THE INVITATION TO THE INDIAN SCHOOL EXAMINATION AND SPORTS--TRAPPING
EXPERIENCES--THE CUNNING CROSS-FOX--FRANK SEEKING AID FROM MEMOTAS--
METHOD OF SUCCESSFUL TRAP-SETTING--JOYOUS TRIP TO THE MISSION--AN
ABIDING CHRISTIAN CIVILISATION FOR THE INDIANS--SAM'S AND A YOUNG
INDIAN'S NOVEL HUNTING METHODS--WILD CATS CAPTURED--THE QUEER BATTLE
BETWEEN A FOX AND A WILD CAT.
When the boys returned home from a splendid outing on their skates they
were greeted by Mr Hurlburt, the missionary from the Indian Mission,
who cordially invited them all to the half-yearly examinations at the
school, which were to be held the Friday before Christmas in the
forenoon, and then would follow the usual games among the Indian boys in
the afternoon.
The boys soon found that Mr Ross and the missionary had been long
discussing the matter, but had as yet come to no decision as to the
different games, in which the white boys might, if they so desired,
compete with the Indian lads.
Alec, of course, wanted to enter for the dog race and the skating.
Frank wanted to try his skill with the snowshoes, but Sam gravely shook
his head and said he feared he would be lonesome ere the race ended.
"Well, what will you enter for?" said Frank, as he turned to Sam after
this sally, which had set everybody laughing.
"Indeed I don't know, unless it should be tobogganing," he replied.
This also caused a good deal of amusement, as Sam's efforts in this line
thus far had not been much of a success. He had caused a good deal of
fun, and some excitement, by the extraordinary way in which his toboggan
had several times shot out of the regular route and gone off on some
erratic lines, perfectly oblivious to the interests of life and limb.
He had one strong characteristic: he would hang on no matter which way
or to what place his toboggan, under his erratic steering, flew with
him. Once, in the middle of a hill, it shot off at a tangent and ran
over an Indian woman. So unexpected was the attack, so deep was the
drift into which she was hurled, and so rapidly did the flying toboggan
get out of sight, that the poor, superstitious old woman ever after
declared that it could have been no other than the Muche Manetoo, the
Evil One, that struck her.
As a couple of weeks would elapse ere the day for the examinations and
sports would arrive, the matter was left in abeyance, as to the sports
in which the boys should enter. A cordial acceptance of the invitation
was of course intimated.
In talking the matter over afterward it was decided that only in one
race or sport should each of the white boys enter. The number was
limited as the Indian boys were numerous, and it might perhaps cause
jealousies. So it was finally decided that Alec should try with his
dogs in the four-dog race, Frank should be a competitor in the skating
match, and Sam, with Spitfire, should contend in the one-dog race, or
else enter in the skating backward contest.
From knowing the skill of the Indian boys in everything else, Mr Ross
felt that in these selected were their only chances of success. Of
course, it was felt that Alec should have been in the skating contest,
but as it was essential that each owner should drive his own dogs, and
Alec had such confidence in his now splendid team and was so proud of
them, he decided in favour of his dogs.
Mr Ross's advice to them all was to keep themselves in good trim for
any sudden emergency that might turn up, especially if it should happen
that the young gentlemen in the Hudson Bay Company's service should
decide to compete, or should themselves challenge them.
Full of most exhilarating sport as had been the bright sunny days since
winter had set in nearly two months before this, the incentive of the
coming races gave a new zest to their sports and pastimes, and so there
was snow-shoeing by day as well as rapid dog-travelling under aurora
lights by night.
Among other things, it was arranged with Memotas that, as his hunting
grounds began not many miles away from the place where Sagasta-weekee
was built, the boys should have the privilege of hunting in all that
section of the country under his guidance when necessary, and as much
alone as they desired. Mr Ross secured for them about a dozen steel
traps apiece, and either he or Memotas instructed the lads in the
methods of setting them for the different fur-bearing animals, such as
mink, marten, otter, wild cat, and especially for the different
varieties of foxes that were so abundant in those regions. In addition
to this they were taught how to make the spring snares of fine twine for
rabbits and partridges. Thus they learned much of the habits and
instincts of various animals, and were delighted and profited by these
lessons learned out in the school of nature, amidst such favourable
surroundings.
When the boys saw the great number of tracks of the various wild animals
that so speedily packed down the snow in runs in various directions
through the forests, they were sanguine that great success would attend
their hunting efforts. But as they drove in day after day with nothing
more valuable than some rabbits or a few ptarmigan, or some other kind
of partridges, they were half-discouraged, and told Mr Ross they were
surprised at their poor success.
Frank was especially mortified at his ill success. He had for days set
his trap for a beautiful cross-fox that he had once or twice seen.
Nearly every day he found his traps sprung and the bait gone. That it
was the same fox Frank discovered by the fact that he had lost part of
one of his hind feet. This Mr Ross said doubtless happened long ago in
the trap of some hunter. The fox had not been quick enough to spring
away, and had thus been caught by part of his foot. If it were in the
winter time when he was thus caught he doubtless ate the part of the
foot that was held in the teeth of the trap without feeling any
sensation of pain, as the cold would quickly freeze it solid. If he
were caught in the summer time he would use the most desperate efforts
to pull himself loose ere he would use his teeth, and then, of course,
he would suffer much in the operation. Hence in the winter time a fox,
as a general thing, if only caught by one foot, cuts himself off in a
few hours, but in summer time he has been known to remain in a couple of
days. Indians often talk of clever three-legged foxes in the woods.
One pleasant day Frank persuaded Memotas to go out with him and help him
set his traps for that old fox that had so long tantalised him by his
tricks and was getting fat on his bait. This the old man did with
pleasure, for he had become very much attached to Frank. When they
reached the place, to which they had come on Frank's dog-sled, the
Indian very carefully examined the region around for quite a distance.
He told Frank where the fox's den was, and said that now that he had
become so well acquainted with Frank perhaps a stranger might get hold
of him. He asked Frank to show him how he had generally set his traps
that had been so unceremoniously sprung and robbed of the bait. This
Frank proceeded to do, and, as he thought, very quickly and cleverly
sprung back and baited them. Memotas watched him go through all the
process, and then rather coolly took him down by saying:
"Good trap, well set, plenty of bait; might perhaps catch a puppy or old
crow, but never fox."
This seemed rather rough on Frank, and he was glad that Sam was not
there to improve the occasion with some further caustic remarks.
When the Indian saw that Frank seemed so crestfallen at his comments he
at once hastened to assure him that they all had to learn much about
these animals, and now he said:
"You and I will go to work and see if we cannot get that fox in a trap
again, even if his half foot tells us he has been there before."
The first thing they did was to decide where to set the traps.
"Not much hurry, though, about that," said Memotas. "We must first have
a fire to burn all of Frank off the traps."
This was a bit of a puzzle to Frank at first, but when Memotas told
Frank that every time he handled a trap or a bit of bait he left enough
of himself on it for the fox to know all that he wanted to about him, it
was more unintelligible than ever.
At a spot about a couple of hundred yards away from where the traps were
to be set a fire was built. When it was brightly burning Memotas cut a
long pole, and then, springing or setting the trap, had Frank fasten a
good-sized piece of meat as bait securely on with a fine wire.
"Now," said Memotas, as he carefully lifted up the set trap on the end
of his pole, "we will burn old Injun and Frank off that trap and bait."
Then he held the trap in the fire until the meat fairly sizzled and the
steel trap was quite hot.
"Guess all Injun and Frank now have gone up in smoke, so, Mr Fox,
you'll not find us when you come skulking round this trap, anyway."
The old man chuckled, and Frank now understood what he had meant.
Memotas walked very carefully to within some yards of the spot where he
had decided to place the trap.
Again addressing Frank, he said:
"We must not even walk there, for if we did we should leave some more of
ourselves through our moccasins, and Mr Fox would then be too sharp for
us."
Giving Frank the pole with the trap on it to hold for a few minutes, the
old man quickly moved back to a spot where some tall, slender live
balsams were growing. Cutting one down, he trimmed off all the branches
except a mere broom-like tuft at the top, taking care all the time not
to touch any of those remaining with his hands. Returning with this
long, broom-like affair, he vigorously used it on a spot some yards
away. Then he took the long pole from the hands of Frank, and there in
that place thus brushed out, he carefully and skillfully laid the trap.
Then with the long brush he deftly swept back a thin layer of snow over
the trap and bait.
"Now, Frank," he said, "set the rest of your traps as you have been
doing these past days, but do not go near that one we have just
arranged."
This operation was soon performed by Frank in the different places
suggested by Memotas. In carefully investigating these spots the fox
would be apt to get caught in the one that had in it, as the old fellow
put it, "no Frank or no Injun."
By a roundabout route they started for home. At nearly every place
where Frank had set his snares for rabbits or partridges he was
successful in finding game. At a couple of places the snares themselves
were gone and the snow was badly trampled down. Here Memotas's
knowledge came into play, and he showed Frank where a wild cat had
seized a rabbit just as it had sprung into the snare, and then both had
struggled and the spring pole had been dragged twenty feet or so before
the strong twine had been broken. In another place the feathers strewn
around showed where a fox had been too quick for Frank and had taken the
partridge which had been caught.
Thus they pushed on, and at length reached home. A good dinner awaited
them, and then Frank harnessed up his dogs again, and, hitching them to
a beautifully painted cariole, took Wenonah and Roddy out for a splendid
ride. The day was cold but brilliant. The little folks were well
wrapped up in their beautiful furs, and so the drive over to the mission
and back was much enjoyed.
At the mission house they went in for a short call on the family, where
they were always welcome. As they could not remain for dinner a five-
o'clock tea was quickly prepared and much enjoyed. When about to begin
a great jingling of bells was heard outside, and to the delight of all
in came Mr and Mrs Ross, who had been driven over by Alec and Sam. It
seems the boys had both returned from their hunting routes shortly after
Frank had left with the two children. After a hasty lunch they had
coaxed Mr and Mrs Ross to let them drive them over, and so a couple of
carioles were soon attached to their different trains. Plenty of robes
were put in, and now here they all were, and, as always, were most
cordially welcomed.
They spent a couple of hours with the members of this delightful family,
who here as missionaries were doing such a blessed work, even if it were
one of self-denial and at times sufferings. But Mr and Mrs Hurlburt,
their two young daughters, and Miss Adams, the lady teacher, were so
proud of the Indians, and of their genuine kindly ways, that they were
happy and contented with their lot.
During the brief two hours spent at the home this afternoon, as well as
on many other occasions, the boys had opportunities to see evidences of
their kindnesses and tangible love to the sick and hungry ones who
looked so much to them. Not only did they find in Mr and Mrs Ross
real friends to help them, but by their very substantial contributions
they made the missionary and his family the almoners of many gifts much
needed by the poor Indians.
Genuine Christians themselves, the owners of Sagasta-weekee did much to
help in the spiritual uplifting of the people from the degradation and
superstitions of a cruel paganism into the blessedness and enjoyments of
a genuine Christianity and an abiding civilisation.
The time quickly sped by. They had some earnest chat, a few delightful
hymns and songs of the homeland, and then a brief but earnest prayer for
Heaven's blessing on loved ones far away, upon themselves in that land
and their different work, and also upon the Indians.
Then the dogs were roused, the carioles arranged, and the passengers
were soon all aboard. The boys took their places firmly standing on the
tailboards of the sleds that projected in the rear. Grasping the tail-
ropes, with which they held themselves on and guided their carioles,
simultaneously they cried, "Marche!" and with a spring they were all off
together.
They had three splendid trains and were not badly matched for a short
spurt. So amidst shoutings and laughter in the beautiful gloaming of
that lovely evening they fairly flew over the icy expanse of Playgreen
Lake. But blood will tell, and it was soon evident that although Alec
had Mr Ross as his passenger, and therefore the heaviest load of the
three, he was surely forging ahead. With those long, houndlike legs,
these round-barrelled, small-headed, keen-eyed dogs need not take any
second place in that crowd, and so it is that, catching the enthusiasm
of the hour, and springing in unison with each other, they respond to
Alec's cheery call, and seem to pick themselves up and so fly over the
rest of the route to Sagasta-weekee that, in placing them, all that
could be said was, "Alec first, the rest nowhere."
"Well done, Alec," said Mr Ross, as he sprang out of the cariole. "If
you equal the speed of the last two or three miles in the race with the
trains of the village and the fort, I think the blue ribbon of first
place will be yours. But where is your cap?"
Happy Alec! He had been so excited with the splendid speed of his dogs,
and the perfect unison of their movements, that he did not seem to be
conscious of the fact that the capote of his overcoat was hanging down
his back and that his cap had left him a mile or two back on the ice.
However, his abundant curly locks had been sufficient for him during the
excitement of that blood-stirring race. He speedily pulled up the
capote over his head, and Sam, who had seen his cap fall and had hastily
snatched it up as his cariole flew by, now came up and restored it to
him.
Frank, with the children, was the last in. His heavy dogs, while the
strongest, were not so adapted for rapid travelling as the others.
"Well, we had the longest ride," said Roddy; "you folks went so fast you
did not have such a nice long time as we did."
This happy way of looking at it pleased everybody, and all voted Roddy
to be a philosopher.
The Indian servants had the dog-fish all ready, and so it was not long
ere the twelve dogs were enjoying their well-earned supper.
When they had all entered the house the boys, as usual, were anxious to
know of each other's success during the day. Not only had Frank, as we
have described, gone out to his traps, but Sam and Alec had also driven
some miles to the places where they, apart from each other, were also
trying their skill in trapping various kinds of fur-bearing animals.
Sam had gone out for several days past in company with a son of Memotas.
He was a bright young fellow, and he and Sam had suddenly become very
confidential. It was evident that they had some great scheme on between
them. What it was nobody seemed quite able to make out, and so their
curiosity was much excited, especially when Sam had been seen in close
converse with the cook, and had then, after a hasty visit to the cellar,
hurried away with young Memotas. To make matters worse, Sam had dropped
a couple of large onions ere he reached his sled. Then one of the maids
said she heard him asking the mistress if she had any oil of bergamot,
and if there was any castoreum left in the house. They did not get much
information from him that night, and, strange to say, he was the first
one after dinner that proposed bed. Before daylight a trusty servant
called him, as Sam had desired, and even then, early as it was when he
came down, young Memotas was there awaiting him.
Mrs Ross insisted that both Sam and young Memotas should have a good,
warm breakfast ere they started out. It is very dangerous indeed to
start off in the morning without a good, warm, generous meal. While the
two boys were eating their breakfast a trusty Indian called out Sam's
dogs, and now there they stood, longing to be off. They did not return
until the afternoon, and then they proudly brought in two prime wild
cats which they had captured. Sam that evening told how that he and
young Memotas had found the tracks of them some days before, and that
they had been busy ever since making a dead fall, and the last day or so
they had been decoying them to the place by the scent of onions. This
would bring them into the vicinity of the trap; but he said that he
remembered reading somewhere that some animals were attracted by
bergamot, and so he begged a little from Mrs Ross, and sure enough
there the two wild cats were securely caught. The weight of the logs
had been increased by heavy stones, and so, he added, "The animals were
quite dead when we reached them. As there were other tracks around we
have been busy ever since making traps of the same kind."
Alec had not accomplished much beyond finding the frozen part of the
hind foot of a marten in one of his steel traps. He noticed which way
the animal had gone, and so, taking a couple of dogs out of his sled, he
put them on the trail, and to his surprise and delight they quickly ran
it down. He rescued it from them as speedily as possible. It was quite
dead, but its beautiful fur was uninjured.
Frank was eager to be off again with old Memotas to see the result of
the new method, to him, of trap-setting for a cunning old fox. But
Memotas, who was and experienced himself, said:
"Wait one day more yet. That old fox not going to walk into that trap
the first day, nor perhaps the second day. You have been well feeding
him on plenty of bait, and he not a bit hungry. But when he get hungry
perhaps he go prowling round to see if his friend hasn't come with any
more bait for him. For foxes get to know traps that seem just set for
them to live from."
This was all rather hard on Frank, but he had come to see that it was
all true, and so he patiently waited until the old man came in and said
he thought perhaps they might go and see if that fox was still playing
any of his tricks. The train was soon harnessed, and away they flew
over the icy lake, and then into the forest trail. On and on they went,
until they came near the spot where the traps had all been set. Every
one that Frank had set was sprung and empty, and the one that Memotas
had set with such care was missing! Nowhere could Frank see it or any
trace of it. Memotas quickly stepped out a hundred feet or so, and then
began walking in a circle around the spot. He had not more than half
completed the circle before he quickly called to Frank, who at once
hurried to his side. Pointing to a peculiar spot in the snow that had
been much disturbed, Memotas said:
"I think fox caught with both fore legs in the trap. He is now walking
away on his hind legs and holding up the trap in his mouth. See, there
he walk on two legs! See, there he rest!" And the old man began to
hurry on, closely followed by Frank, to whom he explained every movement
the fox had made.
"Must be a fine big fox to get away so far with the trap on both fore
feet," said Memotas. "But listen!"
A strange snarling-like sound fell on their ears, and with it something
like the fierce yelping of a fiery young dog. Memotas had quickly
dropped flat on the ground in the snow, and Frank crouched beside him.
The old man whispered to Frank to give him his long hunting knife.
"Some other animal, wild cat perhaps, meet fox, and they fighting. Keep
still, I must go back to the sled for the gun."
Without making the slightest noise the old man glided back, and was soon
lost to sight.
Fortunately, there was a dense clump of evergreen balsam or spruce trees
between the contending animals and Frank. Then they were so absorbed in
their own quarrel that they were not very alert in watching for others.
However, Frank knew enough to keep perfectly still, although he
confessed he clutched the knife several times more firmly as the blood-
curdling snarls of the wild cat pierced the air so near. Soon Memotas
was back again, and then the question was to get a successful shot at
the wild cat, as it was evident the fox was sure enough. At first
Memotas crawled forward closer to the trees, the branches of which,
laden down with snow, reached to the ground all around. Carefully
peering through the dense branches, he gazed intently for a time, and
then he silently beckoned Frank to come. Noiselessly he crawled up
beside Memotas, and after his eyes had become accustomed to the work he
was able to see the two animals not more than two hundred feet away.
The two fore legs of the fox were securely fastened in the steel trap,
which seemed to have closed on him about four inches up from his feet.
The wild cat was a fierce old male, and was doing his best to get a good
grip on the fox. This the fox was resolved not to let him have, and so
he kept his face toward his foe, and whenever the latter would spring at
him the fox would suddenly raise himself, and, throwing up the trap so
securely fastened on his fore legs, would bang it down with a whack on
the head of the wild cat. With a snarl the cat would suddenly back off
and arch up his back and snarl worse than ever. It was the queerest
battle that Memotas had ever witnessed, and every time the trap rattled
on the head or body of the wild cat the old man fairly quivered with
excitement and delight. To Frank the sight was also the oddest and
queerest he had ever even heard of. At one skillful parry the fox,
although so terribly handicapped, was able to give the cat a whack that
sent him fairly sprawling in the snow. At the sight of this Frank had
to crowd his fur mitten into his mouth to prevent him from fairly
shouting out:
"Well done, old fox!"
Why they remained so in this one open place, Frank now saw, was because
the fox was fearful that if he got in among the fallen logs or the rocks
the wild cat would have the advantage, and thus succeed in springing
upon his back, while he, so hampered, could make but little resistance.
All at once Frank saw the animals cease both the attack and their
noises. Memotas, quick and alert, suddenly brought his gun into
position, and the next instant, as Frank heard the jingling of distant
bells, there also rang out the report of the gun, and the wild cat
tumbled over dead.
Springing up, Memotas called Frank to follow, and together they quickly
hurried after the fox, that was now again desperately striving to get
away.
Memotas did not wish to injure the valuable skin by piercing it with a
ball, and so, picking up a heavy clublike branch of a tree, he quickly
killed the fox without breaking the skin.
A few minutes after Alec drove up along the trail. He had visited his
traps and snares, and had decided to take this trail on his way home.
His bells were the ones heard by the two fighters. Well was it that
Memotas's quick ears also heard them, and that he was able to fire
before the wild cat had fled into the forest.
They were soon all on their way home again. The fox was a great beauty,
and although it was a cross, yet it was so nearly black that a large sum
was given for it.
For many a day after Frank talked and laughed about that oddest of all
fights, the one between the trapped fox and the fierce old wild cat.