finished the Indian turned
to Pat.

"You come," he said simply, and turned toward the woods.

CHAPTER XIX

SPARRER SAVES THE SKIN

Without hesitancy Pat followed the Indian. It was a queer sight, the
Indian leading with his hands bound behind him, and Pat with his rifle
across the hollow of one arm stalking grimly behind him. They were soon
lost to view and the others settled down to wait and speculate. It was
almost three-quarters of an hour later that they reappeared, and it was
seen at once that Pat carried a black object swinging from one hand. As
by one impulse the three boys rushed forward to meet them. In their
haste they quite forgot that they were on snow-shoes, with the result
that Sparrer took an inglorious header, in the course of which he upset
Walter and the latter, landing on the tail of one of Hal's shoes, sent
him sprawling. Alec roared and even Big Pierre permitted himself to
grin.

By the time all three had regained their feet Pat and the Indian had
come up.

"Here you are, son! See if you can take better care of him this time,"
said Pat as he flung the fox at Sparrer's feet.

With a cry of joy Sparrer seized the fox and held him up for the
admiring gaze of his comrades. The animal had not been skinned, for
which Pat and Alec were sincerely thankful. This important matter and
the stretching of the skin they preferred to attend to themselves,
especially after seeing the careless way in which some of the furs found
in the cabin had been handled.

"Where did you find him?" asked Hal as he ran his fingers through the
luxuriant fur.

"In a hollow tree, just as Pierre guessed," replied Pat. "The Injun
wouldn't answer any questions, but it is clear enough that he didn't
have time to skin the beast last night, and hid it there on his way to
camp, intending to get it the first chance he had when Pierre wasn't
around. He took good care of it, and it is in perfect condition. That
was some shot of yours, son."

Sparrer flushed with pleasure. "'Twa'n't nothin'," he mumbled. "Anybody
could have done it."

By this time they had rejoined Alec and Pierre. The latter's eyes
glittered as he ran them appraisingly over the beautiful black form of
the fox, then darted a malevolent glance in the direction of his
partner.

"What will that skin bring, Alec?" asked Pat.

The trapper was studying the fox with the critical stare of the expert.
"I dinna ken, Pat," he replied slowly. "'Tis a big beastie,