things are not and ought not ever to be given to the will of man--
though if such a gift was to be given me, I would say, twenty and the
wilderness! But, tell me; how do you part with the peltry?"

"With my pelts! I never took a skin from a buck, nor a quill from a
goose, in my life! I knock them over, now and then, for a meal, and
sometimes to keep my finger true to the touch; but when hunger is
satisfied, the prairie wolves get the remainder. No--no--I keep to my
calling; which pays me better, than all the fur I could sell on the
other side of the big river."

The old man appeared to ponder a little; but shaking his head he soon
continued--

"I know of but one business that can be followed here with profit--"

He was interrupted by the youth, who raised a small cup of tin, which
dangled at his neck before the other's eyes, and springing its lid,
the delicious odour of the finest flavoured honey, diffused itself
over the organs of the trapper.

"A bee hunter!" observed the latter, with a readiness that proved he
understood the nature of the occupation, though not without some
little surprise at discovering one of the other's spirited mien
engaged in so humble a pursuit. "It pays well in the skirts of the
settlements, but I should call it a doubtful trade, in the more open
districts."

"You think a tree is wanting for a swarm to settle in! But I know
differently; and so I have stretched out a few hundred miles farther