s he trimmed off the branches with his ax, leaving the thick
branches on both ends and on the other side. He then laid the sapling
across the runway where the runway passed between two trees, placing it
in such manner that the branches on each end of the sapling supported it
about eighteen inches above the snow, and the trimmed section of the
sapling left an opening for the runway.

On each side of the runway he now placed an upright stick, and between
the sticks and the trees on each side made a thick network of branches,
that only the gateway between the sticks, with the sapling above, would
be open for the passage of rabbits, and there would be no temptation to
pass around or to jump over the obstruction of branches on the upper
side of the sapling.

This done, he made a slipnoose on one end of a piece of twine. The other
end of the twine he tied to the sapling directly over the runway, and
spreading the noose around the gateway through the barricade, stood up
and surveyed his work.

"There she is, all ready for un to come along and get caught," he said
with pride.

"Don't you bait it with anything?" asked Charley, who had watched the
making of the snare with much interest.

"No, we don't bait un," explained Toby. "'Tis a runway where rabbits
goes, and they'll go right through un without bait, and get caught."

"Rabbits must be chumps to walk right into a contraption like that
without any reason, when they've miles of space to go around," Charley
declared.

"They're wonderful foolish creatures," said Toby. "They never seems to
know enough to go around."

Darkness comes early at this season in that northern latitude, and when
the boys had set six snares they suddenly became aware that it was
nearly sunset. They must set out on their return to the cabin without
delay.

"This _is_ the life!" exclaimed Charley, as they turned back. "Seems to
me an afternoon never flew so fast!"

"When I'm busy workin' I finds the time does go wonderful fast," agreed
Toby. "Havin' you along it went a wonderful lot faster'n when I'm
alone, too. 'Tis fine to have you here, Charley!"

"I'm having a great time, too! It's a peck of fun getting off here in
the woods away from everything, and setting snares."

"Aye, 'tis that."

"When shall we know whether we have caught anything?"

"We'll come and look at un first thing in the marnin'."

"I can't wait to see!"

"'Twill be more fun when we sets marten and fox traps. I'm goin