For several centuries Sekoosew had helped to make history.

It was he--when his pelt was worth a hundred dollars in king's gold--that lured the first shipload of gentlemen adventurers over the sea, with Prince Rupert at their head.
It was little Sekoosew who was responsible for the forming of the great Hudson's Bay Company and the discovery of half a continent.

For almost three centuries he had fought his fight for existence with the trapper.
And now, though he was no longer worth his weight in yellow gold, he was the cleverest, the fiercest, and the most merciless of all the creatures that made up his world.
As Baree lay under his tree, Sekoosew was creeping on his prey.

His game was a big fat spruce hen standing under a thicket of black currant bushes.

The ear of no living thing could have heard Sekoosew's movement.