254 



had a long line of marten traps — saple line, 

 he called it — following a ridge for nearly ten 

 ujuiiaiiui siicf m i} eS) crossing the river and returning on the 

 LUfll/if/g l/J/u j-] ier s ide. And down at the lower end was 



a rough log cabin where we could find shelter 

 if overtaken by night or a sudden storm. 



The traps, which were scattered at inter- 

 vals along the ridges, were little pens made 

 of stakes or slabs or stones. Inside the pen 

 was a bait of fish or flesh ; and over the nar- 

 row entrance slanted a weighted log resting 

 on a trigger, so arranged that when an ani- 

 mal entered and seized the bait the deadfall 

 came down promptly and broke his back. 

 As he visited the traps Newell frequently 

 carried a drag, a couple of flayed 

 muskrats tied to a string, which 

 he dragged along behind him, 

 making a scented trail from one 

 trap to another. Any 

 marten crossing this 

 trail would turn and 

 /|; follow it, and so come 

 straight to one of the 

 \ traps. 



