New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-11
0be Wandering Terms.
By MARY BoURCHIER SANFORD.
Copyright. 1904. by A. c. McClurg & Coz

night at some distance from the lake so the
dogs should not alarm any small animals that
might seek atrholes in the ice for fish. The
lake lay in a great plain, which was dotted
here and there with groves of larCh and black
spruce The eager boys set TO work at once TO
construct beaver trap. They cut a number of
stakes, sherpened them at one end chopped
away the ice near the beaver lodge and drove
the stakes into the ground between the lodge
and the shore TO prevent the beavers running
through the passage which connected their
home with the storehouse on the bank. They
next staked up the entrance to the storehouse to
lmprison those who had taken shelter there
| Cutting through the frozen mud and sticks of
which the lodge was constructed was hard work;
AFTER vigorous chopping the hatchets touched
the interior, and Louis. putting in his arm drew
out a fat beaver. 1t had lain long dormant
mat II did not awake to realize its position and
was quickly put TO death by blow on the head
jacques looked rueful: 1T does not seem fair
10 take him by stealth from his Sleep. when
, waking he is SO skilful so wise; vet we must
live, and after December ends il is of proba-
plllty that We trap nothing; ii may be not even
Louis felt scruples, and drew out beaver
after beaver while jacques feeding the dogs
Twilight came before his work was done and
then he assisted jacques and Ivan to make
cache for the storage of the beavers. The toll
ers ate supper of dried meat and bareback
Tor they were too weary to prepare and cook the
beaver meat.
They made their bed beneath large pine tree.
using their snOwshoes to excavate hollow
about four feet deep, which they covered with
pine broom. With a great pile of wood blazing
at the foot Of their primitive couch. they
caps over their ears, and huddled close together
The red freight cleaned the snowy ground
and sparkled on the snow laden branches but
the sleepy travellers did not heed its beauty.
They knew that the burning logs could melt the
hard snow only directly beneath the pile. and
that the dogs. which had burrowed holes for
themselves would give the alarm upon any ap-
proach Of danger. Thus satisfied of safety thew
fell into slumber, and icy lake and snowy plain
freight and starlight faded from their vision
The trappers occupied the following day in
making deadfalls for martens and foxes. at a
hnnFr LODI Lcl
cided 10 leave the cache and traps after mark
ing them carefully. to travel farther, and to re-
turn IN rev days AS they sat around their
fire that evening the twilight gave place to
another light that streamed up from the horizon
at the north, then circled until it seemed to en-
compass the heavens. From tints OF paest
green ii passed TO yellow, violet and crimson,
and its lances of flame Joined in a Of fire
The broad plain and the distant mountains
glowed and reflected the reveI of color jacques
stood entranced. but Louis trembled.
Never before never not once, saw such red
upon de sky. My fader. he did say it is de sign
OF trouble, OF evil dat will come"
But Louis, I've seen the rosy red
and crimson many times since I've been in
Labrador" argued Ivan.
Not like to dis. never like to dis. 1t make
me de fear"
The superstitious boy was much disturbed.
and late in the night, when his companions had
closed their eyes. he lay awake. fearful of dis
aster.
started westward over a frozen river. They
halted where the river widened into q lake. whose
many Islands were capped with tncketS or
evergreens. Balsam fix and spruce grew upon
the lake shore. It was an alluring habitation
for wild creatures and the travellers decided to
spend the rest Of the day in setting traps near
the banks Jacques suggested camping for some
time In the neghborhood. but his companions
desired TO go on. On the further side OF the
lake the river entered a deep defile. and
after the start on the following day the hunters
were speeding the komatik between high,
precpitous rocks The river was narrow and
its course so winding that many times jutting
crag appeared to block the passage, but tho
eager dogs, dashing around curves brought the
explorers again in sight of an open way. After
many miles the defile widened, but still ragged
promontories shut out the view. until suddenly.
found themselves upon a great frozen lake.
Far across il doomed a mountain range whose
peaks seemed to pierce the heavens. Ivan
pointed To a sharp curiously carved: Lets
make for that. Let's see what's on the other
side. 4