TRACKERS OF THE NORTH. 35 



underfoot, I decided to go and set up a line of 

 marten traps through a stretch of green timber, 

 between two large lakes. The distance was con- 

 sidered about eight miles. 



I took an Indian youth as companion, for it 

 is lonely work setting trap in the deep gloom 

 of the forest alone. Our blankets, axes, two 

 days' provisions, a square of cotton that we call 

 a canopy, to keep off the Avind, and my rifle, 

 made up our necessary equipment, with a few 

 baits to start work upon. 



During the summer I had got an Indian to 

 leave an old canoe on the shore of the big lake 

 where we expected to come out ; this would save 

 our coming back on our tracks, as we could re- 

 turn by the canoe route, which was considerably 

 longer, but much easier. 



We worked away all the day we left the post, 

 and when camping time came we found a pretty, 

 sheltered place, the back of a large, flat-sided 

 boulder. Ten feet in front of this lay a large 

 fallen pine tree, against which we built our fire. 

 Then we cut a lot of pitch pine dry wood in 

 short lengths and split, ready to replenish the 

 fire from time to time during the autumn night. 



It is cheerful when one wakes during the 

 night to have a bright blaze in a few moments. 



The boy had worked pretty hard all day, and, 

 after eating to repletion, rolled himself in his 



