FRED AND THE OLD TRAPPER. 



99 



See how he has torn this old tree top up and gnawed those logs 

 and those trees, he has been past here. He has gone straight back 

 down the hill. Now he will keep along this side hill, for he may 

 cross this hollow back and forth three or four times before we find 

 him fast. Here is the trail again, he has gone back up the hill. 

 We will work up the hill so as to keep on the highest ground." 



"You have followed these bear trails a good many times, haven't 

 you ?" 



"Yes, in 1900 I followed one seven days that broke the chain 

 and went up with the trap, and then another party ran across the 

 bear and killed it. I did not even get my trap back. They said 

 they hung the trap up in a tree and some one stole it." 



"Hold on Fred, what is that away down there in the hollow?" 



"That is the bear, he is trying to climb that tree, I do not 

 think he will make it, for the clog is fast between those two small 

 saplings that stand by the large tree. We will go a little closer, 

 there no\. ! when he turns his head sideways take good aim and 

 put the ball square in the ear. A good job, Fred, he never knew 

 what hurt him. Now make a slit in the skin, right at the point of 

 the breast bone, and then stick him as you would a hog. Do not 

 cut the skin too much. Now Fred get the clamps out of the knap- 

 sack and we will see if we can get him out of the trap. Now we 

 will skin him as you would a beef with the exception, we will leave 

 the claws on, for the skins are a much better price where the feet 

 are left. We will be very careful not to cut the hide, for they 

 skin about as mean as a hog does. Well now we will hang the 

 foreparts up in this tree and take the skin and the saddles and 

 pull for camp." 



"Are you not going to set the trap?" 



"No, it will be dark before we get to camp now and we have 

 got a heavy load to carry, in fact, if it was anything but bear, we 

 would think we could not carry it." 



"My, but this is getting heavy." 



"Yes, Fred, but this all goes in with trapping and besides it 

 will improve the appetite." 



"I guess so, for I am as hungry as a wolf." 



