Those that do not actually
live by the water seek these places because of their sheltered
character and because their prey lives there; of this class are
the lynx, fox, fisher, and marten that feed on rabbits and mice.
Therefore a line of traps is usually along some valley and over
the divide and down some other valley back to the point of
beginning.
So, late in September, Rolf and Quonab, with their bedding, a
pot, food for four days, and two axes, alternately followed and
led by Skookum, set out along a stream that entered the lake near
their cabin. A quarter mile up they built their first deadfall
for martens. It took them one hour and was left unset. The
place was under a huge tree on a neck of land around which the
stream made a loop. This tree they blazed on three sides. Two
hundred yards up another good spot was found and a deadfall made.
At one place across a neck of land was a narrow trail evidently
worn by otters. "Good place for steel trap, bime-by," was
Quonab's remark.
From time to time they disturbed deer, and in a muddy place where
a deer path crossed the creek, they found, among the numerous
small hoof prints, the track of wolves, bears, and a mountain
lion, or panther.
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