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Updated: September 12, 2025
In the course of an hour they had the bow end of the dory well piled up with codfish, and Rob declared that they had enough. They also had nearly a dozen gnarled, knobby-looking fish, mostly all head, which Skookie insisted were better than codfish, to which they later all agreed. Sailors call these fish "sea-lawyers," because of their wide mouths, as they explain it.
The natives don't often get that much, but sometimes a trader will buy a skin for fifty dollars and sell it for five or six hundred. That all depends on the sort of market he finds." "Anyhow," said Jesse, "it proves that Skookie can trap foxes all right." The young Aleut was not disturbed by this praise, and proceeded to further prove his ability as a trapper.
Having bent the grass above his klipsie, and arranged everything so that the place showed no signs of what had been going on, Skookie at last smiled, stood back, and looked cheerfully at his work; then he cast a glance toward the skies, and made a sign with his fingers held downward as though to indicate falling rain. "Bime-by water!" he said.
"He'd just about die if we left him up here; and I don't believe he'll make us trouble any more. Besides, we've got Skookie here to watch him now." Rob debated the matter in his mind for some time, but finally agreed that Jimmy would probably make them no more trouble, since he very possibly was hiding out more in fear of them than in any wish to harm them.
Skookie was less particular, but, with the confidence born of long experience, took a running jump as he pushed off the bidarka and scrambled into the rear hatch. An instant later his own paddle was in motion, and Jesse and he made good speed down the creek.
"It never was long enough to get in the road, John, and it seems as though you had tried your best to shorten it as it was." They never tired of laughing at John for his clumsiness in Aleut table manners. "Now, see here, Jess," said John, "if you keep on making fun of my nose I won't give you any more mud for your old foot. I'm the only one that is not taking the mud cure excepting Skookie.
My hand does not hurt now, and I'll warrant Skookie and I will fix up your foot in a jiffy." He put his head out of the door and called for John and Skookie, both of whom presently came, the latter soon returning with a double handful of mud, for which Rob had asked.
It did not appear to them likely that they would catch anything the first night; but Skookie, it seemed, was of a different opinion. After breakfast he led the way to the place where the trap lay, and without hesitation walked into the tall grass, stooped down, and at once held up to view a long, dark animal at sight of which the boys uttered a joint whoop of joy! "We got him!" said John.
Don't pull too hard now and get fagged, but keep up a steady lick. Jesse, you'd better get in the stem and let John and Skookie each pull an oar. I'll take the other pair. Get your tin pail ready, Jesse, and if we take in any water, keep it bailed out the best you can." The others were plucky, although every one was anxious.
The young friends engaged in some speculation as to how much the skin might bring at the Seattle market. One thing of value it seemed to establish beyond doubt Jimmy and Skookie, as they both worked at fleshing the hide, had dropped their mutual suspicions and become hunting companions.
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