must know,
lads, there was an old chap who once trapped beavers up in them parts--"

"Oh! it's a hanikdot," interrupted Big Waller; "then I guess we'd as
well sot down." So saying, he seated himself on his bundle and, as a
matter of course, proceeded to fill his pipe. The others followed his
example, with the exception of Redhand, who remained standing, and of
Bertram, who quickly opened his sketch-book, that being the first
opportunity he had enjoyed during the day of making an entry therein.

"Right," exclaimed Bounce. "It's allers more feelosophical to sot than
to stand--also more ekornomical, 'cause it saves yer moccasins. Go on
with yer story, old man."

"It ain't a story," said Redhand; "nor I don't think it can even be
called an anecdote. Well, this old chap that once trapped beaver in
them parts came down to Pine Point settlement one year with a load o'
furs, sold 'em all off, took a ragin' fever, and died." Redhand paused,
and gazed dreamily at the ground.

"I say," observed Bounce seriously, "ain't that wot ye may call raither
a short hanikdot--not much in it, eh?"

"But before he died," resumed Redhand without noticing the interruption,
"he sent for me an' said: `Redhand, I'm goin' onder, an' I've got some
property as I don't want lost. Ye know Beaver Creek?' `Yes,' says I,
`every fut of it.' `Well, then,' says he, `there's a spot there with
three mounds on the right side o' the Creek and a tall poplar in front
of 'em.' `I know it,' says I. `Well, w'en I last come from that part,'
says he, `I made a _cache_ at the foot o' that poplar, an' put one or
two things in, which it 'ud be a pity to lose--so I give 'em to you,
Redhand. I was chased by Injuns at the place, so I couldn't stop to
bring 'em away, d'ye see?' `An' what were the things ye put there?'
said I. But he gave me no answer; his mind began to wander, and he
never spoke sense again. Now, lads, this is Beaver Creek, and there
stands the poplar in front o' the three mounds."

Redhand pointed to the tree as he spoke, and the others started up with
alacrity, for the little touch of romance connected with the incident,
combined with their comparatively destitute condition, and their
ignorance of what the concealed treasure might be, powerfully stirred
their curiosity.

Arming themselves with strong staves, they began to dig away the earth
at the roots of the poplar.

After a few minutes' hard work, Bounce rose to wipe the perspirat