as the very first
thing with which they must reckon. In this connection they were glad when
they learned that Big Buffalo had gone away on a hunting trip with a
large party of Delawares and would probably not return until spring.

There was another subject which was sometimes spoken of--the fact that
the prowling enemy who had killed their horse had not for a long time
given any sign of being in the vicinity. Out of these talks grew a theory
that, perhaps, that secret foe was Big Pete Ellis, and that having killed
old Jerry he had at last decided that his revenge was complete.

Their health, too, was a matter for daily thought with the boys, and
remembering that they must be careful to guard against needless exposure,
but both being hardy and robust, they were little troubled.

So the time passed and all promised well. They contrived many traps for
the capture of fur-bearing animals, and to catch turkeys and other game
for food. Chief of their traps was the dead-fall, made by propping up one
end of a short piece of puncheon or hewed plank, in such a way that it
would fall upon the animal which attempted to secure the bait placed on a
trigger beneath it. This trigger was a part of the prop under the
puncheon and gave way at the slightest jar. As the plank fell it caught
the creature which had disturbed it, and being weighted down with stones,
held its victim fast.

Wolf pens were also made and very successfully used. These were built of
small logs on the same principle as a box trap, having a very heavy lid
which fell, shutting inside any animal which entered and attempted to eat
the bait placed on the spindle, which at the least pull, gave way,
letting the lid fall.

The turkey traps were made in the Indian fashion. A small, low enclosure
was built with sticks, a small opening or door being made close to the
ground. The pen was then covered with brush except for a passage way
leading to the door, and along this path beechnuts or other bait, were
scattered, the trail of nuts extending into the enclosure. A turkey
finding the food would follow it, its head near the ground, enter the
pen, and having eaten all it could find, would raise its head and so be
unable to see its way out.

The boys did not have so much time for hunting as they had planned upon,
and yet scarcely a day passed but one of them sallied forth, nearly
always coming home with valued furs or meat for their table. They found
it advisable that one shou