in the top of our hut, in which we placed
everything of value, and, to make it additionally secure, we stuck in
some thick stakes round the entrance, intertwining them with branches.

"The brute will be clever enough if he breaks through that," observed
Uncle Denis, as he surveyed our work the following morning before we set
out.

We were as successful as on the previous day, and in the evening we
returned heavily laden with our spoils.

"Hurrah!" exclaimed Uncle Denis, as he ran forward on seeing the body of
an animal sticking out of his well-contrived trap; caught by the head
and claws as the robber had seized on the bait.

It was the wolverine which had at length been outwitted: though nearly
strangled, it required several heavy blows before it was killed
outright. The creature was about the size of a small wolf, of a
brownish-black colour, the paws being perfectly black, contrasting with
the extreme whiteness of the claws, which were of great size, resembling
those of a bear; indeed the animal was not unlike a young bear. We
dragged it away from our camp and flayed it, that we might preserve the
skin to carry home. Our success had been greater than we expected, and
as we could not carry all our skins, Mr Tidey and Dan set off to the
farm, to bring back a couple of horses to convey them home. Uncle Denis
considering that it would be unwise to leave so much property without
protection, asked me to remain in camp, while he and Dio continued
trapping. This of course I willingly undertook to do, keeping my gun in
readiness to shoot any animal which might approach. It was about noon,
and as I was getting hungry I had placed a piece of venison to roast
before the fire, and had sat down to watch it, when I was startled by
seeing standing at no great distance from me an Indian who had
approached so silently that I had not been aware of his presence. I
rose to my feet, holding my rifle ready, should he come as a foe. But
his bow was at his back and his arrows in the quiver. He spread out his
hands to show that he held no weapons in them, and then, coming forward,
sat down opposite to me. I imitated his example, keeping my eye fixed
on him, for at any moment he might draw his tomahawk or scalping-knife
from his belt. I pointed to the meat, and made signs that he should be
welcome to some of it as soon as it was sufficiently cooked. He nodded
in return, but still did not speak, and I concluded that his ignorance