Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-28

them had enough at hand to pay the proper value
of the skin; but that he would agree to pay three
hundred skins and that Standing Wolf could
collect the balance from the company at any time
Although the Indian felt that he was being under
paid his superstitious dread made him accept the
offer without haggling. So all the furs except the
silver fox skin, sold the greater number going
to the Hudson Bay Company.
Gibeault enraged at having secured so few
furs, and doubly at having lost the black fox
skin. He sat staring sulleny the fire, and when
Spencer intimated his intention of returning to the
fort that afternoon he did not answer him. About
three o'clock, Spencer packed his sled, and by four
had hidden the Indians farewell. He intended
travelling few hours that night by moonlight. As
both had to go in the same direction, Standing Wolf
surprised that they did not travel together for
Companonship and when Gibeault expressed his
desire to remain with him all night, he wondered
why he wished to stay. Imagine his surprise when,
on his return from visiting some Snares he found
Gbeault Harvesting his dogs and eager to be off.
At parting, Standing Wolf shook hands with the
halfbreed, but that seemed only to increase his
awkwardness of demeanor
The following evening, while the Indian at
supper Spencer staggered into the lodge with his
face cut and bruised and smeared with blood. When
the women had dressed the traders wounds, Stand
ing Wolf heard his story:
During the night l overtaken by Gibeault
Some noise he made must have reused me; for
woke from deep sleep to see him in the very act
of going through my furs evidently in search of the
black fox skin l got upon my feet and rushed to
grapple with him. but slipped and fell He seized
heavy stick and knocked me senseless. Fortunately
he had no firearms for traders carry none. When
i
not only the black fox skin but all my other furs
and even the dogs and the sled. Worse still, he had
smashed my snowshoes in order to prevent pursuit.
When he had told his story, Standing Wolf con-
tinued for little while gazing at the fire, and
smoking medtatively. Then he knocked the ashes
from his pipe, and said MY brother, this is bad
business. 1 will go and speak with Gibeault.'
Turning to the boys, he said My sons, will
set out at once. AS l going to travel light,
you must follow with the dogs at their best
speed. Be watchfu and you will read your instruc-
tions as you run
Rising he at once made ready for the chase
Going the "rogan in which he kept his valuables,
he put fresh supply of tobacco into his fire bag;
then, wishing to take last look at his silver fox
skin, he reached to draw it out. 1t gone. He
knew at once who had taken it. and resentment
filled his heart. The dog who would be my brother
has stolen it," he cried with fury. He hung small
tea pail at his side, frightened his sash about him,
slipped little bag of tea some hammock, and some
dried caribou meat within his capote, and, gun in
hand, set out in pursuit of the thief.
Already the moon had risen. Taking up the trail
OF the thief, he sped across Spirit Lake his way
to Bear River The freshness of the hard packed
trail made easy going, and hour after hour he
along Away up above the trees, the Dance of the
Dead Men fickered and once again two shadows
pursued the hunter. But, intent upon the chase,
he had little thought for other things.
Entering a thick grove of heavy timber, he paused
for moment to read the signs that told him where
Spencer had carnped for the night, where Gibeaut
had ransacked the furs and where the two had
fought. Then on he sped All night long he trav-
eled and all the following day.
Soon he noticed that he was gaining on the thief,
for the track was constantly growing fresher. He
realized now that it only matter of few
hours before he would overtake his quarry. The
halfbreed's progress was becoming slower since he
had to go ahead now and beat new track for the
dogs to follow. Judging that he would up
with the thief that night, he had already left the
He now blazed again; but with three cuts instead
of two upon each tree, that the boys would press