72 MOOSWA 



Muskwa, &quot;for you can t scent; but when I in 

 vestigated with my nose, I knew that it was Man. 

 There was the same horrible smell that came to 

 me once as two of these creatures passed down 

 the river in a canoe, whilst I was eating Berries 

 by the water s edge. But you spend most of 

 your time begging a living from these Men, Jack 

 tell me if they generally walk as I do, on all 

 fours ? &quot; 



&quot;Long ago they did, Muskwa; when their 

 brains were small, like yours. Then they devel 

 oped, and got more sense, and learned to balance 

 themselves on their hind-legs.&quot; 



&quot; What s the use of having four legs and only 

 using two ? &quot; grunted Bear, with a dissatisfied air. 



&quot; You 11 find out, my Fat Friend, if you come 

 within range of the Ironstick what did Niche- 

 mous try to do ? After that you won t ask silly 

 questions, for Franois will take your skin, dry 

 it in the sun, and put your brainless head on a 

 tree as a Medicine Offering to the Hunt Spirit; 

 and he 11 take your big carcass home, and The 

 Boy will help him eat it. Don t bother me 

 about Man if you want to know his ways, 

 come and see for yourself.&quot; 



&quot; I d like to, Clerk,&quot; answered Bear, humbly. 



&quot; They re going to build a house,&quot; asserted 

 Whisky-Jack. 



