I have a limit to my knowledge, and it stops with the capture and drying of the pelts.

What takes place after they get in the hands of the dealer I know nothing about, only that they have mighty cute ways of dyeing many of the cheaper grades, and calling them something else.

A skunk would not sell for as much under its own name as some high sounding one; for you know there is always an unpleasant association connected with the skunk." "You just bet there is," avowed Eli, heartily, as with the conviction of one who knows whereof he speaks; "it associated with me for a whole week once, up in a lumber camp, and by ginger, it was the only thing that would associate with me till my new clothes came along and I could bury the old ones.

After that my curiosity about the cunning little striped beast that used to slink across the tote road was satisfied, and whenever I saw one I'd give a whoop that could be heard a mile away and run for my life! They got to know that yell, and whenever any of the boys heard it they'd laugh and say: 'There's that fool Eli huntin' polecats again.' But I wasn't, not by a jugful; I was giving him a wide berth, and taking off my hat to him in the bargain.

Oh! ever since that day I've had the greatest respect you ever heard tell of for the ornery little critters." By this time they had arrived at the mouth of the little creek, and climbed out upon the upper level.
"I'd think the fur bearing animals would be pretty well cleaned out along here, so close to the post," remarked Cuthbert, still harping on the subject.
"They are as a rule; but when a place is let alone a few years they increase again; and I guess that's what has happened here.