i 4 MOOSWA 



to the foothills of the big mountains, to the 

 head-waters of the Smoky, and have seen much 

 of Brother Umisk s clever work, and careful, cau 

 tious way of life. I never heard any one say a 

 word against his honesty.&quot; 



&quot; That s something,&quot; interrupted Jay ; &quot; that s 

 more than can be said for many of us.&quot; 



The big melancholy eyes of the Moose simply 

 blinked solemnly, and he proceeded : &quot; Brother 

 Umisk has constructed dams across streams, and 

 turned miles of forest into rich, moist Muskeg, 

 where the loveliest long grasses grow most de 

 licious eating. These dams are like the great hard 

 roads you have seen the White Men cut through 

 our country to pull their stupid carts over ; I 

 can cross the softest Muskeg on one and my 

 sharp hoofs hardly bury to the fetlock. Is that 

 not work worthy of an Animal King ? And he 

 has more forethought, more care for the Winter, 

 than any of us. Some of you have seen his stock 

 of food.&quot; 



&quot; I have,&quot; eagerly interrupted Nekik, the 

 Otter. 



&quot; And I,&quot; said Fisher. 



&quot; I too, Mooswa,&quot; cried Mink. 



&quot; I have seen it,&quot; quoth Muskrat ; &quot; it s just 

 beautiful ! &quot; 



&quot;You tell them about Umisk s food supply, 



