66 MOOSWA 



Boy has an Ironstick, and there will be great 

 sport here all Winter. That s what Frai^ois 

 said, and I think it is true not that a Half- 

 breed sticks to the truth over-close.&quot; 



The Hunt-fear settled over the gathering. 

 No one had heart even to check the spiteful 

 gibes of their feathered Clerk. The Law of the 

 Boundaries, and the suspicious evidence of its 

 violation that pointed to Lynx, were forgotten 

 which was, perhaps, a good thing for that unprin 

 cipled poacher. 



Black King was first to break the fear- 

 silence. 



&quot; Subjects, draw close, for already it has come 

 to us that we have need of all our wisdom, and 

 all our loyalty one to another, and the full 

 strength of our laws.&quot; 



Silently they bunched up ; then he pro 

 ceeded : 



&quot; Fran9ois is a great Hunter. He has the 

 cunning of Wolverine, the strength of Muskwa, 

 the speed of mine own people, and the endurance 

 of Mooswa. Besides, there are the Traps, and the 

 Ironstick; and Snares made from Deer-sinew and 

 Cod-line. The soft strong cord which Man weaves. 

 Also will this Evil Slayer, who is but a vile Half- 

 breed, have the White Powder of Death in a tiny 

 bottle such a small bottle, and yet holding 



