164 MOOSWA 



That will give our Chief a chance to get well ; for 

 Francois, thinking he s dead, will not try again 

 to catch him.&quot; 



&quot; I don t want my reputation ruined this way,&quot; 

 whined Pisew. 



&quot; Ruin your reputation ! &quot; sneered the Bird. 

 &quot; That is rich ! It s like Skunk complaining of 

 a bad odour when you re about.&quot; 



&quot; You go with Pisew and Black King, Jack,&quot; 

 ordered Umisk, who had taken full management 

 of the arrangements ; &quot; better be off now before 

 the cold-sting gets into the wound.&quot; He helped 

 Black Fox on Lynx s back, and started them off; 

 then struck out in a different direction himself. 



The Red Widow s first intimation of this great 

 calamity was Jack s thin voice calling for help to 

 get Black Fox up into the Burrow. How the 

 old lady wept. &quot; First it was little Cross-stripes, 

 my Babe,&quot; she moaned, caressing the King with 

 her soft cheek ; &quot; now it s you, my beautiful Son. 

 Poor Lad ! you 11 never be able to run again.&quot; 



&quot; Oh, yes I shall, Mother,&quot; replied Black Fox. 

 &quot; The leg will soon heal up, and I 11 manage all 

 right. I m only too thankful to be out of that 

 horrible Trap.&quot; 



&quot; Bless Umisk s clever little heart ! &quot; cried the 

 Widow in her gratitude, as she stroked the black 

 head with her paw. 



