244 '^^^^ Home jf the Wolverene and Beaver. 



winter retreat, killed by a blow on the nose, and 

 deposited in the hand-sleigh. So the hunters pro- 

 ceeded until a dozen animals had fallen victims, 

 when the approach of dusk warned them to desist, 

 and they proceeded to camp with their game. 



Pierre was in advance dragging the little sleigh, 

 and when within a quarter of a mile of the camp, 

 Paul remarked that he came to a standstill and 

 examined the snow carefully. 



"What is the matter, Pierre.''" asked the young 

 man. 



The Canadian pointed to the track of a pair of 

 snow-shoes, not going straight to or from the camp, 

 but seemingly following a circular direction, as 

 though the wearer had wished to examine the 

 locality without approaching too closely. 



" It must be Groves, Pierre, let us hurry on and 

 join him." 



" Ce Ji' est pas Monsieur Groves, it is an Indian." 



" How can you tell that.''" 



" You look at the track, Jllonsienr Paul. Your 

 friend he very good cJiasseur, but he no make a 

 trail coninie qa. That one Indian, who been walk 

 all his life on snow-shoes." 



" Paul looked attentively, and saw that the hunter 

 was right. The' footprints were even in depth and 

 equidistant, \\hilst the furrow left by dragging the 



