The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-10-23

the fading twilight, stilllng the lesser
voice at every stride.
The sky was clear ,and In the star
shine the trail of the snow-shoes was
| plain under the hunters feet. He ran
In the level and open places; and no.
where did he halt to draw breath
until half Of the return journey was
accomplished. Then he ate sparingly
and rested for an hour.
Dawn was gray in the east when
the huskies announced their masters
return with furious barking
The squaw ran from the lodge.
mo wait for Mcleod" said the
hunter. Come now, and see me make
honest trade. Bring the skins"
BY the pale and unearthly light
they broke the wooden hinges of
the door and entered the treasure
house.
Walking Moose make this trade all
alone. You no touch," said the brave
First of all he opened a canister Of
tobacco and weighed out five pounds
of the gold-brown luxury, and placed
five marten skins in payment on top
of the canister. OF flour he measured
out four skins worth; of powder and
lead, ten skins worth; of tea, five and
of dry-goods, seven. In each case he
placed the furs on the shelf or pack
age from which he had taken the
goods. Then he stacked the remain
der of his winters catch on the floor
and placed his signature on top of
the plea spruce cone, strip OF
birch bark and a porcupine quill
that Mcleod might know to whose
credit to place the furs.
They mended the door with care;
then pipes were lighted and tea
brewed, and the bitterness of the long
trails was forgotten.
The first snow had fallen In a night
and melted In day. 1t was In that
elusive season called Indian summer
that Walking Moose came again to
Alexander's Hope, this time to buy
an outfit for the winter campaign. The
squaw and the huskies, and even the
brave himself, carried packs of penn
mican, beaver-skins and smoked fish
on their backs. The sledge and snow
shoes had been cached in the woods
near Alexander's Hope. Walking
Moose found a stranger-a young man
with spectacles on his nose-smoking
a pipe in front of the store.
where McLeod?" he inquired.
"Mr. Mcleod was promoted to the
Bear River post last April replied the
stranger. 81 am in charge here now.
Post has been closed half the summer.
You've come just in time, If you want
to trade, because I'm going to shut
"My men are coming up from st.
up shop in few days"
The hunter nodded.
Johns before freezing, with the boats"
continued the agent, "and we'll take
all the trade back to the big fort. 1t
amt safe here. Some one got into
the store last winter and helped him
self"
Walking Moose Strengthened him.
self with dignity. me, Walkin'
Moose, done that" he said. Made
good trade; paid honest; left big heap
of skins for credit, and mended door"
ut was you, was it?" sneered the
agent. You're the honest Injun, are
your"
Walking Moose nodded gravely.
DO you expect me to believe that
you didn't take tobacco and rum and
stuff to the full value of all the furs
you left?" said the other. 81 know
more about Injuns than you think,
Mr.. Moose"
ME honest trapper," replied the
brave. Mcleod he trust me. He full
growed man, Mcleod.
The other laughed unpleasantly.
well, do you want to trade your
beaver?" he asked.
Walking Moose shook his head.
me take beaver way east, to Bear
River now," he said. "But take trade
for skins on my credit all right"
mo you don't, my son." said the
agent. "You can't fool Benjamin
Brown with your tricks"
mo give me baccy an powder for
my credit, for my good skins in the
store?" asked the hunter, sharply.
= That's what l mean exactly. This
post doesn't pay twice over for skins
when I'm in charge of it," answered
the white man.
Walking Moose looked round him on
every side. His squaw and the hus.
kies and the robber in front of him
were the only living creatures in sight,
His hand shot out and clutched the
front of the agents shirt. A quick
jerk brought the offender to his knees.
In minute he was bound with thongs
at ankles and wrists.
Walking Moose, his countenance un.
ruffled, lifted the agent of the great
company into the store and propped
him against a stack of flour-bags.
Then he motioned to the squaw to
enter.
"Now" said he "vou two Gao good