e opposite side the tracks spread out over a
windfall of trees. "Whole family mink live here," continued Mukoki.
"T'ree--mebby four--mebby five. Build trap-house right here!"

Never before had Rod seen a trap set as the old Indian now set his. Very
near the end of the log over which the mink made their trail he quickly
built a shelter of sticks which when completed was in the form of a tiny
wigwam. At the back of this was placed a chunk of the caribou meat, and
in front of this bait, so that an animal would have to spring it in
passing, was set a trap, carefully covered with snow and a few leaves.
Within twenty minutes Mukoki had built two of these shelters and had set
two traps.

"Why do you build those little houses?" asked Rod, as they again took up
their trail.

"Much snow come in winter," elucidated the Indian. "Build house to keep
snow off traps. No do that, be digging out traps all winter. When
mink--heem smell meat--go in house he got to go over trap. Make house
for all small animal like heem. No good for lynx. He see house--walk
roun' 'n' roun' 'n' roun'--and then go 'way. Smart fellow--lynx. Wolf
and fox, too."

"Is a mink worth much?"

"Fi' dollar--no less that. Seven--eight dollar for good one."

During the next mile six other mink traps were set. The creek now ran
along the edge of a high rocky ridge and Mukoki's eyes began to shine
with a new interest. No longer did he seem entirely absorbed in the
discovery of signs of fur animals. His eyes were constantly scanning the
sun-bathed side of the ridge ahead and his progress was slow and
cautious. He spoke in whispers, and Rod followed his example. Frequently
the two would stop and scan the openings for signs of life. Twice they
set fox traps where there were evident signs of runways; in a wild
ravine, strewn with tumbled trees and masses of rock, they struck a lynx
track and set a trap for him at each end of the ravine; but even during
these operations Mukoki's interest was divided. The hunters now walked
abreast, about fifty yards apart, Rod never forging a foot ahead of the
cautious Mukoki. Suddenly the youth heard a low call and he saw his
companion beckoning to him with frantic enthusiasm.

"Wolf!" whispered Mukoki as Rod joined him.

In the snow were a number of tracks that reminded Rod of those made by a
dog.

"T'ree wolf!" continued the Indian jubilantly. "Travel early this
morning. Somewhere in warm sun on mountain!"

They followed now in