he Indians have had lots of experiences up north of here, hunting and
trapping in the winter time," Bob began.

"What did Pierre tell you?" asked Pud. "Has he ever scalped any one?"

"You big dub," said Bill. "Indians don't go on scalping expeditions any
more."

"Well, I thought that maybe some other Indian tribe might have tried to
attack them," said Pud.

"Don't be foolish," said Bob. "There are few Indians up in this country
and I guess from what Pierre tells me that they have enough troubles
fighting for their lives against the forces of nature to keep them from
thinking of fighting one another. In addition, the Canadian Government
would soon put a stop to that. Anyway, these Indians are just as peace
loving as any white man."

"I suppose you're right," said Pud. "All the same, I like to think of an
Indian with tomahawk in hand having a fierce fight for his life with
some other Indians or with the pale faces."

"You've been brought up on Nick Carter," laughed Bill. "Get that foolish
rot out of your mind. Indians are just ordinary human beings and that is
all."

"I don't know about that," said Pud. "That young Jean is some boy for
his age. He can follow a trail just like the Indians we read of, and he
knows all about the woods, animals, birds and all that. He's certainly
like the Indians we read of in history."

"Yes," said Bob. "Jean is a fine specimen. He has all the good points of
our ancestors, the real aborigines, without their failings."

"But what about Pierre? You were talking a long time with him, Bob,"
said Bill. "What was so interesting?"

"He was telling me of his winter hunting trips and he has had some
thrilling experiences. He says that every year he gets ready just as
soon as the snow flies in the fall. This generally means about the
middle of November in this country. As soon as the earth is blanketed
with snow, he gets his dogs and sleds ready and starts out with
provisions to last for three months. Since his boy has grown up he
takes him with him. Sometimes they make up a small party of three or
four. It is always better to have two or three companions because Pierre
says that it is not well to go alone into this wild, lonely region, for
then a simple accident might mean death. He told me of several incidents
where his life was in danger and only his quickness and presence of mind
saved his life.

"Once, early in the spring, he had stayed too long in the woods. The
trapping had been g