QUITE A SUCCESS. 105 



hook, which he proceeded to lash to the other end of 

 the wire with deer sinews. Having accomplished this 

 to his satisfaction, he took up the partridge, and by the 

 aid of a stick he pushed one of the hooks down its 

 throat, leaving the other hook hanging from its beak. 



Lest this might excite suspicion, he doubled the wire 

 neatly under the bird's neck, and concealed both hook 

 and wire under the feathers. Having at length adjusted 

 the bait, he again left the camp, and placed the bird in 

 the same position as on the previous occasion. 



The trap was re-set, and Jake, not judging it prudent 

 to linger long about the spot, returned to his com- 

 panions. 



Early on the following day he intimated to the 

 youths that they might now accompany him ; which 

 they did with eager curiosity to ascertain the result of 

 his ingenuity. As they neared the spot where the trap 

 had been prepared, they perceived an animal something 

 larger than an English fox, stoutly made and with very 

 short legs, hobbling off, but with such difficulty that it 

 sometimes stopped altogether, and sometimes it lay 

 upon the ground and seemed to struggle violently. So 

 engaged was it in its own movements that the approach 

 of the hunters was unperceived. 



They dashed forward with a cheer which brought 

 the animal upon its legs in an instant ; but before it 

 could attempt escape three bullets passed through its 

 body. 



"I guess, wolvy, ye're sorry now ye spiled Jake 



