n8 MOOSWA 



Generally speaking, it was Nekik s entrance to 

 his river-home, and in the event of danger de 

 manding a quick disappearance, he could shoot 

 down it into the water like a bullet. It was also 

 a play-ground for Otter s family ; their favourite 

 pastime being to glide helter-skelter down the 

 chute and splash into the stream. 



&quot;What s wrong with it ?&quot; asked Black Fox. 

 &quot; There s a nasty odour of Man about, I ad 

 mit, but your Slide seems all clear and smooth.&quot; 



&quot; Something s been changed. I had a little drop 

 put in the centre for the Youngsters, and they 

 liked it thought it was like falling off a bank, 

 you know ; now that part is filled up nearly level, 

 you see. I don t know what is in it was afraid 

 to look ; but expect Fran9ois has set a Trap 

 there.&quot; 



&quot; I 11 find out,&quot; said Carcajou. &quot; These Traps 

 all work from the top I Ve discovered that 

 much. If you keep walking about, you re pretty 

 sure to get into one of them ; but if you sit down 

 and think, and scrape sideways a bit, you 11 get 

 hold of something that won t go off.&quot; Talking 

 thus, he dug with his strong claws at the edge of 

 the Slide. &quot; I thought so ! &quot; he exclaimed sud 

 denly. &quot; Here s a ring around a stake I know 

 what that means ! &quot; 



Feeling cautiously for the chain, he presently 



