92 MOOSWA 



now they stand upright, and have shed the trowel 

 which they us.e in their hands.&quot; 



&quot; Wonderful ! &quot; soliloquized Umisk ; &quot; still 

 they can t do as good work. Fat Poplar ! but 

 it s a poor Lodge. The only sensible thing 

 about it is the mud roof.&quot; 



Fran9ois struck the clod sharply with his spade, 

 settling it into place. &quot; How clumsily the Man 

 works,&quot; cried Beaver; &quot;I m glad my tail is 

 where it is. What s that mud thing sticking up 

 out of the corner, Jay ? Is it a little lodge for 

 the Kit-Man ? &quot; 



&quot; That s a chimney part of the fire-trap,&quot; 

 answered Jack. 



&quot; I know what that s like,&quot; asserted Carcajou. 

 &quot; I went down one once. The Trapper locked 

 his door, thinking to keep me out while he 

 rounded up his Traps. It s a splendid trail for 

 getting in and out of a Shack. Why, I can carry 

 a side of bacon up that hole did it.&quot; 



&quot; Is n t. The Boy lovely ? &quot; muttered Mooswa. 

 &quot;Isn t his call sweet? What does Fran9ois 

 name him, Jack Man-Cub or Kit-Man ? &quot; 



Just then the Half-breed sang out : &quot; Rod, I 

 t ink me it s grub time knock off. De ole 

 s ack s e s finis .&quot; 



&quot; Rod ? &quot; mused the Moose. &quot; Yes, that is 

 what the Factor used to call him. Rod ! Rod ! 



