THE PUNISHING OF PISEW 215 



besides, it would not do to remain long in the 

 vicinity for fear of being seen. Swiftly, stealthily, 

 he slunk to the very spot, and pushed his round 

 head through a little bush-opening that seemed 

 designed by Carcajou to conceal his stolen Meat. 

 Yes, it was there. Pisew seized the bacon hun 

 grily and started to back out with his booty. As 

 he did so there was the swishing rush of a straight- 

 ening-up Birch-sapling, and something gripped 

 him by the throat, carrying him off his feet. 

 The startled Cat screamed, and wrenched vio 

 lently at the snare as he scooted skyward. 

 His contortions caused the strong cod-line 

 which was about his neck to carry away from 

 the swaying Birch, and he dropped back to earth, 

 only to find himself fighting with a heavy stick 

 which dangled at the other end of the line. 



What a fiendish thing the snare-stick seemed to 

 Pisew. It fought back it jumped, and reeled, 

 and struck him in the ribs, and tugged at the 

 snare which was strangling him, and ran away 

 from him, pulling the hot-cord tight about his 

 throat with the strength of Muskwa ; it was a 

 Devil-stick surely also would it kill him if no 

 help came. The bacon fell from his mouth, and 

 he tried to call for assistance, but only a queer, 

 guzzling, half-choked gasp came from his clogged 

 throat. 



