They learned at last that the enemy had a trap-line, for part of which he used their deadfalls.

He had been the rounds lately and had profited at least a little by their labours.
The track, though two days old, was not hard to follow, either on snow or ground.

Quonab looked to the lock of his gun; his lower lip tightened and he strode along.
"What are you going to do, Quonab?
Not shoot ?" "When I get near enough," and the dangerous look in the red man's eye told Rolf to be quiet and follow.
In three miles they passed but three of his marten traps--very lazy trapping--and then found a great triangle of logs by a tree with a bait and signs enough to tell the experienced eye that, in that corner, was hidden a huge steel trap for bear.
They were almost too late in restraining the knowledge-hunger of Skookum.

They went on a mile or two and realized in so doing that, however poor a trapper the enemy might be, he was a good tramper and knew the country.
At sundown they came to their half-way shelter and put up there for the night.

Once when Rolf went out to glimpse the skies before turning in, he heard a far tree creaking and wondered, for it was dead calm.