THE TRAPPING OF BLACK FOX 161 



and chiselled some of the white inner bark, chew 

 ing it to a pulp. &quot; Hold this in your mouth, 

 Pisew, and keep it warm/ Beaver commanded, 

 passing it to Lynx. &quot; We shall manage to stop 

 the blood, I think.&quot; 



&quot; You will poison our King,&quot; said Jack, &quot; if 

 you put that stuff on the wound after Slink has 

 held it in his mouth.&quot; 



Beaver paid no attention, but stripped three 

 little threads from the cloth-like tree-lining, and 

 drew the fibre through his teeth to soften it. 

 Then he spoke to the Bird : &quot; Come down here, 

 Jack, and hold these threads your beak should 

 be as good as a needle at this job. Now for 

 it, Your Majesty ! &quot; Umisk continued, and one 

 might have fancied he was a celebrated surgeon 

 rolling up his sleeves before going at a difficult 

 amputation. 



&quot; This is horribly bitter stuff,&quot; muttered Pisew 

 &quot; it tastes like the Wolf-willow berry.&quot; 



&quot; Good for the wound will dry up the bleed 

 ing ! &quot; affirmed the little Doctor curtly. 



&quot; Is there anything the matter with this Bait, 

 King any White Death-powder ? &quot; he asked. 

 &quot;If not, stick it in your mouth it will brace 

 you up, and take your mind off the leg.&quot; 



&quot;There is no White Powder in it I can 

 guarantee that,&quot; snickered Jay. &quot; I flew in the 



u 



