“Wal,” said Uncle Joe, dropping his rifle into the hollow of his arm, “the hounds have found some of the mutton, but the varmint has took himself safe off.”

The boys quickly threw aside the boughs, and in a few moments the mangled remains of one of the sheep were brought to light.  The thief had probably had more than enough for one meal, and had hidden the surplus carefully away, intending, no doubt, to return and make a meal of it when food was not quite so plenty.

“Wal, boys,” said the farmer, “no use to try to foller the varmint any further.  Put the sheep back where you found it, and this afternoon you can take one of your traps and set it so that you can ketch him when he comes back for what he has left.”  So saying, he shouldered his rifle and walked off, followed by his hounds.

In a few moments the boys had placed every thing as they had found it as nearly as possible, and hurried on after the farmer.

That afternoon, after disposing of an excellent dinner, Frank and Archie started into the woods to set a trap for the thief.  They took with them a large wolf-trap, weighing about thirty pounds.  It was a “savage thing,” as Uncle Joe said, with a powerful spring on each side, which severely taxed their united strength in setting it; and its thick, stout jaws, which came together with a noise like the report of a gun, were armed with long, sharp teeth; and if a wolf or panther once got his foot between them, he might as well give up without a struggle.  Instead of their guns, each shouldered an ax.  Frank took possession of the trap, and Archie carried a piece of heavy chain with which to fasten the “clog” to the trap.  Half an hour’s walk brought them to the place where the wild-cat had buried his plunder.  After considerable exertion they succeeded in setting the trap, and placed it in such a manner that it would be impossible for any animal to get at the sheep without being caught.  The chain was them fastened to the trap, and to this was attached the clog, which was a long, heavy limb.  Trappers, when they wish to take such powerful animals as the bear or panther, always make use of the clog.  They never fasten the trap to a stationary object.  When the animal finds that he is caught, his first impulse is to run.  The clog is not heavy enough to hold him still, but as he drags it through the woods, it is continually catching on bushes and frees, and retarding his progress.  But if the animal should find himself unable to move at all, his long, sharp teeth would be put to immediate use, and he would hobble off on three feet, leaving the other in the trap.