198 CANADIAN WILDS. 



should such happen one cannot foretell what 

 the sequel may be. 



To avoid therefore all mishaps the hunter 

 draws his belt axe, and cuts a forked young 

 birch or alder, the handle part being about four 

 feet long, at the extremity of which a fork is 

 left with prongs of five or six inches long. 



Presenting this to the trapped beast, he 

 snaps at it ; the trapper watches his chance and 

 deftly slips the fork over his neck and with a 

 quick downward push, marten, fox or fisher is 

 secured. The left hand is exchanged for the 

 forked stick, the right foot is placed on his hind 

 quarters to keep him from clawing, then go for 

 his heart with the right hand. One trying for 

 the first time may have some little difficulty, but 

 after a few animals have passed thru his hands 

 he will as well as I do, know the ART OF PUL- 

 LING HEARTS. 



During my many years as a fur trader, part 

 of the time has been passed on the frontier 

 where opposition is keen and hunters, both In- 

 dians and whites, are careless in preparing their 

 peltries for market. As long as they are dried 

 in a way to keep, is all sufficient for them. Mus- 

 quash will be simply drawn over a bent willow 

 and dried in the blazing sun or near the camp 

 fire. The little animal is hastily skinned and 

 considerable fat is left on the skin, which, by 



