an unknown man
approaching. When the newcomer--a French-Canadian half-breed--had
eaten, and had joined the others in a smoke, he gave me a letter from
Free Trader Spear. Then Oo-koo-hoo began questioning him:

"My brother, you are a stranger in this country; so I have given you
fire and food and tobacco in friendship. Tell me now why and from
whence you come?"

The half-breed replied: "My brother, I come from the Border
Lands--where the plains and the forests meet--and my name is Gibeault.
I have come to trade regularly with you as I am now working for Free
Trader Spear, whose post, as you know, is near Fort Consolation. You
will do well to encourage opposition to the Great Company, and thus
raise the price of furs."

The half-breed then presented the hunters with several plugs of "T &
B," some matches, tea, sugar, flour, and a piece of "sow-belly." For
some time Oo-koo-hoo sat holding a little fresh-cut tobacco in his
hand, until Gibeault, taking notice, asked him why he did not smoke it.

"The Great Company always gives me a pipe," replied the hunter.

The runner for the free trader, not to be outdone, gave him a pipe.

"I suppose," began Oo-koo-hoo, "that your heart is glad to see me."

"Yes," replied Gibeault, "and I want to get some of your fur."

"That is all very well, but I will see which way you look at me,"
returned the Indian.

"Have you much fur?" asked the half-breed.

"I have enough to pay my debt to the Great Company."

"Yes, I know, but you will have some left, and I want to do business
with you, so bring out your furs and I will treat you right."

"That sounds well, but you must remember that though the Great Company
charges more, their goods are the best goods, while yours are all cheap
rubbish."

Thinking the opportunity a favourable one, Gibeault assumed an air of
friendly solicitude and said:

"The Company has cheated your people so many hundred years that they
are now very rich. No wonder they can afford to give you high prices
for your furs. Free Trader Spear is a poor but honest man. It is to
your great advantage to trade part of your furs with me in order to
make it worth his while to send me here every winter. As you know, my
presence here compels the Company to pay full value for your furs and
so you are the one who reaps the greatest benefit."

"That is partly true," answered Oo-koo-hoo, "but I must be loyal to the
Company. You are here to-day and away tomorrow; b