traveller. He
had gone several times on great expeditions to the Arctic Ocean. He was
with Sir John Richardson on his memorable search for Sir John Franklin.
He had also gone with Dr Rae and others on similar Arctic exploring
trips. Then this Mustagan was the old Cree Indian who found the silver
spoons and other remains of Sir John Franklin among the Eskimos. Their
recovery gave the final definite knowledge of the tragic ending of that
memorable expedition. These relics of that sad expedition, in which
about a hundred and forty of the bravest of men perished, some of whom
might have been saved if Paulette had been true, are now in the
Greenwich Museum.

But although Mustagan had been long years thus employed he was yet in
the full vigour of life, and as a hunter was unexcelled. He was, like
Big Tom, particularly noted for his skill as a moose hunter, and it was
when out on the tracks of a moose that he made the singular discovery
that led to this bear hunt in winter. When he came over to Sagasta-
weekee with the news that he had some rare sport for the boys they were,
of course, full of curiosity to get all the information.

During the previous summer they had all had their peculiar experiences
in bear fights, but this finding of bears in winter was a revelation, as
they were always taught that the bears, especially in cold countries,
hibernate during the winter; that is, that they den up in some quiet
retreat in the rocks, if possible, and there remain in a semi-
unconscious condition for months together. They generally go in very
fat, and on this fat they keep alive all winter.

"Is it true," said Sam to Mustagan, "that a bear sucks his paws like a
baby does his thumb?"

"That is what is believed by the Indians," said the old man. "But," he
added, with a bit of a twinkle in his eye, "I don't remember any one of
us ever having sat up to watch one doing it."

"How in the world did you find out where this bear's den is which you
are inviting us to see?" said Alec.

"Perhaps," said Frank, "he marked it in the fall, like other Indians
mark their beavers' houses."

"No, indeed," said Mustagan. "I never thought of one being in that
place until I found it by the steam."

Here was a bigger mystery than ever.

"Steam!" said Sam; "and where was the engine?"

"Down deep under the snow in a den among the rocks," was the answer
given.

This did not clear up the mystery, but rather added to their curiosity.