New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-11
CHAPTER XII.
THE TRAPPERS.

The new home was comfortable. the store
house was well filled, and the young householders
grew hopeful As Ivan had not killed any seals.
he bought sealskin and dOgskin from an Indian,
paying for the skins and for two pairs of snow
shoes with a few pounds Of -four and some OF
Glrica's old ribbons. The skins had been
stretched, dried and made waterproof to prevent
their shrinking from damp Ulrica cut out boots
and caps for herself and brother, and the Indian
chewed the edges of the skin TO prepare them
for the needle The sOles Of VANS boots We're
OF seal. and the uppers. reaching to the knees of
dogskln. AT first, even with two or three pairs
Of stockings under the boots. he felt every
roughness through the soft sole, but soon learned
10 enjoy tramping in them.
Game had been plentiful this year, and the
boys now discovered tracks of martens near a
small lake. The shalower parts of this lake
were frozen TO the bottom, but fish We're closely
packed in the deep places. The young trappers
constructed dead falls in the neighborhood Of
The lake and caught number OF martens and
fishers. The season for marten trapping would
soon be over, but would open again in March.
Ivan made brilliant plans for travelling in the
spring TO one Of the Hudson's Bay posts and
realizing wealth from the sale of his furs: but
he had a sad awakening from his golden dream
when one morning he found every trap torn
open at the back and partially destroyed.
Who did it?" he asked. gazing in bitter dis
appointment at the wreck
.'Kekwaharkess, the Evil One" said Jacques.
an English II is wolverine He loves the de-
struction, and not alona that which he requires
for food does he break and destroy but all things
within his reach. He can spring the trap of
ways escape. Far away must we go and seek
another ground"
When Ulrica heard that the trappers would
Journey far she concealed her fears Like the
women Of Labrador, she had learned TO speed
with cheerful words those who set forth TO meet
danger. Ivan had invited the French girls.
Pauline and Marie. TO stay with her in his alb
sence. They offered TO make cakes for the party.
but the trappers declined dainties. They ex-
pected TO shoot game for daily needs. and took
with them only some dried Yenison and fish,
bareback ana Labrador tea
The three friends, Jacques. Louis. and Ivan,
SCI out on bright morning in large komatik
drawn by eight dogs. They were provided also
with light toboggans and snowshoes They had
fastened Their provisions and utensils to the
venice with stout thongs Of hide and tied the
blankets down over all. jacques and Louis wore
complete suits Of skins. Ivan was clad in two
neaFy suns OF HaliieI onoergarments and an
outer SUM OF blanket cloth. the coat double
breasted and belted at the waist; a cap boots
and mittens Of seal and dogskin COMPLETED the
costume, the mlttens extended TO the elbow.
Each boy carried a firebag and hunting knife
attached 10 the belt on side and small
Ratchet the other. The snow was crisn the
air bracing and when the hunters after hmm
ing over uneven ground. had reached an ice
bound river the eager dogs, exhilarated by the
atmosphere, sped swiftly over the frozen surface
Its gloIlous!" cried Ivan IF we keen nm
this pace wen soon cover a hundred miles
20 explore the places where no human being has
yentured? Who knows that il is a desolate
wilderness? There may be warm. sheltered val
legs. There may be all sorts Of treasures. 1
Say. let's try it,
Jacques shook his head. II have promise made
10 iademoiselie CIrica Tor your care; also my
mother would grieve if ! did take a risk that
vas not OF necessity. To explore would in
truth give me delight. but fear we should find
no treasure OF this country far within. Some
say IL is vast ana terrible plateau. upon which
are scattered many stones. and no one can tell
now such powders on that land did arrive
Others believe that over the interior spreads
everywhere water, water. Greatly desire TO see
Tor myself. but IL may not be-"
i oaresay there's lots OF water" agreed Ivan
"a haG f1.pe sork
oreos Of miles from lake 20 river and river TO
iske' and only portrayed for short distances"
4. IA The afternoon the travellers observed on
the borders Of a lake some curious mounds of
sho"; Bark had been removed from trees In
me E'cinity. and other trees had been cut down
AS these signs Indicated the presence of baa-
sefs the hunters determined TO camp for the