196 A " PAINTER " DISCOVERED. 



raained of day, and in the murky light the eye failed 

 to distinguish anything with accuracy. The dark 

 columns of the trees stretched away into vagueness, 

 while here and there the white trunks of the silver 

 birches seemed to start like ghosts out of the gloom, 

 their shining arms stretched athwart the sable foliage 

 of the firs, and the intricate tracery of their branches 

 outlined against the star-gemmed sky. 



From afar down the woods came a sudden cry a 

 cry so wild and demon-like that the hunters immedi- 

 ately stopped to listen. Again came the hideous wail, 

 resounding sharply through the silent forest. 



" A painter ! " exclaimed Jake. " I guess the var- 

 mint is gettin' peckish, an' he's takin' a poke round fur 

 grub. The very leaves shiver at the skunk's sqwawks, 

 an' nary a beast or bird but does the same when he 

 sings out that a-way." 



The animal as yet seemed at a considerable distance, 

 and the party continued their walk, occasionally stop- 

 ping to listen as the wail of the cougar was borne to 

 their ears. Sometimes the snapping of a twig or the 

 rustling of the branches arrested their attention ; and 

 on listening carefully, the nibbling of the Canada porcu- 

 pine could be heard as he plied his mischievous trade 

 of stripping the bark from the trees. 



Frequently small animals skurried past ; and on one 

 occasion, apparently on their trail, came the lynx : but 

 although the trappers stepped aside behind the shelter 

 of the nearest tree-trunks, the wary beast seemed to 



