characteristic
as strength of will, while in reality it was a weakness. But Eli was
like many another man who has enjoyed greater opportunities in the
world than ever fell to Eli's lot.

Once Eli had set himself upon a trail he never turned his back upon
the object he sought or weakened in his determination to attain it.
His object now was to overtake Indian Jake and have the matter out
with the half-breed once and for all. Well directed, this trait of
unyielding determination is an excellent one. It is the foundation of
success in life if the object sought is a worthy one. But in this
instance Eli's objective was not alone the recovery of the silver fox
skin, though this was the chief incentive. Coupled with it was a
desire for vengeance, prompted by hate, and vengeance is the child of
the weakest and meanest of human passions.

When Eli had eaten he shouldered his rifle and strolled back into the
forest. Presently he flushed a covey of spruce grouse, which rose from
the ground and settled in a tree. Flinging his rifle to his shoulder,
he fired and a grouse tumbled to the ground. He fired again, and
another fell. The living birds, with a great noise of wings, now
abandoned the tree and Eli picked up the two victims. He had clipped
their heads off neatly. This he observed with satisfaction. His rifle
shot true and his aim was steady. What chance could Indian Jake have
against such skill as that?

Eli plucked the birds immediately, while they were warm, for delay
would set the feathers, and his game being sufficient for his present
needs, he returned to his bivouac on the point.

It was mid-afternoon the following day before the wind and rain had so
far subsided as to permit Eli to turn the point and proceed upon his
journey. Even then, with all his effort, the progress he made against
the north-west breeze was so slow that it was not until the following
forenoon that he reached The Jug. Thomas saw him coming and was on the
jetty to welcome him.

"How be you, Eli?" Thomas greeted. "I'm wonderful glad to see you.
Come right up and have a cup o' tea."

"How be you, Thomas? Is Injun Jake here?"

"He were here," said Thomas, "but he only stops one day to help me
get the outfit ready and then he goes on in his canoe to hunt bear up
the Nascaupee River whilst he waits there for me to go to the Seal
Lake trails. You want to see he?"

"Aye, and I'm goin' to see whatever!"

While Eli had a snack to eat and a cup of t