rs returned at this point, and conversation drifted into other
channels--the striking up of the traps--the probability of an early
break-up--the hard times that the present season's failure was certain
to cause among the people of the Bay.

"Bob, if you're going to strike up and make this next trip your last
one of the season, I'm going over the trail with you," said Shad, the
following day. "I want to see again the trail I helped you lay, and
the tilts we built together. It seems a long while ago, and the memory
of it is already a pleasant one."

So on Monday morning they started on the last round of traps for the
season. The days were long now, and the sun was still high when they
reached the tilt on the first lake--the tilt where Manikawan had found
Bob's rifle, and the first of the series of tilts Bob and Shad had
built.

They cooked and ate their supper, and then lounged back upon their
bunks to chat of their first exploration of the trail, their visit to
the falls, and of Manikawan's unexpected appearance when they were on
the island.

Finally they lapsed into silence, Shad sitting on the edge of his
bunk, his elbows on his knees, and his chin in his palms; Bob lying
back, his hands folded under his head, his eyes studying the ceiling,
but his thoughts far away with the loved ones at home and with Emily
at school.

Suddenly Shad broke the silence and Bob's thoughts with the question:

"How would you like me for a partner, Bob?"

"A trappin' partner, Shad? 'Twould be fine, now!" exclaimed Bob,
coming back to himself and his surroundings. "But I was thinkin' you'd
be weary o' th' trails, Shad, after what you've been through."

"No, Bob, a trading partner;" and Shad sat up. "You were going into
business, Bob, but your loss, you tell me, has made it impossible,
because you have no capital. I'd like to be let in on your plans, for
they appeal to me. Such a trading operation as you outlined to me
should prove not only profitable, but at the same time would be a
practical method of relieving a vast amount of suffering. It would
give the Bay people independence and bring them a good many comforts
of life they've never enjoyed.

"And if your suggestion were carried out to establish two or three
trading stations with provision caches attached, up here in the Indian
hunting country, there could be no repetition of this year's horrible
experience.

"Now, Bob, you know the people and their needs, and you're an exp