Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-03-27
POOLING THE REDSKINS.

pioneer days. Away up at the northern
end of the great lakes bold hunter and
trapper made his camp. He hunted for
sport in the summer, and trapped for fur
in the fall and winter. He knew every
river and creek, every hill and valley in
the great woods, better than you know
the streets of the town; and he had stud
led the cunning ways and bright tricks
OF the beaver, otter, mink and martin
until he knew just where and how to set
his traps for them. He bought good
many skins of the friendly Indians who
lived near: and early every year he would
take a big load of them to the nearest
trading post to sell, bringing back pow
der and lead, with tea, sugar and other
good things for his table. The hunters
life isn't half so fine as the story books
make it; but old Thomas JudsOn-fOr
that was his name-enjOyed it better
than any other.
In winter he had to wear snOwshOes
in going through the woods to visit his
traps; and one year he brought back a
pair of skates, that he thought would be
handy when the ice was clear. And very
handy he found them at such times, for
he could skate dozen miles as easy as
he could walk two, and the pack on his
had steel shoes on and could skim along
the CLASSY surface of the lake or river.
One very cold, clear day, when the ice
was good. he went to visit some mink
traps, almost twenty miles north of his
cabin. He skated to near the spot, along
the shore of the lake, and then took off
his skates and put OH his snOwshOes to
travel over the deep snow mile or two
into the woods. He knew that an Indian
tribe from Canada had come down to
make war on those who lived near him,
but he never thought they would trouble
him. All at once his dog Bruno, that
had been running ahead on deer path,
stopped, shifted the air, bristled up an
grily and began to grOwl; and before
Thomas could carry his rifle to his
shoulder he was surrounded by a dozen
bowling Indians, who sprang from their
hiding places i'm the thicket' brandish-
ing their tOmahawkS and yelling like
mad.
The old man was brave, but he wasn't
a fool. and instead of showing fight
against such odds he laid down his rifle
and folded his arms. He could talk but
little Indian and they could speak even
less English, but by signs and motions
he made out to let them know that he
wasn't on the war-path, but after furs.
The Indians threatened no harm when
they found him peaceful, but were yery
much interested in his arms and dress
for they hadn't at that time seen many
white men. The snOw-shOes thew knew
all about, for you know the Indians in
vented them, but the skates puzzled
them.
A funny thought seemed to Occur tn
the hunter, as he saw their curiosity. for
his grey eyes twinkled merrily.
"lce mOccaSin," he said. puttinp a
skate to his foot. and then he made with
his hand the gliding motion that the
feet take in skating.
ugh" grunted the Indian chief.
pointing to the narrow blade of the skate
and shaking his head. As plainly as he
could do it he made the hunter UNDER
stand that he wasn't so green as to be-
lleye that anybody could stand up on
those things. As they were near the ice
Thomas proposed to fasten them on a
young brave for trial.
The Indians welcomed the plan with
glee, for though savages, they were great
lovers of sport. Selecting the brayest
and swiftest young fellow, the chief
babe him stick out his feet, which he
did rather suspiciOusly. The skates were
soon strapped on, and the Young buck
helped to his feet. The ice was like
glass, and he started to move, YOU know
what happened. His feet flew out from
under him, and down he came with a
crack. Such shouts of laughter as the
rest sent up. The young fellow was
gritty. and scrambled up to try it again.
but with the same result.
The chief now signalled to the hunter
to show them how it worked. Thomas
fastened on the skates with great care,
picked up his rifle and used it as a cane,
pretending to support himself. He
moved awkwardly, fell down, got up and
stumbled around, the Indians all the
time laughing and capering at the sport.
Gradually Thomas stumbled a little
farther away, whirling about and
making believe it was very hard work
to keep his balance, until he was near
point where the smooth lake ice stretch
ed miles and miles away.
Suddenly gathering himself I'D, he
grasped his rifle firmly, gave warhoop
as wild as the Indians own, and dashed
up the lake like an arrow, skating az he
had never skated before. If he had disap-
peared i'm the air the Indians could not
have been more astOnished. of course
they couldn't hope to catch him, over
the CLASSY ice, and they stock gaping
after him, wondering more and more at
the magic "ice mOccasins." Nothing
pleased old Thomas more in after years
than to tell how he had fooled the red
skins" Golden Rule.
A Gentleman,