e Indian chiefs have their totems. One is called
the Great Otter; another the Serpent, and so on, and so they sign a
figure like the animal they are named from. Then, ma'am, you see, we
trappers, who almost live with them, have names given to us also and
they have called me the Painter."

"Why did they name you the Painter?"

"Because I killed two of them in one day."

"Killed two painters!" cried the girls.

"Yes, miss; killed them both with my rifle."

"But why did you kill the men?" said Emma; "was it in battle?"

"Kill the men, miss; I said nothing about men; I said I killed two
painters," replied Martin, laughing, and showing a row of teeth as white
as ivory.

"What is a painter, then, Super?" inquired Mrs. Campbell.

"Why, it's an animal, and a very awkward creature, I can tell you,
sometimes."

"The drawing is something like a panther, mamma," exclaimed Mary.

"Well, miss, it may be a panther, but we only know them by the other
name."

Mr. Farquhar then came in, and the question was referred to him; he
laughed and told them that painters were a species of panther, not
spotted but tawny-colored, and at times very dangerous.

"Do you know the part of the country where we are going to?" said Henry
to Super.

"Yes, I have trapped thereabouts for months, but the beavers are scarce
now."

"Are there any other animals there?"

"Yes," replied Martin, "small game, as we term it."

"What sort are they?"

"Why, there's painters, and bears, and catamounts."

"Mercy on us! do you call that small game? why, what must the large be,
then?" said Mrs. Campbell.

"Buffaloes, missus, is what we call big game."

"But the animals you speak of are not good eating, Super," said Mrs.
Campbell; "is there no game that we can eat?"

"Oh, yes, plenty of deer and wild turkey, and bear's good eating, I
reckon."

"Ah! that sounds better."

After an hour's conversation, Martin Super was dismissed; the whole of
the family (except Alfred, who was not at home) very much pleased with
what they had seen of him.

A few days after this, Martin Super, who had now entered upon service,
and was very busy with Alfred, with whom he had already become a
favorite, was sent for by Mr. Campbell, who read over to him the
inventory of the articles which they had, and inquired of him if there
was any thing else which might be necessary or advisable to take with
them.

"You said something about guns," replied Martin, "what sort of