70 MOOSWA 



Francois needs no help. For five years he has 

 followed me for my Black Coat for five Win 

 ters I have eluded his Traps, and his Baits, and 

 the cough of his Ironstick. But one never 

 knows when the evil day is to come. Last 

 Winter Fran9ois trapped on Hay River. I was 

 there ; as you know, it is a great place for Black 

 Currants.&quot; 



&quot; Do you eat the bitter, sour Berries, Your 

 Majesty ? &quot; queried Marten. 



u No, Silly ; except for the flavour of them that 

 is in the flesh of Gay Cock, the Pheasant. But 

 it is in every child s book of the Fox tribe, that 

 where Berries are thick, the Birds are many.&quot; 



&quot; How comes Francois here to the Pelican this 

 year, then ? &quot; growled Blue Wolf. 



&quot; Because of the thing Men call Fate,&quot; an 

 swered Black King, learnedly; &quot;though they do 

 not understand the shape of it. We call it the 

 Whisper of Wiesahkechack. Wiesahke whis 

 pered to me that because of the fire there were 

 no Berries at Hay River, that the Birds had all 

 come to the Pelican ; and I have no doubt that 

 He, who is the King of evil Mischief Makers, 

 has also talked in thought-words to Fran9ois, that 

 here is much fur to be had for the killing.&quot; 



cc I should like to see Fran9ois,&quot; exclaimed 

 Nekik, the Otter. 



