ld P

when his right foot slipped upon one of the outspreading roots, hidden under a carpet of smooth b

imself, had not a new actor appeared upon the scene. The boats had come to a halt to rest the men just about the time that Hector ran off a

, as he stood looking all about him. 'Wh

the sharp barking of the two dogs. 'Eh! eh!' he muttered. 'They've started up som

rot. As the barking came more strongly to his ears, he realized that something serious

g him to the scene of action, and swinging around the pi

eat black brute reared to strike at Hector. The whole charge of heavy buckshot took effect ful

lly hugely proud of his own success as a bear killer, and this rose superior to his anger. Raising Hector to his feet, he said, mildly enough: 'Ye didna heed ma word, lad

deserved reproof, Hector darted off, and presently returned with several of th

is noble prize, before it was skinned, and so he per

four strong men bending beneath the weight of their trophy, and the two dogs frisking and bar

ited praise and patting, which they accepted with their wonted dignity. Among the boatmen were those who knew exactly what to do with the bear, which was in super

the Fox River, and later into the Hill River, which was the most rapi

of which could be ascended by the laden boats. It was, therefore, necessary to take out all the cargo, portage it across one o

of the tired toilers, they reached Oxford House, an important post of the Hudson

rs to Ailie, taking her to play upon the bank, picking flowers for her, and pointing out the birds in the trees, and the tiny creatures that rustled through the dry grass. Often his mother wo

ost of the men went either shooting or fishing. Andrew Macrae preferred the former, and, having succeeded i

g on the bias, promised them plenty of ducks. They paddled up the lake for several miles until

was directed to a good landing-place. 'Hide him,' grunted the half-breed, an

bsolutely nothing to do but search the sky for the black specks that would grow into the toothsome birds they sought, and, as none of these were visible, he naturally grew restles

in a relieved way. Far to the west, a thin black line showed faintly above

rs awaited their approach. When the orderly array of winged voyageurs had come within re

ds which issued from him. The

of wings, dropped down upon the still surface of the little bay, right in front of their hidden enemy. The moment they were

r was no less quick in springing into it, and off they went after the bir

was not a difficult thing to do, but the sudden excitement after the wearisome waiting had flustered him. He was so eager

dness, and alarmed about his own safety. So, without one thought of the boy, he made for the

m. Indeed, neither Dour nor Dandy could get faster through the water. But the ice-cold lake int

and legs until he could scarce keep his head above water. Indeed it did go under once, the water smothering the