2i8 EXPLORATIONS IN THE FAR NORTH 



to hold a great council to consider ways and means by which 

 they might rid themselves of the common enemy. It being 

 reported that the dreaded monster was approaching, the mink 

 was sent out to reconnoitre. Catching sight of huge footprints 

 in the distance, the mink, fearing to run across the crust of the 

 snow, dived beneath it and burrowed his way to the track. He 

 recognized it at once and hastened back to give the alarm. The 

 assembly fled in a body and did not halt until they had passed 

 through a narrow defile in a lofty range of hills. The carcajou 

 then climbed a tall tree, and reported, " From here I can see a 

 lake. There is a point extending into it and enclosing a bay 

 shaped like a beaver house. Let us go out on the lake, and 

 turn back into the bay, there the lynx and I will kill our enemy 

 the secak." 



In the meantime, the secak had been disturbed at the time 

 the mink came upon his trail. Turning back upon the track, 

 he soon came upon the footprints which the mink had dis- 

 covered. Divining the cause of the tunnel under the snow he 

 followed it to the deserted camp, where he found an old marten 

 which had been deserted by the frightened counsellors. The 

 marten taunted him, saying, " You are sharp-nosed, you have 

 narrow bony jaws. All of the other animals run away from 

 you, because you are so ugly." 



"My grandmother, here is a little hair-grease for you," said 

 the secak, throwing some of his mephitic oil upon, and instantly 

 killing, the old marten He set off upon the track of the flee- 

 ing multitude, following them until he came out upon the lake, 

 where he was seen by the pursued. His tail appeared like a 

 great sail and the ice cracked beneath his tread. The carcajou, 

 having taken command, concealed his forces under the snow 

 and dug tunnels that they might communicate with each other. 

 The secak came up to the carcajou, which was sitting beside 

 one of the holes: " Why do you all run away across the hills?" 



" We are afraid of such an ugly brute as you," replied the 

 carcajou, diving into the snow, as the angry skunk strove to 

 cover him with its oil. The carcajou came up through one of 

 the numerous passages, and laid hold of the secak from below, 

 crying, " I have him! Come, everybody! Strike him! Spear 

 him!" 



They all came pouring forth from their hiding places, bring- 



