Meanwhile Hal had been examining the trap and trying to force down the springs. "I'm blessed if I see how you set one of the things," said he at last.
"I'll show ye, only when it's set ye want to keep away from it. It's more dangerous than a bar himsel'."
He brought forth two screw clamps and adjusted them to the double springs of the traps. By turning thumb-screws the springs were compressed and held so that the jaws of the trap could be opened and the pan set to hold them. The boys noticed that in doing this he worked from underneath, sure sign of the careful and experienced trapper. In the event of the clamps slipping there would be no chance of his hand or arm being caught in the jaws.
"How does the bear get caught?" asked Sparrer, to whom traps were an unknown quantity.
"By stepping on that pan," explained Pat. "I'll show you."
He removed the clamps and then with a long stick touched the pan. Instantly the jaws flew up and closed with a vicious snap, biting into the soft wood so that pull as they would the boys were unable to get the stick out.
"Huh!" exclaimed Hal, "I'd hate to have that thing get me by the leg! I should think it would break the bone."
"It very likely would unless your leg was pretty well protected. A bear's bones are not so brittle and do not break easily, but once that thing has got a grip it's there to stay," said Pat.
"I suppose you cover the trap up so that the bear won't see it," ventured Upton.
"Right, son. That is just what we do," replied Pat. "We cover it with leaves or moss, according to where the set is made."