But this was merely the beginning.
The trapper law of the wilderness is much like all primitive laws; first come has first right, provided he is able to hold it.

If a strong rival comes in, the first must fight as best he can.

The law justifies him in anything he may do, if he succeeds.

The law justifies the second in anything he may do, except murder.

That is, the defender may shoot to kill; the offender may not.
But the fact of Quonab's being an Indian and Rolf supposedly one, would turn opinion against them in the Adirondacks, and it was quite likely that the rival considered them trespassers on his grounds, although the fact that he robbed their traps without removing them, and kept out of sight, rather showed the guilty conscience of a self-accused poacher.
He came in from the west, obviously; probably the Racquet River country; was a large man, judging by his foot and stride, and understood trapping; but lazy, for he set no traps.