"Well, I'll eat it myself," bravely remarked Wolverine, "for I'm hungry."
"You always are, 'Gulo the Glutton,' as Men call you," twittered Jay.
"I don't care for hot pork, though," retorted the other, making a grimace at the Bird.
"I believe they are heading for your house, Black Fox," remarked Rof, as they trudged on again.
"François is setting a Trap in the King's Palace--in the Court Yard," cried Whisky-Jack, fluttering back to meet them. Sure enough, as the friends crouched in a little coulee they could see the Half-breed covering up a "No. 3" directly in front of Fox's hole. Near the Trap François deposited two pieces of meat.
"If the Old Lady comes out she'll get her toes pinched," remarked Carcajou.
Black Fox laughed. "When François catches Mother, we all shall be very dead."
When the Trapper had gone, the Comrades drew close, and gingerly reconnoitred. "Only one Trap!" cried Carcajou; "this is too easy." Cautiously fishing about in the snow he found a chain; pulling the Trap out, he gave it a yank--something touched the centre-plate, and it went off with a vicious snap that made their hearts jump.
"Is the Bait all right, Whisky-Jack," asked Black King. "Was there any talk of White Powder?"
"There's nothing in it," replied the Bird; "I saw them cut the Meat."