He did not smile, or sing, or
utter words, or give it a name, but he sat beside it and
looked hard at it, and, in the first place, he went there
knowingly to find it. Who shall say that its beauty did
not reach his soul?
He took out his pipe and tobacco bag, but was reminded
of something lacking -- the bag was empty. He returned
to his wigwam, and from their safe hanger or swinging
shelf overhead, he took the row of stretched skins, ten
muskrats and one mink, and set out along a path which
led southward through the woods to the broad, open place
called Strickland's Plain, across that, and over the next
rock ridge to the little town and port of Myanos.
SILAS PECK
Trading Store
was the sign over the door he entered. Men and women
were buying and selling, but the Indian stood aside shyly
until all were served, and Master Peck cried out:
"Ho, Quonab! what have ye got for trade to-day?"
Quonab produced his furs. The dealer looked at them
narrowly and said:
"They are too late in the season for primes; I cannot
allow you more than seven cents each for the rats and
seventy-five cents for the mink, all trade.
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