LIFTING THE TRAPS. 217 



had been searching for insects or stretching himself. 

 As the sun set, we once more regained the path, well 

 fatigued with our rough and protracted tramp, myself 

 not a little disgusted that I had seen nothing sufficient- 

 ly large to be worthy of considering fit game for the 

 heavy missiles which both my barrels contained ; in 

 fact, I could not help openly grumbling that I should 

 have been inveigled into such a useless journey, to 

 which I was informed that I might thank my stars we 

 had got back safe. With this answer for the time I 

 liad to be satisfied, but that evening the mystery came 

 out, and the selfish motives that had dictated my 

 companionship being sought. I will endeavor to 

 state the story as told by the trapper. 



Last April, when the snow was on the ground, I 

 laid out the traps we have to-day lifted. The travel- 

 ing was very bad at the time, for it was near the 

 break-up of winter. I got along the ridge all right ; 

 but as I thought the vv^alking would be better to re- 

 turn as I had come, I had determined to retrace my 

 steps. I had scarcely turned about when I found to 

 my surprise, the print of an animal following my old 

 track. I looked in every direction to see where the 

 follower could be, but was unable to detect him. 



However, I knew well that the skulking villain was 

 10 



