156 THE DRAMA OF THE FORESTS 



of "sow-belly." For some time Oo-koo-hoo sat holding a 

 little fresh-cut tobacco in his hand, until Gibeault, taking 

 notice, asked him why he did not smoke it. 



"The Great Company always gives me a pipe," replied the 

 hunter. 



The runner for the free trader, not to be outdone, gave him 

 a pipe. 



"I suppose," began Oo-koo-hoo, "that your heart is glad to 



see me." 



"Yes," replied Gibeault, "and I want to get some of your 

 fur." 



"That is all very well, but I will see which way you look at 

 me," returned the Indian. 



"Have you much fur? " asked the half-breed. 



" I have enough to pay my debt to the Great Company." 



"Yes, I know, but you will have some left, and I want to do 

 business with you, so bring out your furs and I will treat you 

 right." 



"That sounds well, but you must remember that though the 

 Great Company charges more, their goods are the best goods, 

 while yours are all cheap rubbish." 



Thinking the opportunity a favourable one, Gibeault as- 

 sumed an air of friendly solicitude and said: 



"The Company has cheated your people so many hundred 

 years that they are now very rich. No wonder they can af- 

 ford to give you high prices for your furs. Free Trader Spear 

 is a poor but honest man. It is to your great advantage to 

 trade part of your furs with me in order to make it worth 

 his while to send me here every winter. As you know, my 

 presence here compels the Company to pay full value for 

 your furs and so you are the one who reaps the greatest 

 benefit." 



"That is partly true," answered Oo-koo-hoo, "but I must 

 be loyal to the Company. You are here to-day and away to- 



