omebody, and
perhaps he chided himself that he had not interested himself in the
matter. However, he had his hopes that, in spite of the cunning of the
wolverines, the men would succeed in killing some of them, and as one
wolverine skin is worth four beaver skins, if they were successful there
would at least be some satisfaction in that.

As it was still a long time until daylight the boys were persuaded to
lie down in their bed, and Memotas carefully tucked them in. Refreshing
sleep speedily came to them again, and when they awoke it was to hear
Mr Ross giving some final instructions to three dog-drivers who were
just about to start on the trail made at midnight by the wolverines,
barking dogs and angry, indignant hunters. Wrapped securely upon their
sleds was a liberal supply of food, with kettles, axes, and other things
that might be required.

As they started the eastern sky almost suddenly became illuminated with
the brightness of the coming day. So beautiful was the morning that the
boys longed to go with the departing trains. It was thought best,
however, owing to the uncertainty and probable hardships that might have
to be encountered, not to run the risk. To pleasantly and profitably
pass the time it was suggested that some of them go out on a tour of
investigation on the trail of the wolverines, and see in what direction
they came and how it was that they had so well succeeded in their
movements. Dear Old Memotas, disconsolate as he was, was persuaded to
go along and explain the various movements of these clever animals to
the boys. This he could well do, as he had hunted them for many years
and knew much about them, although he always declared that there were
some of them that could outwit any Indian.

They all first went to the spot where stood the sleds, from which the
beavers had been stolen. Then, with Memotas leading, they followed back
on the tracks, and soon they found, as they went on, that the cautious
animals had completely crept around the camp, ere they had begun their
depredations. Continuing on their trail, still going back, they found
that the wolverines had come directly from the spot on the dam where the
beavers had been captured, as has been described.

While so near the beaver house Memotas said to the boys that it might be
interesting to try and find out if the surviving beavers had as yet gone
to work again. That anything could be found out seemed impossible to
the boys, bu