A WOLVERINE IN SIGHT. 249 



under the deceptive influence of light and shadow, 

 assumed a likeness to the body of an animal. But in 

 vain. 



" Wai, fellurs," chuckled Jake, " I'd take my eyes to 

 town for repairs, ef I wur ye. This old coon can't see 

 as he used to could, but he sees that rotted carcajou as 

 plain as Chimbly Rock. Look agin." 



In obedience to this mandate, the young men again 

 cast their eyes over everything in the neighbourhood 

 on the ground, on the face of the bluff, on the summit ; 

 but no carcajou could they see. 



" Wai, yer orter be ashamed o' yerselves to be beat 

 at seein' by one as old as I am. Look at that big limb," 

 he continued, "comin' right out torst us. D'yer see 

 anything roostin' up thur ?" 



The young hunters started as they followed their 

 companion's direction, and saw, stretched upon a branch 

 which crossed an open space among the foliage, the 

 sturdy hunched figure of a wolverine plainly relieved 

 against the sky. The distance was about forty yards ; 

 and notwithstanding that the wind, such as there was, 

 blew towards them, and that their conversation had 

 been carried on in the lowest whispers, the wary beast 

 seemed to have suspected the presence of danger. They 

 could see him casting his inquisitive glances from side 

 to side ; and he occasionally snuffed the breeze with the 

 air of a connoisseur, as if to detect the taint of hidden 

 foes. 



Apparently he satisfied himself that his suspicions 



