96 MOOSWA 



Moose, putting his nose straight out and laying 

 the horn-crown back over his withers, as he 

 rushed with a peculiar side-wheel action, like a 

 pacing-horse, from the clearing. 



When the crash came Frangois jumped to his 

 feet in amazement. Before he could investigate 

 the mass of mud upheaved, a small dark-brown 

 body scuttled across the floor, clattered up the 

 wall, and vanished through the open window. 



The Breed jumped for the door, grabbing 

 a gun as he went. Throwing it open he rushed 

 out, but of course there was nothing in sight. 

 Wolverine was busily engaged in working his 

 short legs to their full capacity in an earnest 

 endeavour to place considerable territory between 

 himself and the treacherous Shack. 



Fran9ois came back grunting his dissatisfaction. 



Rod stood in speechless amazement while his 

 companion examined the pile of soft mud debris 

 critically by the aid of a candle. 



&quot; I t ought me dat ! &quot; he remarked, with satis 

 fied conviction, straightening his back and setting 

 the candle down on the rude plank table. &quot; It s 

 dat Debil of de Woods, Carcajou. Wait you, 

 Mister Wolverine ; Fra^ois s ow you some 

 treek.&quot; 



&quot; What was he after ? &quot; queried The Boy. 



&quot; After for raise Ole Nick,&quot; declared the Half- 



