102 The IIo))ic of ilic Wok'cnnc and Beaver. 



and the great coarse trail of the ever-gallopinjj, 

 ubiquitous wolverene. Scores of crows perched on 

 the trees around, sleepily digesting their frequent 

 meals. Judging by the state of the snow and 

 collection of dung the consumption must have gone 

 on for weeks, yet the supply seemed as plentiful as 

 ever." 



Split open or boiled over the fire by means of 

 two sticks for handles, a (iwq fresh fish is a great 

 delicacy, and our friends were proceeding to enjoy 

 their supper when a shout in the distance announced 

 that Pierre Lefranc was on his way back. Paul 

 slipped on his snow-shoes and advanced to meet 

 him, and was highly delighted to learn that a moose 

 " yard" had been found within a short distance and 

 the "sign" showed plainly that it was still frequented. 

 Whilst Paul was stooping down to play^with the 

 dogs that had accompanied the trapper, he caught a 

 glimpse of the camp, and heedless of the cold, stood 

 for a few minutes in silent admiration. Night had 

 fallen, and the fresh logs heaped on by Groves to 

 welcome the Canadian threw up sheets of ruddy 

 flame, that roared in the pine branches above them 

 and sent upward a million of sparks that coruscated 

 far overhead before disappearing for ever. The 

 pure sheeting with which the earth was covered 

 flashed back the light of the fire as though the 



