New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-28

them had enough at hand 10 pay he 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 superstitous dread made him accept the
offer without hagglIng So all the turS, except the
silver fox skin, sold, the greater number going
to the Hudson Bay Company.
Gibeault enraged at having secured 50 few
furs, and doubly at having lost the black fox
skin. He sat staring sulenly at the fire and When
Spencer intimated his intention OF returning 70 the
fort that afternoon, he did not answer HIM. About
three O'Clock, Spencer packed his Sled, ana 10y four
had hidden the Indians farewell. lie intended
travelling a few hours that night by moonlight As
both had to 90 in the same direction, Standing Wolf
surprised that they did not travel together for
CompanOnShip; and when Glbcault expressed his
desire to remain with him all night, he wondered
why he wished to stay Imagine his surprise when,
on hlS return from visiting some snarcS, ne found
Gbeault Harvesting his dogs and eager to be OF.
At parting, Standing Wolf shook hands with the
halibrccd, bit that seemed only to increase his
aWkWaTdness of demeanor.
The following evening. while the Indian was at
supper, Spencer staggered into the lodge with ms
face cut and bruised and smeared with blood When
the women had dressed the trader wounds, Stand
ing Wolf heard his story:
During the night | overtaken 10y Gibc4ult
Some noise he made must have reused me- for |
woke from a deep sleep 10 see him in the verv act
of going through my furS evidently IN search of the
black fox skin | got upon my feet and rushed 10
grappe with him but slipped and fell He seized
heavy stick and knocked me scnscess Fortuga-rly
he had firearms. for traders carry none. When
recovered consciousness found that he had taken
only the black fox SKIN but all my other turs.
and even the dogs and he Sled Worse still. he had
smashed my snovshoes III order 10 prevent pursuit
When he had told has story, Standing Wolf con-
tmued for htrlc while gazing at the fire and
smoking mcdtatIvcly. Then he Knocked the ashes
from his pipe and said Ny brother, tins Is "a bad
business. | wlli 60 and speak with Gibeauit.
Turning TO II bows. he said Mv sons | VIII
set out at once. ~ | going TO travel light,
YOU must follow with the dogs their best
speed. BE watchlu and YOU VIII read your instruc-
tions as YOU run
Rising ne once made ready for the chase.
Gong TO the rogan in which he kept his vauables,
he put fresh supply of tobacco into his fire bag,
then wishing 20 take last look al his silver fox
skin. he reached 90 draw 1t ont. Il gone He
knew at once who had taken IT, and resentment
flied his heart The dog who would be my brother
has stolen It" he cried with fury lie hung "a 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 CapotC and gun IN
hand, set out III pursuit Of the thief
Already the moon had risen Taking up The trail
OF the thief. he sped across Spirit Lake ms
t. Bear River. The freshness of the hard packed
trail made easy going, and hour after hour he ran
along. Away up above the trees. the Dance of the
Dead Men hickercd and once again two shadows
pursued the hunter. But. intent upon the chase.
he had little thought for other things
Entering thick grove of heavy timber he paused
for a moment To read the signs that told him where
Spencer had campcd for the night, where Gbeaut
had ransacked the furs and where the two had
fought Then on he sped All night long he tr,v-
oed. and all the following dav
soon he noticed that he was gaining the thief.
for the track was constantly growing frcsher He
realized now that il WAS only q matter Of a few
hours before he would ovcrtakc his quarry The
hathrceds progress was becoming slower since he
had TO 60 ahead now and beat a new track for the
dogs 10 follow. Judging that he would come up
with he thief that night he had already left the
hurry up sign upon several trees tor his boys 10 see
He now blazcd again; but with three cuts instead
OF two upon each tree, SO that the boys would press