156 MOOSWA 



King had killed only when hunger forced him 

 to it ; but here was Fra^ois, a Man, killing, 

 killing always killing everything. And for 

 what ? Not to eat ; for the Breed had flour 

 in plenty, and meat that was already killed. It 

 was not because of hunger; but simply to steal 

 their coats, that he or some other Man or 

 Woman might look fine in fur-clothes stolen 

 from the Boundary Dwellers at the sacrifice 

 of their lives. 



Again Black Fox heard a leaf sawing its whis 

 pering way down through the willow wands : he 

 even did not turn his head. But it was wings 

 this time ; and a cheery, astonished voice sang 

 out: &quot;Hello, Your Majesty, what are you doing 

 there with your hands in the snow feeling for 

 a Mole s nest? &quot; 



&quot; Praise to Wiesahkechack ! &quot; cried the King ; 

 &quot; is that you, Jay ? I m trapped at last,&quot; he con 

 tinued, &quot; and you must fly like the wind and get 

 some of our Comrades to help me out.&quot; 



&quot; There s a poor chance,&quot; said the Bird, de 

 spondently ; &quot; as you know, none of us can spring 

 that big Trap but Muskwa, and we 11 never get 

 him out now he is dead to the world.&quot; 



&quot;What am I to do?&quot; moaned the King 

 &quot; we must try something.&quot; 



&quot; Oh, we shall get you out of here. I 11 call 



