not condescend to speak
it. This, however, was of slight importance, as I had learned to jabber
fluently in the native tongue.

We speedily half-filled the large game-bag which the Indian carried.

"I think we'll go into the thicker woods now," said I, "and try for some
tree grouse by way of variety."

Big Otter gave a mild grunt of assent. He was not naturally given to
much talking, and, being amiable, was always ready to conform to any
plan without discussion, unless expressly asked. Indeed, even when
expressly asked, it was not always possible to get a satisfactory answer
out of him.

"Do you think we should go up the Dark Valley, or over the Rocky Knoll,"
said I, referring to two well-known spots a considerable distance from
the fort.

"The pale-face chief knows best."

"Yes, but the pale-face asks what the red-face thinks," said I, somewhat
amused by the answer.

"He thinks that there are grouse in the Dark Valley, and also in the
lands towards the setting sun over the Rocky Knoll."

"If I were to ask you, Big Otter, which of the two directions you would
like to take, what would you reply?"

"I would reply, `The direction that best pleases the pale-face chief.'"

"Now, Big Otter," said I, firmly, for I was determined to get an answer
out of him, "in which of the two paths are we most likely to find the
greatest number of birds?"

"Assuredly in the path which shall be chosen by the pale-face. Is he
not a great hunter? Does he not know the land?"

I gave in with a short laugh, and, turning, led the way over the Rocky
Knoll into the dense forest at the back of the fort. Passing through a
belt of this, we came upon more open ground, where the trees grew in
clumps, with willow-covered spaces between. Beyond that we re-entered
the thick woods, and at once set up a covey of the birds we were in
search of. There were six of them, and they all perched on a
neighbouring tree.

Now it is sometimes the case that the birds of which I write are so tame
that they will sit still on a tree till they are all shot, one by one,
if only the hunter is careful to fire at the lowest bird first, and so
proceed upwards. If he should kill the top bird first, its fluttering
fall disturbs the rest, causing them to take wing. Fully aware of this
fact, Big Otter and I fired alternate shots, and in a few seconds
brought down the whole covey. This quite filled one of our bags.

"You may take it home, Big Otter," said I