already." A loud howl followed the remark, and the whole pack fled over
the plain like snow-drift, and disappeared.

"Ah, that's a pity! something must have scared them to make them take
wing like that. However, we'll get one to-morrow for certain; so come
along, lad, let us make for the camp."

"Not so fast," replied the other: "if you hadn't pored over the big
ledger till you were blind, you would see that there is _one_ prisoner
already."

This proved to be the case. On returning to the spot they found an
arctic fox in his last gasp, lying flat on the snow, with the heavy log
across his back, which seemed to be broken. A slight tap on the snout
with the accountant's deadly axe-handle completed his destruction.

"We're in luck to-night," cried Harry, as he kneeled again to reset the
trap. "But, after all, these white brutes are worth very little; I
fancy a hundred of their skins would not be worth the black one you got
first."

"Be quick, Harry; the moon is almost down, and poor Hamilton will think
that the polar bears have got hold of us."

"All right! Now, then, step out;" and glancing once more at the trap to
see that all was properly arranged, the two friends once more turned
their faces homewards, and travelled over the snow with rapid strides.

The moon had just set, leaving the desolate scene in deep gloom, so that
they could scarcely find their way to the forest; and when they did at
last reach its shelter, the night became so intensely dark that they had
almost to grope their way, and would certainly have lost it altogether
were it not for the accountant's thorough knowledge of the locality. To
add to their discomfort, as they stumbled on snow began to fall, and ere
long a pretty steady breeze of wind drove it sharply in their faces.
However, this mattered but little, as they penetrated deeper in among
the trees, which proved a complete shelter both from wind and snow. An
hour's march brought them to the mouth of the brook, although half that
time would have been sufficient had it been daylight, and a few minutes
later they had the satisfaction of hearing Hamilton's voice hailing them
as they pushed aside the bushes and sprang into the cheerful light of
their encampment.

"Hurrah!" shouted Harry, as he leaped into the space before the fire,
and flung the two foxes at Hamilton's feet. "What do you think of
_that_, old fellow? How are the heels? Rather sore, eh? Now for the
kettle. `Poll