270 FUR FACTS 



the howling of the wolves would at least cause them to look in my 

 direction. 



Breaking a small branch from the tree, I fished some paper out of 

 my pocket and tied it to the end of the stick by means of a hand- 

 kerchief. Fortunately, I had some matches, so I made a temporary 

 torch which I waved aloft in a manner similar to our present-day 

 wig-wag systems. The wolves, seeming to apprehend the approach 

 of someone and probably being frightened by my torch, ha,d calmed 

 down considerably, so I availed myself of the opportunity to do a little 

 "screeching" myself. 



Evidently, I had succeeded in attracting their attention, for 

 presently I saw the lantern wave back and forth and the boat started 

 pulling in my direction. They soon landed, and the wolves, who were 

 already slinking away, were quickly dispersed by a shot from uncle's 

 gun. 



John volunteered to let uncle and me take the boat, while he fol- 

 lowed along on the bank of the river, as three people, ten pounds of 

 corn meal and a bucket of molasses (which, happily, the wolves had 

 not destroyed) was more than our small craft would carry. 



To my great delight, a roasted rabbit was waiting for me on the 

 griddle when we reached the cabin. I ate everything but the bones, 

 interspersing my feast with tales of the day's adventures. 



The next morning we took up our traps, with eight mink, six 

 muskrat and two grey fox, and moved down the river. Jack walking 

 along the bank, and uncle and I taking the boat. While we strongly 

 suspected the whereabouts of the thief who purloined our supplies, 

 we thought it better to sacrifice them rather than create any dis- 

 turbance. 



Late that evening we made camp and the next day we pulled 

 into St. Louis where we bought a new stock of provisions and some 

 material for making a canvas boat. 



We next shipped our cargo to Iron Mountain by freight, following 

 it ourselves that night. When we arrived we found that our freight 

 would not be in for three days, so we were obliged to look around for 

 a place to stay in the meantime. We secured lodging at a farm 

 house and bought our meals in town, which was two miles away. 



When our freight came in we hired a man to haul us over the 

 hills to the river several miles distant; camped at sundown, and the 

 next morning started to work on our boat. 



For the benefit of those who may be unfamiliar with the process of 

 canvas-boat making I will give here instructions and diagrams which 



