ly, and by night
the little streams were strongly frozen, and around the lake the ice
stretched far out from the shore. So we gathered up the canoes and
stored them for the winter upside down upon stages made for the
purpose; and that night before we turned in we saw, for the first time
that season, _Akwutinoowe_--"The Freezing Moon."

IV

OO-KOO-HOO PLAYS THE GAME

TRAILING THE BEAR

"My son, a good hunter is never long in doubt; for when he discovers a
bear track and follows it for a few hundred paces, he knows whether the
track was made by day or by night, whether the bear was large or small,
old or young, male or female; whether its coat was in condition or not;
whether the beast was merely wandering or travelling with a purpose in
view; whether it was frightened or undisturbed; whether going fast or
slow; and whether seeking friends or food. Also, the hunter knows
which way the wind was blowing when the track was made, he knows
whether the bear felt tired or active, and, furthermore, whether or not
it wanted to go to bed."

I laughed aloud.

Instantly the old man's kindly face was clouded with a frown and he
exclaimed:

"My son . . . that was the laugh of a _monias_ (greenhorn)", and
glaring at me, he added: "At first, I thought better of you, but now I
am sure that all white men are fools!"

Realizing my mistake, I sobered, and suggested that if he would explain
I would have a chance to learn the ways of a great hunter.

"My son, it is a simple matter to read a track--that is, when one has
learned the game. For then one has but to look, remember, and reason,
and then the whole story unfolds before your eyes; just as when you
open and read what you white men call a book. And some day, my son, if
you try hard to learn, you, too, may be able to read the tales of the
Strong Woods Country. Now listen to your grandfather and he will
explain: under ordinary conditions a deep, clear track implies action;
a faint, shallow one, inaction; the length of the stride indicates the
speed; if, when travelling slow, hair is found upon the underwood, the
animal passed at night, for in daylight a bear is as careful as a lynx
to avoid striking things; if the bear is young or middle aged, the claw
marks are sharp and clean cut; if it is old, they are blunt and
blurred. The tracks of the male, though larger, are not so round as
those of the female, and the male's toes are not only longer and spread
farther apart