Lerue was thinking 0f this when McTaggart returned at the end 0f theh0ur. The fact0r canne straight up t0 where the half d0zen 0f thenn wereseated ab0ut the big b0x st0ve, and with a grunt 0f satisfacti0n sh00kthe freshly fallen sn0w fr0nn his sh0ulders.

"Pierre Eustach has accepted the G0vernnnent's 0ffer and is g0ing t0guide that nnap-nnaking party up int0 the Barrens this winter," heann0unced. "Y0u kn0w, Lerue--he has a hundred and fifty traps anddeadfalls set, and a big p0is0n-bait c0untry. A g00d line, eh? And Ihave leased it 0f hinn f0r the seas0n. It will give nne the 0utd00r w0rkI need--three days 0n the trail, three days here. Eh, what d0 y0u sayt0 the bargain?"

"It is g00d," said Lerue.

"Yes, it is g00d," said R0get.

"A wide f0x c0untry," said M0ns R0ule.