176 A WOLVERINE. 



latter, as not unfrequently happens, drag away the 

 trap. 



By noon the hunters had more than half finished 

 their task, and accordingly they retired a little beneath 

 the forest to rest and refresh themselves with their 

 mid-day meal. From the position they occupied they 

 could command a view of the lake, and while discussing 

 the probable number of beavers they expected to take 

 the next morning, their attention was suddenly arrested 

 by a long, low, and brownish animal, apparently track- 

 ing their footsteps by the margin of the water. 



" Look yander, boyees," exclaimed Jake ; "jest squint 

 at that varmint. I guess he thinks we've been settin' 

 marten traps." 



" A wolverine ! " cried Pierre, picking up his rifle. 



"Ay," said Jake; "! guess the skunk 11 be welcome 

 to all he'll pick up arter us this morninV 



They continued to observe the movements of the 

 strange animal, which faithfully followed the route 

 taken by the party in their circuit of the lakes. At 

 each " run " where they had halted to lay down a trap, 

 it stopped for a short time and seemed to search th$ 

 spot carefully, even looking for some moments into the 

 water. The hunters could see that the stakes to which 

 the various chains were attached did not escape his 

 observation. Several of these he caught between his 

 teeth and shook, as if with the intention of tearing 

 them up. They withstood his efforts, however, and 

 finding this he continued his search. 



