THE GANADA GROUSE. 121 
spruce—‘but when I got there I couldn’t see any- 
body.” 
“Did you look for any signs?” 
ee No. ” 
“Perhaps it was that guide,” I replied. TI’ll go and 
see if he has been standing there, and if he has, we 
know that he is up to some mischief.” 
I started off accordingly, and on reaching the tree I 
found the fresh imprints of moccasins on the moss that 
grew at its base. Convinced of the correctness of my 
suspicions, I returned and asked the cook if he had lost 
anything, and he replied that he had not. 
** You had better see,”’ said I. 
Both of us then commenced examining the food, pots, 
pans, and knives and forks, and found them all right. 
The idea then suddenly dawned upon me to look for the 
bow and arrow I had left in the tent, and the moment I 
entered I saw that it was gone, and also the ornaments 
which my companion had taken from the cemetery. 
“ That guide has been here,” I exclaimed. 
“« Not to my knowledge,” was the response. 
“* He has,” said I, ‘‘ because the trinkets and weapons 
brought from the graveyard have been stolen.” 
“‘Well,” he replied, after being convinced that they 
had been taken, ‘‘ I’ve read about the cunning of Indians, 
but I would not believe they could steal like that and get 
away without my knowledge.” 
As nothing could be done just then, we set about pre- 
paring dinner, and by the time the others returned, at 
the unfashionable hour of two o’clock, we had roasted 
beaver tail, roast deer’s head, venison stew, and other 
palatable dishes ready for them. While we were doing 
justice to the repast, the loss of the trinkets was men- 
tioned, and after an animated discussion about the mat- 
ter it was resolved to give the guide five dollars as a pres- 
ent for being such a good thief. 
6 
