would not answer that ques- 

 tion. Silver fox farmers who succeed, muskrat renters who go 

 fifty-fifty — must have doubled that and trebled it and quadrupled 

 it in 1919. But prices and fashions may veer as the wind veers ; 

 and I answer as the Mexicans used to answer me, when I asked 

 political questions that were chancy : "Quien sabe ?" 



