22 THE DRAMA OF THE FORESTS 



chief, and drive him to sell his best furs to the opposition 

 trader in revenge. He surrendered, and the girls received ten 

 skins between them. 



At long last everyone was pleased except the unhappy 

 Factor. Gathering his purchases together, Oo-koo-hoo tied 

 up the powder, shot, tea, and sugar in the legs of the trousers; 

 placed the purchases for his wife, daughter, and granddaughters 

 in the shawl, and the rest of the goods in the blanket. 



Then he made the discovery that he had neither flour nor 

 grease. He could not start without them. The Factor's 

 blood was now almost at the boiling pitch, but he dared not 

 betray his feelings ; for the Indian was ready to take offence at 

 the slightest word, so rich and independent did he feel. Anger- 

 ing him now would simply mean adding to the harvest of the 

 opposition trader. He chewed his lower lip in the effort to 

 smother his disgust, and growled out with an angry grin: 



"Hoots, mon, ye ha'e gotten ower muckle aheady. It's 

 fair redeeklus. I jist canna gi'e ye onythin' mair ava!" 



"Ah, but, master, you have forgotten that I am a great 

 hunter. And that my son-in-law is a great hunter, too. This 

 is but the outfit for a lazy man! Besides, the Great Company 

 is rich, and I am poor. If you will be stingy, I shall not trouble 

 you more." 



Once again the Factor gave way, and handed out the flour 

 and grease. All filed out, and the Factor turned the key in the 

 door. As he walked toward the house, his spirits began to rise, 

 and he clapped the old Indian on the back good-naturedly. 

 Presently Oo-koo-hoo halted in his tracks. He had forgotten 

 something: he had nothing in case of sickness. 



"Master, you know my voyage is long; my work is hard; 

 the winter is severe. I am not very strong now : I may fall 

 ill. My wife — she is not very strong — may fall ill also. My 

 son-in-law is not very strong: he may fall ill too. My daugh- 

 ter is not. . . ." 



