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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Through Forest and Fire, by Edward Ellis
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Through Forest and Fire
+       Wild-Woods Series No. 1
+
+Author: Edward Ellis
+
+Release Date: August 8, 2005 [EBook #16472]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THROUGH FOREST AND FIRE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Bethanne M. Simms, Janet Blenkinship and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Book Cover]
+
+
+
+_WILD-WOODS SERIES--No. 1._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "Heavenly Father! please take care of me," prayed
+Nellie.]
+
+
+THROUGH FOREST AND FIRE
+
+
+BY
+
+EDWARD S. ELLIS,
+
+AUTHOR OF "YOUNG PIONEER SERIES," "LOG CABIN
+SERIES," "DEERFOOT SERIES," "WYOMING
+SERIES," ETC., ETC.
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+PHILADELPHIA:
+PORTER & COATES.
+
+
+COPYRIGHT, 1891,
+
+BY
+
+PORTER & COATES.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+CHAPTER                                       PAGE
+
+    I.--NICK,                                    5
+
+   II.--SCHOOL DAYS,                            14
+
+  III.--A MATHEMATICAL DISCUSSION,              21
+
+   IV.--LOST,                                   29
+
+    V.--THE PARTY OF SEARCH,                    37
+
+   VI.--GROPING IN DARKNESS,                    47
+
+  VII.--AN ALARMING DISCOVERY,                  55
+
+ VIII.--STARTLING FOOTPRINTS,                   63
+
+   IX.--THE LITTLE WANDERER,                    69
+
+    X.--IN GREAT DANGER,                        79
+
+   XI.--"GOTT SEI DANK!"                        88
+
+  XII.--OMINOUS PREPARATIONS,                   96
+
+ XIII.--THE BEAR HUNTERS,                      103
+
+  XIV.--A RECRUIT,                             113
+
+   XV.--A SURPRISE,                            119
+
+  XVI.--THE DINNER IN THE WOODS,               126
+
+ XVII.--A TEST OF MARKSMANSHIP,                132
+
+XVIII.--A QUAIL,                               139
+
+  XIX.--AN UNEXPECTED LESSON,                  145
+
+   XX.--BOWSER PROVES HIMSELF OF SOME USE,     152
+
+  XXI.--FACE TO FACE,                          158
+
+ XXII.--THE "VACANT CHAIR,"                    165
+
+  XXIII.--HUNTING A BUCK,                      171
+
+   XXIV.--HUNTED BY A BUCK,                    176
+
+    XXV.--THE CAMP FIRE,                       183
+
+   XXVI.--AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK,                190
+
+  XXVII.--WAS IT A JOKE?                       196
+
+ XXVIII.--THE TRAIL OF THE BEAR,               205
+
+   XXIX.--"HELP! HELP!"                        209
+
+    XXX.--A FRIEND IN NEED,                    216
+
+   XXXI.--THE "DARK DAY" OF SEPTEMBER, 1881,   222
+
+ XXXII.--THE BURNING FOREST,                   231
+
+ XXXIII.--THROUGH THE FIRE,                    246
+
+  XXXIV.--CALLING IN VAIN,                     248
+
+   XXXV.--WHAT FRIGHTENED NELLIE,              257
+
+  XXXVI.--AN UNWELCOME PASSENGER,              266
+
+ XXXVII.--A BRAVE STRUGGLE,                    275
+
+XXXVIII.--BEAR AND FORBEAR,                    283
+
+  XXXIX.--CONCLUSION,                          292
+
+
+THROUGH FOREST AND FIRE;
+
+OR,
+
+"God Helps Them that Help Themselves."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+NICK.
+
+
+Nicholas Ribsam was a comical fellow from his earliest babyhood, and had
+an original way of doing almost everything he undertook.
+
+When he became big enough to sit on the porch of the humble little home,
+where he was born, and stare with his great round eyes at the world as
+it went by, that world, whether on horseback, in carriage, or on foot,
+was sure to smile at the funny-looking baby.
+
+Nick, although born in western Pennsylvania, was as thoroughly Dutch as
+if he had first opened his eyes on the banks of the Zuyder Zee, in the
+lowlands of Holland. His parents had come from that part of the world
+which has produced so many fine scholars and done so much for science
+and literature. They talked the language of the Fatherland, although
+they occasionally ventured on very broken English for the instruction of
+the boy and girl which heaven had given them.
+
+When Nick was a year old, he seemed as broad as he was long, and his
+round, red cheeks, big, honest eyes, and scanty hair, which stood out in
+every direction, always brought a smile to whomsoever looked at him.
+
+"That's the Dutchest baby I ever saw!" exclaimed a young man, who, as he
+threw back his head and laughed, expressed the opinion of about every
+one that stopped to admire the youngster.
+
+When we add that Nick was remarkably good natured, his popularity will
+be understood. Days and weeks passed without so much as a whimper being
+heard from him. If his mother forgot she was the owner of such a prize,
+and allowed him to remain on the porch until he was chilled through or
+half famished, she was pretty sure to find him smiling, when she
+suddenly awakened to her duties respecting the little fellow.
+
+Several times he tipped over and rolled off the porch, bumping his head
+against the stones. A hoarse cry instantly made known the calamity but
+by the time he was snatched up (often head downward) his face was
+illumined again by his enormous grin, even though the big teardrops
+stood on his cheeks.
+
+When he grew so as to be able to stand with the help of something which
+he could grasp, a board about a foot and a half high was placed across
+the lower part of the open door to prevent him getting outside.
+
+The first day fat little Nick was confronted with this obstruction he
+fell over it, out upon the porch. How he managed to do such a wonderful
+thing puzzled father and mother, who half believed some person or animal
+must have "boosted" him over; but, as there was no other person in sight
+and they did not own a dog, the explanation was not satisfactory.
+
+True, they had a big Maltese cat, but he was hardly strong enough, even
+if he had the disposition, to hoist a plump baby over such a gate, out
+of pure mischief.
+
+But the most remarkable thing took place the next week, when Nick not
+only fell out of the door and over the obstruction, but a few minutes
+later fell in again. In fact, it looked as if from that time forward
+Nick Ribsam's position was inverted almost as often as it was upright.
+
+"There's one thing I want my little boy to learn," said the father, as
+he took him on his knee and talked in the language of his Fatherland
+"and that is, 'God helps them that help themselves.' Don't ever forget
+it!"
+
+"Yaw, I ish not forgots him," replied the youngster, staring in the
+broad face of his parent, and essaying to make use of the little English
+he had picked up.
+
+The good father and mother acted on this principle from the beginning.
+When Nick lost his balance he was left to help himself up again; when he
+went bumping all the way down the front steps, halting a moment on each
+one, his father complacently smoked his long pipe and waited to see how
+the boy was going to get back, while the mother did not think it worth
+while to leave her household duties to look at the misfortunes of the
+lad.
+
+"God helps them that help themselves."
+
+There is a great deal in this expression, and the father of Master
+Nicholas Ribsam seemed to take in the whole far-reaching truth. "You
+must do everything you possibly can," he said, many a time; "you must
+use your teeth, your hands, and your feet to hang on; you must never let
+go; you must hammer away; you must always keep your powder dry; you must
+fight to the last breath, and all the time ask God to help you pull
+through, and _He'll do it!_"
+
+This was the creed of Gustav Ribsam and his wife, and it was the creed
+which the children drew in with their breath, as may be said; it was
+such a grand faith that caused Nick to develop into a sturdy,
+self-reliant, brave lad, who expected to take his own part in the battle
+of life without asking odds from any one.
+
+The parents of our hero and heroine proved their faith by their works.
+By hard, honest toil and economy, they had laid up a competence which
+was regularly invested each year, and of which the children were not
+allowed to know anything, lest it might make them lazy and unambitious.
+
+The little house and fifty acres were paid for, and the property was
+more than sufficient to meet the wants of the family, even after the
+youngsters became large enough to go to school.
+
+The morning on which young Nick Ribsam started for the country school, a
+half mile away, was one which he can never forget. He was six years old,
+and had picked up enough of the English language to make himself
+understood, though his accent was of that nature that it was sure to
+excite ridicule on the part of the thoughtless.
+
+As Nick had a large head, he wore of necessity a large cap, with a long
+frontispiece and with a button on the top. His coat was what is called a
+"roundabout," scarcely reaching to his waist, but it abounded with
+pockets, as did the vest which it partly inclosed. His trousers were
+coarse, thick, and comfortable, and his large boots were never touched
+by blacking, Nick's father having no belief in such nonsense, but
+sticking to tallow all the time.
+
+Nick carried a spelling book and slate under his arm, and, as he started
+off, any one looking at him would have been struck by his bright eyes,
+ruddy cheeks, and generally clean appearance. As he was so very good
+natured, he was certain to become quite an acquisition to the school.
+
+There are no more cruel, or perhaps thoughtless people in the world than
+a number of school-boys, under certain conditions. The peculiar dress
+and the broken language of little Nick excited laughter at once, and
+this soon turned into ridicule.
+
+Nick was beset continually at recess and at noon by the boys, who
+immediately christened him "Dutchy." He laughed and did not seem to mind
+it, for his philosophy was that no words applied to him could injure
+him, and so long as the boys kept their hands off he did not care.
+
+Among the pupils was Herbert Watrous, a spruce young gentleman from the
+city, who dressed better than the others, and who threw out hints about
+the sparring lessons he had taken at home, and his wish that he might
+soon have a chance to show his playmates how easily he could vanquish an
+opponent, much larger than himself, by reason of his "science."
+
+He was fully four years older than Nick, and much taller--a fact which
+Herbert regretted as the Pennsylvania Hollander was too insignificant
+for him to pick a quarrel with.
+
+But that was no reason, as he looked at his privileges in this life, why
+he should not play the tyrant and bully over the honest little fellow
+and he proceeded at once to make life unbearable to Nicholas.
+
+He began the cry of "Dutchy," and, finding that it did not disturb the
+serenity of the lad, he resorted to more active measures on the way home
+from school.
+
+He began by knocking off his hat, and when Nick looked at him in a
+surprised way and asked why he did it, the city youth assumed a
+pugilistic attitude and answered, "Greens; what are you going to do
+about it, Dutchy?"
+
+"Be careful of him," whispered one of the boys, who felt some sympathy
+for Nick in his persecutions; "he's _science_."
+
+"I don't care vat he ain't," replied Nick, beginning to lose his temper;
+"if he don't lets me be, he'll got into trouble."
+
+Just then Nick started to overtake a lad, who tapped him on the back and
+invited him to play a game of tag. As he passed close to Herbert, that
+boy threw out his foot and Nick went sprawling headlong, his book and
+slate flying from under his arm, while his cap shot a dozen-feet in
+another direction.
+
+The other boys broke into laughter, while several of the girls cried out
+that it was a shame.
+
+Nick picked himself up, and putting on his cap, turned about to ask
+Herbert what he meant by such cruelty, when he was confronted by the
+bully, who had thrown himself into his fancy pugilistic posture, and
+with one eye shut and his tongue thrust out, said:
+
+"What are you going to do about it, Dutchy?"
+
+"I'll show you vot I do!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+SCHOOL DAYS.
+
+
+Nicholas Ribsam proceeded to show Master Herbert Watrous what he meant
+to do about it.
+
+Paying no heed to the formidable attitude of the city youth, Nick rushed
+straight upon him, and embracing him about the waist so as to pinion his
+arms, he threw him flat upon the ground with great emphasis. Then, while
+Herbert lay on his face, vainly struggling to rise, Nick sat down
+heavily on his back. Although he could have used his fists with great
+effect, Nick declined to do so; but, rising some six or eight inches, he
+sat down on him again, and then repeated the performance very fast,
+bounding up and down as a man is sometimes seen to do when a horse is
+trotting; descending each time on the back of Herbert with such vigor
+that the breath was almost forced from his body.
+
+"Let me up!" shouted the victim, in a jerky, spasmodic manner, as the
+words were helped out; "that ain't the right way to fight: that isn't
+fair."
+
+"It suits me better as nefer vas," replied the grinning Nick, banging
+himself down on the back of the struggling Herbert, until the latter
+began to cry and ask the boys to pull Nick off.
+
+No one interfered, however, and when the conqueror thought he had
+flattened out the city youth to that extent that he would never acquire
+any plumpness again, he rose from his seat and allowed Herbert to climb
+upon his feet.
+
+Never was a boy more completely cowed than was this vaunting youth, on
+whom all the others had looked with such admiration and awe. He meekly
+picked up his hat, brushed off the dirt, and looking reproachfully at
+Nick said:
+
+"Do you know you broke two of my ribs?"
+
+"I dinks I brokes dem _all_: dat's what I meant to do; I will try him
+agin."
+
+"No, you won't!" exclaimed Herbert, darting off in a run too rapid for
+the short legs of Nick to equal.
+
+Nick Ribsam had conquered a peace, and from that time forth he suffered
+no persecution at school. Master Herbert soon after went back to his
+city home, wondering how it was that a small, dumpy lad, four years
+younger than he, was able to vanquish him so completely when all the
+science was on the side of the elder youth.
+
+Young as was Nick Ribsam, there was not a boy in the school who dared
+attempt to play the bully over him. The display he had given of his
+prowess won the respect of all.
+
+Besides this he proved to be an unusually bright scholar. He dropped his
+faulty accent with astonishing rapidity, and gained knowledge with great
+facility. His teacher liked him, as did all the boys and girls, and when
+he was occasionally absent he was missed more than half a dozen other
+lads would have been.
+
+The next year Nick brought his sister Nellie to school. He came down the
+road, holding her fat little hand in his, while her bright eyes peered
+out from under her plain but odd-looking hat in a timid way, which
+showed at the same time how great her confidence was in her big brother.
+
+Nellie looked as much like Nick as a sister can look like a brother.
+There were the same ruddy cheeks, bright eyes, sturdy health, and
+cleanly appearance. Her gingham pantalettes came a little nearer the
+tops of her shoes, perhaps than was necessary, but the dress, with the
+waist directly under the arms, would have been considered in the height
+of fashion in late years.
+
+One daring lad ventured to laugh at Nellie, and ask her whether she had
+on her father's or mother's shoes, but when Nick heard of it he told the
+boy that he would "sit down" on any one that said anything wrong to
+Nellie. Nothing of the kind was ever hinted to the girl again. No one
+wished to be "sat down" on by the Pennsylvania Hollander who banged the
+breath so utterly from the body of the city youth who had aroused his
+wrath.
+
+The common sense, sturdy frame, sound health, and mental strength of the
+parents were inherited in as marked a degree by the daughter Nellie as
+by Nick. She showed a quickness of perception greater than that of her
+brother; but, as is generally the case, the boy was more profound and
+far-reaching in his thoughts.
+
+After Nick had done his chores in the evening and Nellie was through
+helping her mother, Gustav, the father, was accustomed to light his
+long-handled pipe, and, as he slowly puffed it while sitting in his
+chair by the hearth, he looked across to his boy, who sat with his slate
+and pencil in hand, preparing for the morrow. Carefully watching the
+studious lad for a few minutes, he generally asked a series of
+questions:
+
+"Nicholas, did you knowed your lessons to-day?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Did you know efery one dot you knowed?"
+
+"Yes, sir,--every one," answered Nick respectfully, with a quiet smile
+over his father's odd questions and sentences. The old gentleman could
+never correct or improve his accent, while Nick, at the age of ten,
+spoke so accurately that his looks were all that showed he was the child
+of German parents.
+
+"Did nopody gif you helps on der lessons?"
+
+"Nobody at all."
+
+"Dot is right; did you help anypodies?"
+
+"Yes, sir,--three or four of the girls and some of the boys asked me to
+give them a lift--"
+
+"Gif dem _vat_?"
+
+"A lift--that is, I helped them."
+
+"Dot ish all right, but don't let me hears dot nopody vos efer helping
+_you_; if I does--"
+
+And taking his pipe from his mouth, Mr. Ribsam shook his head in a way
+which threatened dreadful things.
+
+Then the old gentleman would continue smoking a while longer, and more
+than likely, just as Nick was in the midst of some intricate problem, he
+would suddenly pronounce his name. The boy would look up instantly, all
+attention.
+
+"Hef you been into any fights mit nopodies to-day?"
+
+"I have not, sir; I have not had any trouble like that for a long
+while."
+
+"Dot is right--dot is right; but, Nick, if you does get into such bad
+tings as fightin', don't ax nopodies to help you; _takes care mit
+yorself!_"
+
+The lad modestly answered that he did not remember when he had failed to
+take care of himself under such circumstances, and the father resumed
+his pipe and brown study.
+
+The honest German may not have been right in every point of his creed,
+but in the main he was correct, his purpose being to implant in his
+children a sturdy self-reliance. They could not hope to get along at all
+times without leaning upon others, but that boy who never forgets that
+God has given him a mind, a body, certain faculties and infinite powers,
+with the intention that he should cultivate and use them to the highest
+point, is the one who is sure to win in the great battle of life.
+
+Then, too, every person is liable to be overtaken by some great
+emergency which calls out all the capacities of his nature, and it is
+then that false teaching and training prove fatal, while he who has
+learned to develop the divine capacities within him comes off more than
+conqueror.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A MATHEMATICAL DISCUSSION.
+
+
+The elder Ribsam took several puffs from his pipe, his eyes fixed
+dreamily on the fire, as though in deep meditation. His wife sat in her
+chair on the other side, and was busy with her knitting, while perhaps
+her thoughts were wandering away to that loved Fatherland which she had
+left so many years before, never to see again. Nellie had grown sleepy
+and gone to bed.
+
+Mr. Ribsam turned his head and looked at Nick. The boy was seated close
+to the lamp on the table, and the scratching of his pencil on his slate
+and his glances at the slip of paper lying on the stand, with the
+problems written upon it, told plainly enough what occupied his
+thoughts.
+
+"Nicholas," said the father.
+
+"Just one minute, please," replied the lad, glancing hastily up: "I am
+on the last of the problems that Mr. Layton gave us for this week, and
+I have it almost finished."
+
+The protest of the boy was so respectful that the father resumed his
+smoking and waited until Nick laid his slate on the table and wheeled
+his chair around.
+
+"There, father, I am through."
+
+"Read owed loud dot sum von you shoost don't do."
+
+"Mr. Layton gave a dozen original problems as he called them, to our
+class to-day, and we have a week in which to solve them. I like that
+kind of work, and so I kept at it this evening until I finished them
+all."
+
+"You vos sure dot you ain't right, Nicholas, eh?"
+
+"I have proved every one of them. Oh, you asked me to read the last one!
+When Mr. Layton read that we all laughed because it was so simple, but
+when you come to study it it isn't so simple as you would think. It is
+this: If New York has fifty per cent. more population than Philadelphia,
+what per cent. has Philadelphia less than New York?"
+
+Mr. Ribsam's shoulders went up and down, and he shook like a bowl of
+jelly. He seemed to be overcome by the simplicity of the problem over
+which his son had been racking his brains.
+
+"Dot makes me laughs. Yaw, yaw, yaw!"
+
+"If you will sit down and figure on it you won't laugh quite so hard,"
+said Nick, amused by the jollity of his father, which brought a smile to
+his mother; "what is your answer?"
+
+"If I hafs feefty tollar more don you hafs, how mooch less tollar don't
+you hafs don I hafs? Yaw, yaw, yaw!"
+
+"_That_ is plain enough," said Nick sturdily "but if you mean to say
+that the answer to the problem I gave you is fifty per cent., you are
+wrong."
+
+"Oxplains how dot ain't," said Mr. Ribsam, suddenly becoming serious.
+
+The mother was also interested, and looked smilingly toward her bright
+son. Like every mother, her sympathies went out to him. When Nick told
+his father that he was in error, the mother felt a thrill of delight;
+she wanted Nick to get the better of her husband, much as she loved
+both, and you and I can't blame her.
+
+Nick leaned back in his chair, shoved his hands into his pockets, and
+looked smilingly at his father and his pipe as he said:
+
+"Suppose, to illustrate, that Philadelphia has just one hundred people.
+Then, if New York has fifty per cent. more, it must have one hundred and
+fifty people as its population; that is correct, is it not, father?"
+
+Mr. Ribsam took another puff or two, as if to make sure that his boy was
+not leading him into a trap, and then he solemnly nodded his head.
+
+"Dot ish so,--dot am,--yaw."
+
+"Then if Philadelphia has one hundred people for its population, New
+York has one hundred and fifty?"
+
+"Yaw, and Pheelatelphy has feefty per cent. less--yaw, yaw, yaw!"
+
+"Hold on, father,--not so fast. I'm teacher just now, and you mustn't
+run ahead of me. If you will notice in this problem the per cent. in the
+first part is based on Philadelphia's population, while in the second
+part it is based on the population of New York, and since the
+population of the two cities is different, the per cent. cannot be the
+same."
+
+"How dot is?" asked Mr. Ribsam, showing eager interest in the reasoning
+of the boy.
+
+"We have agreed, to begin with, that the population of Philadelphia is
+one hundred and of New York one hundred and fifty. Now, how many people
+will have to be subtracted from New York's population to make it the
+same as Philadelphia?"
+
+"Feefty,--vot I says."
+
+"And fifty is what part of one hundred and fifty,--that is, what part of
+the population of New York?"
+
+"It vos one thirds."
+
+"And one third of anything is thirty-three and one third per cent. of
+it, which is the correct answer to the problem."
+
+Mr. Ribsam held his pipe suspended in one hand while he stared with open
+mouth into the smiling face of his son, as though he did not quite grasp
+his reasoning.
+
+"Vot you don't laughs at?" he said, turning sharply toward his wife, who
+had resumed her knitting and was dropping many a stitch because of the
+mirth, which shook her as vigorously as it stirred her husband a few
+minutes before.
+
+"I laughs ven some folks dinks dey ain't shmarter don dey vosn't all te
+vile, don't it?"
+
+And stopping her knitting she threw back her head and laughed
+unrestrainedly. Her husband hastily shoved the stem of his pipe between
+his lips, sunk lower down in the chair, and smoked so hard that his head
+soon became almost invisible in the vapor.
+
+By-and-by he roused himself and asked Nick to begin with the first
+problem and reason out the result he obtained with each one in turn.
+
+Nick did so, and on the last but one his parent tripped him. A few
+pointed questions showed the boy that he was wrong. Then the hearty
+"Yaw, yaw, yaw!" of the father rang out, and looking at the solemn
+visage of his wife, he asked:
+
+"Vy you don't laughs now, eh? Yaw, yaw, yaw!"
+
+The wife meekly answered that she did not see anything to cause mirth,
+though Nick proved that he did.
+
+Not only that, but the son became satisfied from the quickness with
+which his father detected his error, and the keen reasoning he gave,
+that he purposely went wrong on the first problem read to him with the
+object of testing the youngster.
+
+Finally, he asked him whether such was not the case. Many persons in the
+place of Mr. Ribsam would have been tempted to fib, because almost every
+one will admit any charge sooner than that of ignorance; but the
+Dutchman considered lying one of the meanest vices of which a man can be
+guilty. Like all of his countrymen, he had received a good school
+education at home, besides which his mind possessed a natural
+mathematical bent. He said he caught the answer to the question the
+minute it was asked him, and, although Mr. Layton may not have seen it
+before, Mr. Ribsam had met and conquered similar ones when he was a boy.
+
+While he persistently refused to show Nick how to solve some of the
+intricate problems brought home, yet when the son, after hours of
+labor, was still all abroad, his father would ask him a question or two
+so skillfully framed that the bright boy was quick to detect their
+bearing on the subject over which he was puzzling his brain. The
+parent's query was like the lantern's flash which shows the ladder for
+which a man is groping.
+
+The task of the evening being finished, Mr. Ribsam tested his boy with a
+number of problems that were new to him. Most of them were in the nature
+of puzzles, with a "catch" hidden somewhere. Nick could not give the
+right answer in every instance, but he did so in a majority of cases; so
+often, indeed, that his father did a rare thing,--he complimented his
+skill and ability.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+LOST.
+
+
+It was two miles from the home of Mr. Ribsam to the little stone
+school-house where his children were receiving their education. A short
+distance from the dwelling a branch road turned off to the left, which,
+being followed nine miles or so, mostly through woods, brought one to
+the little country town of Dunbarton.
+
+Between the home of Gustav Ribsam and the school-house were only two
+dwellings. The first, on the left, belonged to Mr. Marston, whose land
+adjoined that of the Hollander, while the second was beyond the fork of
+the roads and was owned by Mr. Kilgore, who lived a long distance back
+from the highway.
+
+Nick Ribsam, as he grew in years and strength, became more valuable to
+his father, who found it necessary, now and then, to keep him home from
+school. This, however, did not happen frequently, for the parents were
+anxious that their children should receive a good school education, and
+Nick's readiness enabled him to recover, very quickly, the ground thus
+lost.
+
+There was not so much need of Nellie, and, when at the age of six she
+began her attendance, she rarely missed a day. If it was stormy she was
+bundled up warmly, and, occasionally, she was taken in the carriage when
+the weather was too severe for walking.
+
+The summer was gone when Nick helped harness the roan mare to the
+carriage, and, driving down to the forks, let Nellie out, and kept on
+toward Dunbarton, while the little girl continued ahead in the direction
+of the school-house.
+
+"I've got to stay there so long," said Nick, in bidding his sister
+good-by, "that I won't be here much before four o'clock, so I will look
+out for you and you can look out for me and I'll take you home."
+
+Nellie said she would not forget, and walked cheerfully up the road,
+singing a school song to herself.
+
+The little girl, when early enough, stopped at the house of Mr.
+Marston, whose girl Lizzie attended school. This morning, however, when
+Nick called from the road, he was told that Lizzie had been gone some
+time, so he drove on without her.
+
+The dwelling of Mr. Kilgore stood so far back that Nellie never could
+spare the time to walk up the long lane and back again, but she
+contented herself with peering up the tree-lined avenue in quest of
+Sallie and Bobby Kilgore.
+
+However, they were also invisible, and so it was that Nellie made the
+rest of the journey alone.
+
+The distance being so considerable, Nellie and Nick always carried their
+dinners with them, so that, after their departure in the morning, the
+parents did not expect to see them again until between four and five in
+the afternoon.
+
+The roan mare was young and spirited, but not vicious, and the boy had
+no trouble in controlling her.
+
+When half way through the stretch of woods they crossed a bridge, whose
+planks rattled so loudly under the wheels and hoofs that the animal
+showed a disposition to rear and plunge over the narrow railing at the
+side.
+
+But the boy used his whip so vigorously that he quickly tamed the beast,
+which was not slow to understand that her master was holding the reins.
+
+When Nick was on such journeys as these, he generally carried his
+father's watch, so as to "make his connections" better. The timepiece
+was of great size and thickness, having been made somewhere in England a
+good many years before. It ticked so loudly that it sounded like a
+cricket, and would have betrayed any person in an ordinary sized room,
+when there was no unusual noise. Nick's own handsome watch was too
+valuable for him to carry.
+
+The former was so heavy that it seemed to Nick, when walking with it,
+that he went in a one-sided fashion. However, the lad was quite proud of
+it, and perhaps took it out oftener than was necessary, especially when
+he saw the eyes of others upon him.
+
+Nick was kept in Dunbarton so long by the many errands he had to
+perform, that he was fully an hour late in starting. The mare was
+spirited enough to make up this time, if urged, but there was no need of
+doing so, and the boy knew his father would prefer him not to push the
+animal when no urgency existed.
+
+Thus it came about that when Nick re-entered the main highway that
+afternoon, and looked in the direction of the school-house, he saw
+nothing of Nellie, nor indeed of any one coming from the school.
+
+"She has gone home long ago," was his conclusion, as he allowed the mare
+to drop into a brisk trot, which speedily took him to his house.
+
+When Nick had put away the horse and rendered up his account of the
+errands done, he was surprised to learn that Nellie had not yet
+appeared.
+
+"I cannot understand what keeps her," said the father, in his native
+tongue; "she was never so late before."
+
+It was plain from the mother's face and manner that she also was
+anxious, for she frequently went to the gate, and, shading her eyes,
+looked long and anxiously down the road, hoping that the figure of the
+little girl would come to view, with some explanation of the cause for
+her delay.
+
+But the sun was low in the west, and its slanting rays brought to light
+the figure of no child hurrying homeward. The single object that was
+mistaken for the loved one proved to be a man on horseback, who turned
+off at the forks and vanished.
+
+"Nick, go look for your sister," said his mother, as she came back from
+one of these visits to the gate; "something has happened."
+
+The boy was glad of the order, for he was on the point of asking
+permission to hunt for Nellie.
+
+"I'll stay till I find out something," said Nick, as he donned his hat
+and took a general look over himself to see that he was in shape, "so
+don't worry about _me_."
+
+"But you ought not to be gone so long," said the father, whose anxious
+face showed that he was debating whether he should not join his boy in
+the search, "for it won't take long to find out where Nellie is."
+
+"I think she has been taken sick and has stopped with some of the
+neighbors," ventured the mother, "but it is strange they do not send me
+word."
+
+And it was the very fact that such word was not sent that prevented the
+husband and son from believing in the theory of the distressed mother.
+
+But Nick did not let the grass grow under his feet. His worriment was as
+great as that of his parents, and as soon as he was in the road he broke
+into a trot, which he kept up until beyond sight, both father and mother
+standing at the gate and watching him until he faded from view in the
+gathering twilight.
+
+The point where he disappeared was beyond the house of Mr. Marston, so
+it was safe to conclude he had learned nothing of his sister there,
+where he was seen to halt.
+
+There is nothing more wearisome than waiting in such suspense as came to
+the hearts of the father and mother, while they sat watching and
+listening for the sound of the childish footsteps and voices whose music
+would have been the sweetest on earth to them.
+
+The supper on the table remained untasted, and the only sounds heard
+were the solemn ticking of the old clock, the soft rustling of the
+kettle on the stove, and now and then a long drawn sigh from father or
+mother, as one strove to utter a comforting word to the other.
+
+All at once the gate was opened and shut hastily. Then a hurried step
+sounded along the short walk and upon the porch.
+
+"There they are! there they are!" exclaimed the mother, starting to her
+feet, as did the father.
+
+Almost on the same instant the door was thrown open, and, panting and
+excited, Nick Ribsam entered.
+
+But he was alone, and the expression of his face showed that he had
+brought bad news.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE PARTY OF SEARCH.
+
+
+When Nick Ribsam set out to find his missing sister Nellie, he made the
+search as thorough as possible.
+
+The first house at which he stopped was that of Mr. Marston, which, it
+will be remembered, was only a short distance away from his own home.
+There, to his disappointment, he learned that their little girl had not
+been at school that day, and consequently they could tell him nothing.
+
+Without waiting longer than to give a few words of explanation he
+resumed his trot, and soon after turned into the lane leading to the
+home of Mr. Kilgore. He found that both Bobby and Sallie had been to
+school, but they had nothing to tell. When we are more than usually
+anxious to learn something, it seems that every one whom we meet is
+stupid beyond endurance. If we are in a strange place and apply for
+information, the ignorance of nearly every person is exasperating.
+
+Bobby and Sallie remembered seeing Nellie in school during the forenoon
+and afternoon, but, while the boy insisted that she came along the road
+with them after dismissal, Sallie was just as positive that the missing
+girl was not with them.
+
+The party of school children which usually went over the highway was so
+small in number that it is hard to understand how such a mistake could
+be made, but the difference between Bobby and Sallie was irreconcilable.
+
+"I _know_ she didn't come home with us," said Sallie, stamping her foot
+to give emphasis to the words.
+
+"And I _know_ she did," declared Bobby, equally emphatically, "for me
+and her played tag."
+
+"Why don't you say she and I played tag?" asked Nick, impatient with
+both the children.
+
+"'Cause it was me and her," insisted Bobby.
+
+"What a dunce-head!" exclaimed his sister; "that was _last_ night when
+you played tag, and you tumbled over into the ditch and bellered like
+the big baby you are."
+
+"I remember that he did that last night," said Nick, hoping to help the
+two to settle the dispute.
+
+"I know I done that last night, but this afternoon I done it too. I fall
+into the ditch every night and beller; I do it on purpose to fool them
+that are chasing me."
+
+Nick found he could gain nothing; but he believed the sister was right
+and the brother wrong, as afterward proved to be the case.
+
+There were no more houses between his own home and the school building,
+and Nick resumed his dog trot, never halting until he came in front of a
+little whitewashed cottage just beyond the stone school-house.
+
+The latter stood at the cross roads, and the cottage to the left was
+where the teacher, Mr. Layton, an old bachelor, lived with his two
+maiden sisters.
+
+Mr. Layton, although strict to severity in the school-room, was a
+kind-hearted man and was fond of the Ribsam children, for they were
+bright, cheerful, and obedient, and never gave him any trouble, as did
+some of his other pupils. He listened to Nick's story, and his sympathy
+was aroused at once.
+
+"I am very sorry," said he, "that your good father and mother, not to
+mention yourself, should be so sorely troubled; but I hope this is not
+serious. Nellie came to me about three o'clock and asked whether I would
+let her go home."
+
+"Was she sick?" asked the distressed brother.
+
+"Not at all; but she said you had gone to Dunbarton in your carriage and
+she wanted to meet you coming back. She knew her lessons perfectly, and
+Nellie is such a good girl that I felt that I could not refuse so simple
+a request. So I told her she could go. I saw her start homeward with her
+lunch-basket in one hand and her two school-books in the other. She
+stepped off so briskly and was in such cheerful spirits that I stood at
+the window and watched her until she passed around the bend in the
+road."
+
+Nick felt his heart sink within him, for the words of the teacher had
+let in a great deal of alarming truth upon him.
+
+Nellie had reached the forks two hours ahead of him, and then, not
+wishing to sit down and wait, she had started up the road in the
+direction of Dunbarton to meet him. She must have entered the eight mile
+stretch of woods from the south about the same time Nick himself drove
+into it on his return from Dunbarton.
+
+The two should have met near Shark Creek, but neither had seen the
+other. Nick, as a matter of course, had kept to the road, but what had
+become of Nellie?
+
+This was the question the lad put to himself, and which caused him to
+feel so faint that he sank down in a chair unable to speak for a minute
+or two. Then, when he tried to do so, he had to stop, and was kept busy
+swallowing the lump that would rise in his throat, until finally the
+tears suddenly appeared, and, putting his hands to his eyes, he gave way
+to his grief.
+
+"There, there," said Mr. Layton soothingly, "don't cry, Nick, for it
+will do no good. Nellie has strayed off in the woods to gather flowers
+or perhaps wild grapes and has missed her way."
+
+"She--is--lost--poor--Nellie!" said the lad as best he could between his
+sobs; "we'll never see her again."
+
+"Oh, it isn't as bad as that! I suppose she has grown weary, and,
+sitting down to rest, has fallen asleep."
+
+If the good teacher meant this to soothe the lad, it had the contrary
+effect, for the picture of his little sister wandering alone in the
+woods was one of the most dreadful that could be imagined, and it took
+all the manhood of his nature to keep from breaking down again.
+
+While the interview was under way, Mr. Layton was busy changing his
+slippers for his boots, his wrapper for his coat, and his hat was donned
+just as he spoke the last words.
+
+His sympathy did not expend itself in talk, but the instant he saw what
+the trouble was he was eager to do all he could to help his suffering
+friends. He even reproached himself for having given Nellie permission
+to meet her brother, though no matter what harm may have befallen her,
+no one could blame her instructor therefor.
+
+"We must hunt for her," said Mr. Layton, when he was ready to go out; "I
+will tell my sisters they need not be alarmed over my absence, and I
+guess I will take the lantern with me."
+
+Nick passed out to the front gate, where he waited a minute for the
+teacher, until he should speak with his friends and get the lantern
+ready. When he came forth, the boy felt much like the patient who sees
+the surgeon take out his instruments and try their edge to make sure
+they are in condition before using upon him.
+
+The sight of the lantern in the hand of Mr. Layton gave such emphasis to
+the danger that it caused another quick throb of Nick's heart, but he
+forced it down as the two started back over the road, toward the
+school-house.
+
+"There is no need of lighting the lantern until we get to the woods,"
+said the teacher, "for we don't need it, and I hope we won't need it
+after we reach the forest. Poor Nellie! she will feel dreadfully
+frightened, when she wakes up in the dark forest."
+
+He regretted the words, for the two or three sobs that escaped the
+brother, before he could master himself, showed that his heart was
+swelled nigh to bursting.
+
+The night was mild and pleasant, although a little too chilly for any
+one to sleep out of doors. The moon was gibbous, and only a few white,
+feathery clouds now and then drifted across its face. Where there was no
+shadow, one could see for a hundred yards or so with considerable
+distinctness--that is, enough to recognize the figure of a man in
+motion.
+
+Opposite the lane leading to the house of Mr. Kilgore, the teacher
+stopped.
+
+"I will go in and get him to join us," said Mr. Layton; "and you had
+better hurry home for your father. On your way back, stop for Mr.
+Marston; that will give us a pretty large party. If when you reach the
+forks you do not find us there, don't wait, but hurry on toward
+Dunbarton; you will meet us before you reach the bridge over Shark
+Creek."
+
+Nick did as told, and, still on a rapid trot, reached home panting and
+excited, with the story which the reader has just learned.
+
+Mr. Ribsam threw down his pipe, donned his hat and coat, and started out
+the door. With his hand on the latch, he paused, and, looking back,
+commanded his voice so as to say:
+
+"Katrina, you and Nick needn't wait up for me."
+
+"Oh, father," pleaded the lad, moving toward him: "would you make me
+stay at home when Nellie is lost?"
+
+"No, no--I did not think," answered the parent, in a confused way; "I
+feel so bad I do not know what I do and say. Katrina, don't feel too
+bad; we will come back as soon as we can."
+
+Again the half distracted father placed his hand on the latch, and he
+had drawn the door partly open, when his wife, pale and trembling,
+called out in a voice of touching pathos:
+
+"Gustav, my heart would break should I try to stay here, when no one but
+God knows where my darling Nellie is; but, wherever she may be, no
+sorrow or pain or suffering can come to her that her mother will not
+share, and may our Heavenly Father let her mother take it all upon her
+own shoulders!"
+
+"Come on, Katrina; come on and bring the lantern with you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+GROPING IN DARKNESS.
+
+
+When the parents and brother of Nellie Ribsam reached the forks a few
+minutes later, they saw nothing of the three parties whom they expected
+to meet there.
+
+"They have gone on to the woods to look for Nellie," said the father.
+
+"They cannot be far off," suggested Nick, turning to the left.
+
+All were too anxious to lose a minute, and they started after their
+friends on a rapid walk, Nick taking the lead, and now and then dropping
+into a loping trot, which he would have increased had he been alone.
+
+A chill seemed to settle over all as they reached the deep shadow of the
+woods, which was one of the largest tracts of forest in that section of
+the country.
+
+The road which bisected them was fully eight miles in length, as has
+already been stated, while the forest was much greater in extent in the
+other direction.
+
+Being of such large area, there were necessarily many portions which
+rarely if ever were visited by hunters. Years before an occasional deer
+had been shot, and a few of the old settlers told of the thrilling bear
+hunts they had enjoyed when they were not so very much younger than now.
+
+Those who were capable of judging were certain that if the gloomy depths
+were explored these dreaded animals would be met; but if such were the
+fact, the beasts were so few in number that no one gave them a thought.
+
+It was now four miles to Shark Creek, and, by common consent, it was
+agreed that the missing Nellie must be found, if found at all, before
+reaching the stream.
+
+As this creek was deep enough to drown any person who could not swim,
+not to mention the large pond into which it emptied, every one of the
+searchers felt a vague, awful dread that poor Nellie had fallen into the
+water.
+
+No one spoke of it, but the thought was there all the same.
+
+Shortly after entering the wood, Nick called attention to two star-like
+points of light twinkling ahead of them.
+
+"They are the lanterns of Mr. Layton and Kilgore," said Nick, who
+immediately added, "we forgot to stop and get Mr. Marston."
+
+"That is too bad, but it isn't worth while to go back now," replied his
+father, hardly slackening his gait.
+
+As the lantern which Mrs. Ribsam had handed to her husband was lighted
+before leaving home, the men in advance detected it immediately after
+they were seen themselves, and the halloo of the teacher was answered by
+Nick.
+
+"Have you found anything of Nellie?" asked the mother, in broken
+English, as soon as the parties came together.
+
+"It could scarcely be expected," answered the instructor, in a kindly
+voice; "we have just got here, and have only looked along the road. I
+have little doubt that she is soundly sleeping somewhere not far off."
+
+While all stood still, the father lifted up his voice, and in clear,
+penetrating tones called the name of his missing child:
+
+"Nellie!"
+
+The ticking of the big watch in the pocket of Nick was plainly heard as
+the little company awaited the answering call of the child.
+
+But it came not, and three times more was the name of the missing girl
+repeated by the father, who broke down completely the last time.
+
+Nick now joined his thumb and finger against the end of his tongue, and
+emitted a blast like that of a steam whistle. It resounded among the
+trees, and then followed the same oppressive stillness as before.
+
+It was useless to remain where they were any longer, and, without a
+word, the five moved on. The three lamps were swung above their heads,
+and they peered into the gloomy depths on the right and left.
+
+Nick, as might have been expected, kept the advance, and his father
+allowed him to carry the lantern. As the other lights were behind the
+lad, the latter saw his huge shadow continually dancing in front and
+taking all manner of grotesque shapes, while, if the others had looked
+to the rear, they would have seen the same spectacle, as it affected
+their own figures.
+
+"Wait!" suddenly called out the father, who was now obliged to use his
+broken English, "mebbe my Nellie she does hears me."
+
+Thereupon he called to her as before, Nick ending the appeal with an
+ear-splitting whistle, which must have been heard several miles on such
+a still night.
+
+Not the slightest result followed, and with heavy hearts the little
+company moved on again.
+
+"I think," said Mr. Layton, "that she has turned aside, where, possibly,
+some faint path has caught her eye, and it may be that we may discover
+the spot."
+
+"Let's look here!"
+
+It was the mother who spoke this time, and, as they turned toward her,
+she was seen bending over the ground at the side of the highway, where
+something had arrested her attention.
+
+Instantly all the lanterns were clustered about the spot, and it was
+seen that the eyes of affection had detected just such a place as that
+named by the teacher. Persons who walked along the road were accustomed
+to turn aside into the woods, and the five now did the same, moving
+slowly, with the lanterns held close to the earth, and then swung aloft,
+while all eyes were peering into the portions penetrated by the yellow
+rays.
+
+The path was followed some fifty yards, when, to the disappointment of
+all, it came back to the road: it was one of those whimsical footways
+often met in the country, the person who started it having left the
+highway without any real reason for doing so.
+
+Again the name of the missing Nellie was repeated, and again the woods
+sent back nothing but the echo.
+
+"Hark!"
+
+It was the quick-eared Nick who spoke, just as the hum of conversation
+began, and all listened.
+
+As they did so the rattle of wheels was heard coming from the direction
+of Dunbarton. The peculiar noise enabled the friends to recognize it as
+made by a heavy, lumbering farmer's wagon. The team was proceeding on a
+walk.
+
+A few minutes later some one shouted:
+
+"Halloo, there! what's the matter?"
+
+The voice was recognized as that of Mr. Marston, whom they intended to
+ask to join them.
+
+Instantly a hope was aroused that he might be able to tell them
+something of Nellie. Mr. Layton called back, saying they were friends,
+and asking whether the farmer had seen anything of Nellie Ribsam.
+
+At this Mr. Marston whipped up his horses, which were showing some fear
+of the twinkling lanterns, and halted when opposite to the party of
+searchers.
+
+"My gracious! is she lost?" asked the good man, forgetting the anguish
+of his friends in his own curiosity.
+
+"Yes, she started up this road this afternoon toward Dunbarton to meet
+her brother, who was returning, but, somehow or other, missed him, and
+we are all anxious about her."
+
+"My gracious alive! I should think you would be: it would drive my wife
+and me crazy if our Lizzie should be lost in the woods."
+
+"I suppose, from the way you talk," continued the teacher, "that you
+have seen nothing of her?"
+
+"No, I wish I had, for I tell you these woods are a bad place for a
+little girl to get lost in. Last March, when we had an inch of snow on
+the ground, I seen tracks that I knowed was made by a bear, and a mighty
+big one, too, and--"
+
+But just then a half-smothered moan from the mother warned the
+thoughtless neighbor that he was giving anything but comfort to the
+afflicted parents.
+
+"I beg pardon," he hastened to say, in an awkward attempt to apologize;
+"come to think, I am sure that it wasn't a bear, but some big dog; you
+know a large dog makes tracks which can be mistook very easy for those
+of a bear. I'll hurry on home and put up my team and git the lantern and
+come back and help you."
+
+And Mr. Marston, who meant well, whipped up his horses, and his wagon
+rattled down the road as he hastened homeward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+AN ALARMING DISCOVERY.
+
+
+By this time the searching party began to realize the difficulties in
+the path of their success.
+
+If, as was believed, or rather hoped, Nellie had fallen asleep in the
+woods, they were liable to pass within a dozen feet of where she lay
+without discovering the fact. Should they call to her, or should Nick
+emit his resounding signal whistle, she might be awakened, provided only
+such a brief space separated them, but the chances were scarcely one in
+a thousand that they would be so fortunate.
+
+This view, at the worst, was a favorable one, and behind it rose the
+phantoms that caused all to shudder with a dread which they dared not
+utter.
+
+Only a short distance farther they came upon another path which diverged
+from the side of the road, returning a little ways beyond. There, an
+unusually careful search was made, and Nick almost split his cheeks in
+his efforts to send his penetrating whistle throughout the surrounding
+country. The three men also called out the name of Nellie in their
+loudest tones, but nothing except the hollow echoes came back to them.
+
+Nick examined the face of his father's watch by the light of the lantern
+he carried, and saw that it lacked but a few minutes of nine. They had
+been searching for the lost child, as this proved, for nearly two hours.
+
+"It seems to me," said Mr. Layton, as the party came to a halt, "that we
+are not likely to accomplish anything by hunting in this aimless
+fashion."
+
+"What better can we do?" asked Mr. Kilgore.
+
+"Thus far we have been forced to confine ourselves to the road,
+excepting when we diverge a few feet: this renders our work about the
+same as if done by a single person. What I propose, therefore, is that
+we separate."
+
+"How will that help us?"
+
+"It may not, but we shall cover three or four times the amount of space
+(I judge Mrs. Ribsam would prefer to remain with her husband and son on
+account of the single lantern), and it follows that some one of us must
+pass closer to the spot where Nellie is lying."
+
+This seemed a sensible suggestion, and the two men turned to the
+afflicted father to learn what he thought of it.
+
+He shook his head.
+
+"Not yet,--not yet; we goes a leetle furder."
+
+Nothing was added by way of explanation, and yet even little Nick knew
+why he had protested: he wished that all might keep together until they
+reached the creek. If nothing was learned of his child there, then he
+would follow the plan of the teacher.
+
+But something seemed to whisper to the parent that the place where they
+would gain tidings of little Nellie was near that dark, flowing water,
+which, like such streams, seemed to be always reaching out for some one
+to strangle in its depths.
+
+"Perhaps Mr. Ribsam is right," said the teacher, after a silence which
+was oppressive even though brief; "we will keep each other's company,
+for it is lonely work tramping through the woods, where there is no
+beaten path to follow."
+
+Thereupon the strange procession resumed its march toward the distant
+town of Dunbarton, pausing at short intervals to call and signal to the
+missing one.
+
+It was a vast relief to all that the weather continued so mild and
+pleasant. In the earlier part of the day there were some signs of an
+approaching storm, but the signs had vanished and the night was one of
+the most pleasant seen in September.
+
+Had the rain begun to fall, or had the temperature lowered, the mother
+would have been distracted, for nothing could have lessened the pangs
+caused by her knowledge that her darling one was suffering. The true
+mother lives for her children, and their joys and sorrows are hers.
+
+Whenever the wind rustled among the branches around them she shuddered
+and instinctively drew her own shawl closer about her shoulder; she
+would have given a year's toil could she have wrapped the thick woolen
+garment about the tiny form of her loved one, who never seemed so dear
+to her as then.
+
+"Gustav," she whispered, twitching his elbow, "I want to speak one word
+to you."
+
+"Speak out; they cannot understand us," he answered, alluding to the
+fact that they were using their own language.
+
+"Yes, but I don't want Nick to know what I say."
+
+The husband thereupon fell back beside her, and in a tremulous voice she
+said:
+
+"Do you remember when Nellie was three years old?"
+
+"Of course I remember further back than that: why do you ask?"
+
+"When she had the fever and was getting well?"
+
+"Yes, I cannot forget it; poor girl, her cheeks were so hot I could
+almost light a match by them; but, thank God, she got over it."
+
+"You remember, Gustav, how cross she was and how hard it was to please
+her?"
+
+"But that was because she was sick; when she was well, then she laughed
+all the time, just like Nick when he don't feel bad."
+
+"But--but," and there was an unmistakable tremor in the voice, "one day
+when she was cross she asked for a drink of water; Nick was sitting in
+the room and jumped up and brought it to her, but she was so out of
+humor she shook her head and would not take it from him; she was
+determined I should hand it to her. I thought she was unreasonable and I
+told Nick to set it on the bureau, and I let Nellie know she shouldn't
+have it unless she took it from him; I meant that I wouldn't hand it to
+her and thereby humor her impatience. She cried, but she was too
+stubborn to give in, and I refused to hand her the water. Nick felt so
+bad he left the room, and I was sorry; but Nellie was getting well, and
+I was resolved to be firm with her. She was very thirsty, for her fever
+was a terrible one. I was tired and dropped into a doze. By-and-by I
+heard Nellie's bare feet pattering on the floor, and softly opening my
+eyes, without stirring I saw her walk hastily to the bureau, catch hold
+of the tumbler and she drank every drop of water in it. She was so weak
+and dizzy that she staggered back and threw herself on the bed like one
+almost dead. The next day she was worse, and we thought we were going to
+lose her. You saw how hard I cried, but most of my tears were caused by
+the remembrance of my cruelty to her the night before."
+
+"But, Katrina, you did right," said the father, who heard the affecting
+incident for the first time. "It won't do to humor children so much: it
+will spoil them."
+
+"That may be, but I cannot help thinking of that all the time; it would
+have done no harm to humor Nellie that time, for she was a good girl."
+
+"You speak truth, but--"
+
+The poor father, who tried so bravely to keep up, broke down and was
+unable to speak. The story touched him as much as it did the mother.
+
+"Never mind, Katrina--"
+
+At that moment Nick called out:
+
+"Here's the bridge!"
+
+The structure loomed through the gloom as it was dimly lighted by the
+lanterns, and all walked rapidly forward until they stood upon the rough
+planking.
+
+Suddenly the mother uttered a cry, and stooping down snatched up
+something from the ground close to the planks.
+
+The startled friends looked affrightedly toward her, and saw that she
+held the lunch basket of her little daughter in her hand.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+STARTLING FOOTPRINTS.
+
+
+On the very edge of the bridge over Shark Creek, the mother of Nellie
+Ribsam picked up the lunch basket which her daughter had taken to school
+that morning. It lay on its side, with the snowy napkin partly out, and
+within it was a piece of brown bread which the parent had spread with
+golden butter, and which was partly eaten.
+
+No wonder the afflicted woman uttered a half-suppressed scream when she
+picked up what seemed a memento of her dead child.
+
+While the lanterns were held in a circle around the basket, which the
+father took from his wife, Mr. Ribsam lifted the piece of bread in his
+hand. There were the prints made by the strong white teeth of little
+Nellie, and there was not a dry eye when all gazed upon the food, which
+the father softly returned to the basket and reverently covered with the
+napkin.
+
+No one ventured to speak, but the thoughts of all were the same.
+
+Stepping to the railing at the side of the bridge Mr. Layton held his
+lantern over, Nick and Mr. Kilgore immediately doing the same. The rays
+extended right and left and far enough downward to reach the stream,
+which could be seen, dark and quiet, flowing beneath and away through
+the woods to the big pond, a quarter of a mile below.
+
+In the oppressive stillness the soft rustling of the water was heard as
+it eddied about a small root which grew out from the shore, and a tiny
+fish, which may have been attracted by the yellow rays, leaped a few
+inches above the surface and fell back with a splash which startled
+those who were peering over the railing of the structure.
+
+The trees grew close to the water's edge, and as the trunks were dimly
+revealed they looked as if they were keeping watch over the deep creek
+that flowed between.
+
+The five were now searching for that which they did not wish to find;
+they dreaded, with an unspeakable dread, the sight of the white face
+turned upward, with the abundant hair floating about the dimpled
+shoulders.
+
+Thank heaven, that sight was spared them; nothing of the kind was seen,
+and a sigh escaped from each.
+
+"We are all tortured by the thought that Nellie has fallen into the
+creek and been drowned," said the teacher; "but I cannot see any grounds
+for such fear."
+
+The yearning looks of the parents and brother caused the teacher to
+explain more fully.
+
+"No child, unless a very stupid one, would stumble from this bridge, and
+there could have been no circumstances which in my judgment would have
+brought such a mishap to Nellie."
+
+This sounded reasonable enough, but:
+
+"De basket,--vot of dot?" asked the father.
+
+"She has dropped that from some cause; but that of itself is a favorable
+sign, for had she fallen accidentally into the water she would have
+taken it with her."
+
+This sounded as if true, but it did not remove the fears of any one.
+Even he who uttered the words could not bring himself fully to believe
+in their truth, for none knew better than he that the evil one himself
+seems to conspire with guns and pistols that appear to be unloaded, and
+with water which is thought to be harmless.
+
+All wanted to place faith in the declaration, and no protest was
+uttered. As nothing was to be seen or learned where they stood, they
+crossed the bridge and descended the wooded slope until they reached the
+edge of the stream, which wound its way through the woods to the big
+pond.
+
+Every heart was throbbing painfully and no one spoke: there was no need
+of it, for no comfort could be gained therefrom.
+
+Mr. Layton and Kilgore moved carefully up the creek, while Nick and his
+parents walked toward the pond, which lay to the left.
+
+The two wished to be apart from the others that they might consult
+without danger of being overheard by those whose hearts were suffering
+so much anguish.
+
+"It's very strange," said Mr. Kilgore, "that the basket should be found
+on the bridge: what do you make of it, Mr. Layton?"
+
+The teacher shook his head.
+
+"It is strange, indeed; had there been no water in the creek you could
+have set it down as certain that the child had not fallen from it, but,
+as she could not have done so without drowning, I am inclined to
+think--"
+
+The instructor hesitated, as if afraid to pronounce the dreadful words.
+
+"You think she is drowned?" said his friend, supplying the answer with
+his own question.
+
+Mr. Layton nodded his head by way of reply, and, holding the lanterns in
+front, they began groping their way along the margin of the creek.
+
+By raising the lights above their heads the rays reached the opposite
+bank, lighting up the water between. This was unusually clear, and they
+could see the bottom some distance from shore.
+
+Both felt that if the body was floating anywhere they could not fail to
+see it, though the probabilities were that it was already far below
+them, and would be first discovered by the parents and brother.
+
+"Halloa!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. Layton, lowering his lantern close to
+the ground, "I don't like _that_."
+
+By way of explanation, he pointed to the damp soil where no vegetation
+grew: it was directly in front and close to the water, being that
+portion which was frequently swept by the creek when above its present
+level.
+
+Parallel to the stream, for a distance of several rods or so, were a
+number of imprints in the yielding earth, which the first glance showed
+were made by some large animal.
+
+"It must have been a dog," ventured the teacher, who had little
+practical knowledge of the animals of the wood.
+
+Mr. Kilgore shook his head.
+
+"It was a bear; there can be no mistake about it. Mr. Marston was right;
+it was the track of a similar animal which he saw last March."
+
+"You are not mistaken, Mr. Kilgore?"
+
+The farmer answered impatiently:
+
+"I have hunted bears too often to be mistaken; I can tell their trail
+among a hundred others, and the one which went along here a little while
+ago was one of the largest of his kind."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE LITTLE WANDERER.
+
+
+Although Nellie Ribsam was only eight years old at the time she was lost
+in the big woods, yet the results of the training received from her
+sensible father and mother showed themselves in a marked degree on that
+memorable occasion.
+
+She had been taught, as was her brother, that under heaven she must rely
+upon herself to get forward in the world. Nick was rarely if ever
+allowed to extend her a helping hand in her lessons, and she was given
+to understand that whatever was possible for her to do must be done
+without the aid of any one.
+
+As for sitting down and crying when in trouble, without making any
+effort to help herself, she knew better than to try that when either her
+father or mother were likely to find it out.
+
+Her intention, when she left school that afternoon before the session
+closed, was to keep on in the direction of Dunbarton until she met Nick
+returning.
+
+She turned off at the forks, and did not lessen her gait until she
+reached the woods. Her rapid walking caused her to feel quite warm, and
+the cool shade of the woods was refreshing.
+
+She began wandering aimlessly forward, swinging her hat in her hand,
+singing snatches of school songs, and feeling just as happy as a little
+girl can feel who is in bounding health, high spirits, and without an
+accusing conscience.
+
+It was not the time of year for flowers, and Nellie knew better than to
+look for any. They had drooped and died long ago; but some of the leaves
+were turning on the trees, and they gave a peculiar beauty to the
+autumnal forest.
+
+At intervals she caught sight of the cleanly, symmetrical maple, with
+some of its leaves turning a fiery red and looking like flecks of flame
+through the intervening vegetation. At the least rustling of the wind
+some of the leaves came fluttering downward as lightly as flakes of
+snow; the little brown squirrel scampered up the shaggy trunks and out
+upon the limbs, where, perching on his hind legs, he peeped
+mischievously down at the girl, as if inviting her to play hide-and-seek
+with him; now and then a rabbit, fat and awkward from his gluttony on
+the richness around him, jumped softly a few steps, then munched rapidly
+with his jaws, flapped his long silken ears, looked slyly around with
+his big, pretty eyes, and, as the girl made a rush toward him, he was
+off like a shot.
+
+The woods were fragrant with ripening grapes and decaying vegetation,
+and were putting on a garb whose flaming splendor surpassed the hues of
+spring.
+
+Indeed, everything conspired to win a boy or girl away from study or
+work, and to cause the wish on the part of both that they might be a
+bird or squirrel, with no thought of the responsibilities of life.
+
+Nellie Ribsam forgot for the time everything else except her own
+enjoyment; but by-and-by the woods took on such tempting looks that she
+turned off from the highway she had been following, with the intention
+of taking a stroll, which she meant should not lead her out of sight of
+the road.
+
+The first view which stopped her was that of a large vine of wild
+grapes.
+
+Some of them were green, some turning, while others were a dark purple,
+showing they were fully ripe: the last, as a matter of course, were at
+the top.
+
+These wild grapes were small and tart, inferior to those which grew in
+the yard of Nellie at home; but they seemed to be trying to hide in the
+woods, and they were hard to get, therefore they were more to be desired
+than the choicest Catawba, Isabella, or Concord.
+
+The main vine, where it started from the ground, was as thick as a man's
+wrist, and it twisted and wound about an oak sapling as if it were a
+great African constrictor seeking to strangle the young tree. Other
+vines branched out from the sides until not only was the particular
+sapling enfolded and smothered, but the greedy vine reached out and
+grasped others growing near it.
+
+Nellie felt like the fox who found the grapes more tempting the longer
+he looked at them.
+
+"I'm going to have some of them," she said, and straightway proceeded to
+help herself.
+
+She climbed as readily as Nick himself could have done, and never
+stopped until she was so high that the sapling bent far over with her
+weight. Then she reached out her chubby hand and plucked a cluster of
+the wild fruit. They were about the size of buckshot, and when her sound
+teeth shut down on them, the juice was so sour that she shut both eyes
+and felt a twinge at the crown of her head as though she had taken a
+sniff of the spirits of ammonia.
+
+But the grapes were none the less delicious for all that; the fact that
+there seemed to be something forbidden about them added a flavor that
+nothing else could give.
+
+Nellie had managed to crush a handful of the vinegar-like globules, when
+she caught sight of another vine deeper in the woods. It was much larger
+and climbed fully a dozen yards from the ground, winding in and out
+among the limbs of a ridgy beech, which seemed to be forever struggling
+upward to get away from the smothering embrace of the vegetable python.
+
+Five minutes later, Nellie was clambering upward like a monkey, never
+pausing until the bending tree-top warned her that if she went any
+higher it would yield to her weight.
+
+Nellie disposed of one bunch and that was enough: she concluded that she
+was not very hungry for grapes and, without eating or even gathering
+more, she devoted herself to another kind of enjoyment.
+
+Standing with one foot on a limb and the other on one near it, she
+grasped a branch above her and began swaying back and forth, with the
+vim and abandon of a child in a patent swing.
+
+The tree bent far over as she swung outward, then straightened up and
+inclined the other way as her weight passed over to that side. Any one
+looking at the picture would have said that a general smash and giving
+away were certain, in which case the girl was sure to go spinning
+through the limbs and branches, as though driven forth by the springs
+within the big gun which fling the young lady outward just as the
+showman touches off some powder.
+
+But a green sapling is very elastic, and, although the one climbed by
+Nellie bent back and forth like a bow, it did not give way. Her hair
+streamed from her head, and there was a thrilling feeling as the wind
+whistled by her ears, and she seemed to be shooting like a bird through
+space.
+
+All this was well enough, and it was no more than natural that Nellie
+should have forgotten several important facts: she was so far from the
+highway that she could not see any one passing over it; the rush of the
+wind in her ears shut out sounds that otherwise would have been noticed,
+and she had gone so far and had lingered so long by the way that it was
+time to look for Nick on his return from Dunbarton, even though he was
+later than he expected to be.
+
+It was while she was swinging in this wild fashion that her brother
+drove by on his way home, without either suspecting how close they were
+to each other.
+
+Nellie displayed a natural, childish thoughtlessness by keeping up this
+sport for a half hour longer, when she came down to the ground, simply
+because she was tired of the amusement.
+
+Although out of sight of the road she managed to find her way back to it
+without trouble. With her lunch basket in hand, she continued in the
+direction of Dunbarton, taking several mouthfuls of the bread which had
+been left over at noon.
+
+In this aimless manner she strolled forward, stopping now and then to
+look at the squirrel or rabbit or the yellow-hued warbler, the noisy and
+swift-flying finch, the russet-coated thrush, or dark brown and mottled
+woodpecker, as his head rattled against the bark of the tree trunks,
+into which he bored in quest of worms.
+
+The first real surprise of the girl came when she reached the bridge.
+This proved that she was more than four miles from home, a distance much
+greater than she had suspected.
+
+"Where can Nick be?" she asked herself, never once thinking that they
+might have missed each other when she was swinging in the tree-top. It
+struck her that the day was nearly gone, for she noticed the gathering
+twilight diffusing itself through the forest.
+
+"I don't think I will go any farther," she said; "Nick will be along
+pretty soon, and I'll wait here for him."
+
+Standing on the bridge and looking down the road and listening for the
+sound of the carriage wheels were tiresome to one of Nellie's active
+habits, and it was not long before she broke off some of the bread, set
+down her lunch basket, and then dropped some crumbs into the water.
+
+As they struck the surface, sending out little rings toward the shore,
+several tiny fish came up after the food. Nellie laughed outright, and,
+in her eagerness, was careless of how she threw the crumbs, most of
+which fell upon the bank.
+
+It occurred to her that she could do better by going down to the edge of
+the stream, where she would not mistake her aim.
+
+Childlike, she did not pause to think of the wrong of so doing, for she
+ought to have known that her parents never would have consented to such
+an act.
+
+Just there, Nellie, like many another little girl, made a great mistake.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+IN GREAT DANGER.
+
+
+A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of
+the moment. Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and
+threw some crumbs out upon the surface. In the clear water she could see
+the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at
+the morsels.
+
+She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the
+bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in
+her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch
+basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
+
+"It's a bother to carry the basket with me," she said to herself; "I had
+to leave it on the ground when I was after grapes, so I'll wait till
+Nick comes, and then I'll call to him. Won't he be scared when he sees
+me down here!"
+
+From where she stood, she observed the bridge above her head, and
+consequently Nick could look directly down upon her whenever he should
+reach the structure.
+
+Nellie felt that she would like to go on down the creek to the big pond
+into which it emptied; but she knew better than to do that, for she
+would be certain to miss her big brother, and it was already beginning
+to grow dark around her.
+
+"I wonder what makes Nick so long," she said to herself, as she sat down
+on a fallen tree; "I'm so tired that I never can walk the four miles
+home."
+
+She had sat thus only a brief while, when her head began to droop; her
+bright eyes grew dull, then closed, and leaning against a limb which put
+out from the fallen tree, on which she was sitting, she sank into the
+sweet, dreamless sleep of childhood and health.
+
+Had she not been disturbed she would not have wakened until the sun
+rose, but at the end of an hour, an involuntary movement of the head
+caused it to slip off the limb against which it was resting with such a
+shock that instantly she was as wide awake as though it was mid-day.
+
+Ah, but when she sprang to her feet and stared about her in the gloom
+she was dreadfully alarmed!
+
+She was quick-witted enough to understand where she was and how it had
+all come about. The gibbous moon was directly overhead, and shone down
+upon her with unobstructed fullness.
+
+"Nick has gone over the bridge while I was asleep," was her instant
+conclusion; "and father and mother will be worried about me."
+
+Her decision as to what she should do could not but be the one
+thing--that was to climb back up the bank to the bridge, cross it, and
+hurry homeward.
+
+There was a little throbbing of the heart, when she reflected that she
+had several miles to travel, most of which was through the gloomy woods;
+but there was no hesitation on the part of Nellie, who, but for the
+sturdy teaching of her parents, would have crouched down beside the log
+and sobbed in terror until she sank into slumber through sheer
+exhaustion.
+
+"I have been a bad girl," she said to herself, as she reflected on her
+thoughtlessness; "and mother will whip me, for I know she ought to; and
+mother always does what she ought to do."
+
+There was no room for doubt in the mind of the child, for she understood
+the nature of her parents as well as any child could understand that of
+its guardian.
+
+Nellie was some distance below the point where the bridge spanned the
+creek, but she could see the dim outlines of the structure as she
+started toward it. It seemed higher than usual, but that was because the
+circumstances were different from any in which she had ever been placed.
+
+The little one was making her way as best she could along the stream in
+the direction of the bridge, when she was frightened almost out of her
+senses by hearing a loud, sniffing growl from some point just ahead of
+her.
+
+It was a sound that would have startled the bravest man, and Nellie was
+transfixed for the moment. She did not turn and run, nor did she sink in
+a swoon to the ground, but she stood just where she had stopped, until
+she could find out what it meant.
+
+She was not kept long in waiting, for in less than a minute the noise
+was repeated, and at the same moment she caught the outlines of a huge
+black bear swinging along toward her. He was coming down the bed of the
+creek, with his awkward, ponderous tread, and when seen by Nellie was
+within fifty feet of her.
+
+When it is remembered that he was of unusual size and proceeding
+straight toward the child, it seems impossible that she should have done
+anything at all to help herself. The sight was enough to deprive her of
+the power of motion and speech.
+
+But it was in such a crisis as this that little Nellie Ribsam showed
+that she had not forgotten the teaching of her parents: "God helps them
+that help themselves."
+
+With scarcely a second's pause, she whirled on her heel and dashed down
+the stream with the utmost speed at her command.
+
+The bear could not have failed to see her, though it is not to be
+supposed that he was looking for the little girl when he first came
+that way. Furthermore, had the chase lasted several minutes Nellie must
+have fallen a victim to the savage animal.
+
+It required no instruction to teach her that there was but one way in
+which she could escape, and that was by climbing a tree. Had there been
+a large one near at hand she would have ascended that as quickly as
+possible; but, fortunately, the first one to which she fled was a
+sapling, no larger than those she had climbed during the afternoon, and
+no one could have clambered to the highest point attainable quicker than
+did the frightened little girl.
+
+Had she been a veteran hunter, Nellie could not have made a better
+selection, for she was fully twenty feet from the ground, and as much
+beyond the reach of the bear as though she were in her trundle-bed at
+home.
+
+But the position was a frightful one to her, and for several minutes she
+believed the animal would tear the tree down and destroy her.
+
+"I have done all I can for myself," she murmured, recalling the
+instruction of her parents, "and now God will do the rest."
+
+Beautiful, trusting faith of childhood! Of such, indeed, is the kingdom
+of heaven.
+
+The huge bear, which from some cause or other had ventured from the
+recesses of the wood, was but a short distance behind the little
+wanderer when she climbed so hastily beyond his reach. He acted as
+though he was somewhat bewildered by the unusual scene of a small child
+fleeing from him, but nothing is so tempting to pursuit as the sight of
+some one running from us, and the brute galloped after Nellie with an
+evident determination to capture her, if the thing could be done.
+
+When he found the child had eluded him for the time, he sat down on his
+haunches and looked upward, as though he intended to wait till she would
+be compelled to descend and surrender herself.
+
+The small tree in which Nellie had taken refuge was several yards from
+the edge of the stream, the bank sloping so steeply that the water never
+reached the base, excepting during a freshet.
+
+It was a chestnut, whose smooth bark rendered it all the more difficult
+to climb, but Nellie went up it as rapidly as a man ascends telegraph
+poles with the spikes strapped to his boots.
+
+The bear clawed the bark a little while, as a cat is sometimes seen to
+do when "stretching" herself, and it was during these few minutes that
+the girl thought nothing could save her from falling into his clutches.
+
+When he ceased, she peered downward through the branches, and could just
+see the massy animal near the base of the tree, as if asking himself
+what was the next best thing to do.
+
+It will be admitted that the situation of Nellie Ribsam was one in which
+few children of her tender years are ever placed. Happy it is, indeed,
+that it is so, for what one in a thousand would have retained her
+self-possession?
+
+In explanation, it may be doubted indeed whether Nellie fully
+comprehended her peril. Had she been older, her consternation,
+doubtless, would have been greater, as the emotion she showed some years
+later, when placed in great danger, would seem to prove.
+
+But there was one fact of which she was firmly convinced: she had
+complied with her father's instructions, for, as has been shown, she put
+forth every possible exertion to save herself, and now she called on
+Heaven to assist her.
+
+Perched in the top of the tree, with the enormous bear sitting beneath
+and looking hungrily upward, she prayed:
+
+"Heavenly Father, please take care of me and don't let that big bear
+catch me; don't let papa and mamma feel too bad, and please make the bad
+bear go away and let me alone."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+"GOTT SEI DANK!"
+
+
+The prayer of little Nellie Ribsam--so far as it related to herself--was
+answered.
+
+She secured her seat, as best she could, in the branches of the chestnut
+sapling, and, by arranging her dress and the yielding limbs with
+considerable skill, she made herself quite comfortable.
+
+The trying situation in which she was placed, it would be thought, was
+enough to drive away all disposition to sleep, but at the end of less
+than half an hour the little head was nodding again, and, forgetful of
+her peril, her senses soon left her.
+
+It will be understood that the danger of the young wanderer was rendered
+all the greater by this loss of consciousness, for her muscles would
+relax in slumber, and, unless her position was unusually secure, she was
+certain to fall.
+
+But that gracious Father in whom she so implicitly trusted watched over
+the little one, and she remained as though seated in the broad
+rocking-chair at home.
+
+When at last she moved slightly and was on the point of losing her
+balance, she awoke so quickly that she saved herself just in the nick of
+time.
+
+She was shocked and startled, but regaining her breath she held fast
+with one hand while she parted the branches with the other and carefully
+peered down among the limbs.
+
+"He is gone!" was her joyous exclamation; "I knew the Lord would make
+him go away, because I asked him to."
+
+She was right: the bear had vanished, and all danger from that source
+for the time had passed.
+
+The brute probably found enough to eat without waiting for little girls
+to fall into his clutches. As he had never been known to trouble any one
+in the neighborhood, it was reasonable to believe that he got all he
+wanted without venturing away from the depths of the woods, and rousing
+an ill-will against himself that would speedily result in his
+destruction.
+
+Nellie did not feel surprised at all, for, as I have shown, she had the
+faith to believe that her prayer would be answered.
+
+"Now I will go down to the ground and start for home. I guess the bear
+isn't far off, but the Lord will not let him hurt me."
+
+She carefully descended the tree and stood on the ground a minute later.
+She found that her dress was torn and she had lost part of the ribbon
+from her hat. This troubled her more than anything else, for her frugal
+mother had told her many a time that she must take the best care of her
+clothing.
+
+"I was so scared that I forgot to look out," she said to herself, after
+taking an inventory of the damages; "but I guess mother will excuse me
+for losing the ribbon, though I know she won't for coming so far into
+the woods without permission."
+
+She now set out resolutely for the bridge, determined to lose no more
+time in reaching home. As is the rule, the brief space she had passed in
+sleep seemed three times as long as was actually the case, and she
+thought it must be near morning.
+
+She had gone but a short distance when she stopped with another shock of
+affright.
+
+"My gracious! what can that be?"
+
+A point of light appeared between her and the bridge, flickering about
+like an _ignis-fatuus_ or jack-o'-lantern. Nellie felt like taking to
+the tree again, but she bravely stood her ground until she could satisfy
+her curiosity as to its nature.
+
+Watching it closely she observed shadowy figures flitting around the
+light in a curious and grotesque way. She was in greater doubt than
+ever, when she heard voices.
+
+"I think I saw her tracks, but I couldn't be sure; Nellie knows too much
+to walk or fall into the deep water."
+
+"I hope so, but my heart misgives me sorely. God be merciful, for if she
+is lost I can never recover!"
+
+The first speaker was Nick Ribsam, and the second was the father, the
+mother immediately adding:
+
+"Why the poor child came here is more than I can understand, but He
+doeth all things well."
+
+_"Oh, mother! Oh, father! Oh, Nick! It is I, Nellie! I am so glad to see
+you!"_
+
+And the little wanderer flew like the wind along the bank of the creek.
+The mother was the first to recognize the voice, and rushing forward she
+caught her child in her arms, murmuring in her own language:
+
+"Mein Kind! Mein Kind! Gott sei Dank!" (My child! My child! God be
+thanked!)
+
+"Mein lieber Nellie! Komm an mein Herz! Kannst du es sein?" (My dear
+Nellie! Come to my heart! Can it be you?) exclaimed the overjoyed
+father.
+
+"O meine abtrünnige Schwester! Wie du uns erschreckt hast! Wie es mich
+freut dich zu finden!" (Oh, my truant sister! What a scare you have
+given us! How glad I am to find you!) shouted Nick.
+
+And the child that was lost and was found was hugged first by mother,
+then by father, and then by Nick, and then all strove to get hold of her
+at the same time, till the brother ceased, through fear that she would
+be torn apart.
+
+Nellie was laughing and crying, and wondering why it was such commotion
+was caused by her return to her folks.
+
+Mr. Layton and Kilgore heard the tumult, and knew what it meant. A few
+minutes brought them to the spot, and, though their greeting was less
+demonstrative, their eyes filled with tears over the exceeding joy of
+the reunited family.
+
+When the excitement had subsided somewhat, the group listened to the
+story of Nellie. She told it in her childish, straightforward manner,
+and it was all the more impressive on that account.
+
+The listeners were greatly touched; but the probability that a large
+bear was in the neighborhood hastened their footsteps and they lost no
+time in hurrying away.
+
+When they reached the highway above, crossed the bridge, and had gone
+some distance on their way home, they began to feel there was nothing to
+be feared from the animal. Mr. Layton referred to the tracks of the
+beast which they had noticed when hunting for Nellie, but said he would
+never have mentioned it until the fate of the girl became known; for the
+suggestions which must have followed were too dreadful.
+
+Nothing was seen of the animal, however, and, as the distance from the
+bridge was increased the party finally gave up all thought and
+conversation respecting it.
+
+There was a grateful household that night, when, at a late hour, they
+gathered about the family altar and the head returned thanks to Him who
+had been so merciful to them and theirs.
+
+The happy mother held the daughter in her arms all night, while they
+both slept; and when the parent awoke, now and then, through the
+darkness, she shuddered, pressed the little one closer to her and kissed
+the chubby cheek, on which her former tears had not yet dried.
+
+But Katrina Ribsam was none the less an affectionate mother when,
+several days later, she called Nellie to her knee and told her how
+wrongly she had acted in venturing on such a dangerous tramp without
+asking permission from her parents.
+
+Nellie said she knew it, and wondered why it was her mother delayed the
+punishment so long. She was ready, and loved and respected her mother
+the more for administering it.
+
+But truth compels me to say that the chastisement was given with such a
+gentle hand that it was hardly worth the name, and the mother herself
+suffered far more than did the child, who to this day is not conscious
+that she received anything like physical pain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+OMINOUS PREPARATIONS.
+
+
+Happily there are few little girls in this favored land who are called
+upon to go through such trials as fell to the lot of little Nellie
+Ribsam when she was but eight years old.
+
+It created much talk in the neighborhood, and she was complimented on
+the bravery she had shown, while the glad father became more confirmed
+than ever in his favorite belief that God helps them that help
+themselves.
+
+"'Spose dot she didn't try to helps herself some," he said, in talking
+the matter over with Mr. Marston, "don't you not sees dot she would get
+eat up doo, dree times by dot bear dot vos bigger as nefer vos?"
+
+"It is a good thing for one, even though he be a child, to be able to do
+his utmost when overtaken by danger--there can be no question about
+_that_; but it would require a great deal of training to bring some
+children to that point, even when they are double the years of your
+little girl."
+
+"Dot's becos dere folks don't not begins right; we starts mit Nick and
+Nellie when dey was so small dot dey didn't know nuffin, which is why it
+happens dey knows so much now."
+
+Great as was the interest excited by the adventure of Nellie, it was not
+long before it was thrown in the shade by another fact which was brought
+to light by that same experience: that was the existence of a large bear
+in the woods which lay to the east and west of the road leading to
+Dunbarton.
+
+This forest, as has already been intimated, covered a large tract of
+country, in which, a few years previous, bears, deer, and wolves had
+been hunted by many of those dwelling on the outskirts. Large inroads
+had been made on the woodland, and here and there the cabin of a settler
+or squatter was found by those who penetrated any distance.
+
+There were clearings extending over several acres, while, again, a man
+might wander for hours without emerging from the timber, which included
+the common varieties found in the Middle States--oak, beech, maple,
+birch, hickory, hemlock, black walnut, American poplar or whitewood,
+gum, elm, persimmon, and others less important.
+
+The pine resembled the famous white pine of the Allegheny mountains, and
+predominated. Where there was such a large area covered with timber,
+about every variety of surface was known. In some places were rocks,
+ravines, hollows, and gulches; in others there were marshy swamps
+through which a hunter would find it hard work to force his way.
+
+Shark Creek entered from the east and was of considerable volume. In
+many places it was deep, while elsewhere it widened into broad and
+shallow expansions. It wound its way through the woods in the sinuous
+course always taken by such streams, and, crossing the road, where it
+was spanned by a bridge, it continued onward a quarter of a mile, when
+it reached Shark Pond, the overflow of which ultimately found its way
+into the Susquehanna and so to the Atlantic.
+
+Why the waters were called Shark Creek and Pond was more than any one
+could explain. Most likely it was because no such fish as the shark had
+ever been seen near them, the circumstances of the case rendering it
+impossible that such a voracious creature ever should have sported in
+their depths.
+
+From what has been said, it will be seen that the woods offered a most
+inviting home for a few wild bears, and there was the best reason for
+the belief of many of the neighbors that if the tract was well hunted
+over several of the animals would be found.
+
+The universal opinion was that they should be exterminated, for so long
+as they were in the woods, so long were they a standing menace to all
+the men, women, and children who dwelt in the section. The children,
+especially, were considered in great peril, and several timid mothers
+refused to let their girls and boys go to school, which stood at no
+great distance from the woods.
+
+There was more than one farmer who contended that, if the few bears were
+left alone they would multiply to that degree that they would sally
+forth from the forest, like the Delaware Indians of the last century,
+and carry death and destruction before them.
+
+A few individuals, like Gustav Ribsam, said there was nothing to fear,
+for when the bears showed any marked increase they would be killed, and
+it would be no very difficult job, either.
+
+But no one could dispute the desirability of ridding the country of the
+brute which came so near eating little Nellie Ribsam; and, where there
+was so much talk, something was done, or at least attempted.
+
+A hunting party of six men was organized in the month of October, and
+they tramped through the woods for days, with a couple of dogs, but the
+trail of the animal could not be found. They finally gave up the hunt,
+the most tired and disgusted not hesitating to declare they did not
+believe a bear had been seen in the forest for half a century.
+
+The opinion of those best qualified to judge, was that bruin obtained
+all the food he wanted with such little trouble that he did not care to
+molest any persons, and therefore kept out of the way of the hunters.
+
+Nick Ribsam, like all boys, was fond of a gun and dog, and he did not
+own either. His father had brought from Holland an old musket, used
+before the country was erected into a kingdom for Louis Bonaparte, more
+than eighty years ago; but when Nick rammed a charge down its dusty
+throat one day, forgetful that one had been resting there for months,
+and pulled trigger, it hung fire a long time; but, when it did go off,
+it did so in an overwhelming fashion, bursting into a dozen pieces and
+narrowly missing killing the astounded lad who discharged it.
+
+But Nick was so anxious to own a gun, that his father bought him one on
+the day he reached the age of ten years, which was shortly after
+Nellie's adventure with the bear. Although the farmer was frugal in all
+things, he believed it was the cheapest to buy the best, and the gun
+which was placed in the hands of Nick was a breech-loader with double
+barrels. It was a shot-gun, as a matter of course, for little use could
+be found for a rifle in that neighborhood.
+
+But Nick had practiced with this piece only a few weeks, when his
+ambition was turned in another direction by a large, strong boy, who
+hired himself out upon the farm of Mr. Marston. He was sixteen years of
+age, and was named Sam Harper. His father had been a soldier in the late
+war, and gave to Sam a fine breech-loading rifle, which he brought with
+him when he hired out to Mr. Marston.
+
+The lad had owned it two years, and, under the tutelage of his father,
+who was wounded and living upon a pension, he became very skillful for
+one of his age.
+
+Beside this, Mr. Marston himself, as I have shown, was fond of hunting
+in his early manhood, and was the owner of an excellent muzzle-loading
+rifle, which was as good as when his keen eye glanced along the brown
+barrel and the bullet was buried in the unsuspicious deer, so far away
+as to be scarcely visible to the ordinary vision.
+
+"If you and Sam want to hunt the bear," said the kind owner, "you are
+welcome to my rifle, for you know a shot-gun ain't exactly the thing to
+go hunting bears with."
+
+"That's just what I want it for," said Nick, with sparkling eyes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE BEAR HUNTERS.
+
+
+Nothing is impossible to pluck and perseverance. That boy who is
+determined to become brilliant in his studies, no matter what their
+nature, or to master a difficult profession, or to attain any point
+possible of attainment, is sure to win, if he will but _stick to it_.
+
+Nick Ribsam was resolved to become skillful with the rifle, and he gave
+all the time he could spare to practice with the gun which belonged to
+Mr. Marston. He was desirous of starting after the bear with Sam, as
+soon as he could use the gun, but his sensible father shook his head.
+
+"No, Nicholas, that would be doing wrong, for you do not know how to
+handle the rifle; God does not step in and help the lazy and careless;
+first learn how to use the weapon, so you will never miss; then you may
+go hunt bears."
+
+Although a lusty lad, Nick found the heavy gun was quite a burden, and
+he preferred to rest the barrel on the fence, or in the crotch of a
+tree, when aiming, but Sam Harper told him he could never amount to
+anything unless he used his weapon off-hand, and was ready to do so
+effectively, no matter how sudden the call.
+
+Nick applied all his energies, and in the course of a few weeks won the
+praise of Sam, who had become very fond of the bright and good-natured
+"Pennsylvania Dutchman," who, in return, helped him in his efforts to
+improve his knowledge in arithmetic, which he studied in a desultory way
+on the long autumn evenings, having promised his father to do so.
+
+Mr. Marston owned a dog which was not of much account, but the boys
+trained him with rare patience, and were confident he would prove
+valuable when they took him on the hunt.
+
+By the time they were ready to start autumn was advanced, and Nick, who
+had carefully studied up the peculiarities of the animal, said he was
+afraid the bear had gone into some hollow tree or cave to take his
+winter's sleep.
+
+"I don't think they do that till the weather gets colder," said Sam, who
+had once helped hunt bruin in the wilds of Tennessee, "and even in very
+cold weather I have seen their tracks in the snow; but if we can only
+find the tree or cave where he is hiding, why, that will just be
+splendid."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"He is fat, lazy, and so sleepy that he don't fight much; but in the
+spring-time he is lean, hungry, and fierce, and then everybody must look
+out. There are so many chestnuts and hickory nuts in the woods now that
+he can get all he wants to eat without scaring the farmers by visiting
+them."
+
+"The bear eats almost everything," said Nick, "but I don't believe he
+can make much of a meal off hickory nuts."
+
+"Well, he has got a good thing of it anyway, here, there is so much food
+around him, and if he had only been smart enough to keep out of sight
+and never show himself he might have died of old age without being once
+disturbed by hunters."
+
+"I ain't sure he won't die of old age as it is," said Nick, with a
+laugh; "for every one who went after him came back without the first
+glimpse. I guess they have all given up hope of shooting him, and I
+shouldn't wonder if we had to do the same."
+
+But whether such was to be the result or not remained to be seen, and
+the boys were sure of plenty of sport in an all-day ramble through the
+woods.
+
+During all this time Nick and Nellie were attending school, and they
+maintained their places in their studies, and were surpassed by none in
+the excellence of their deportment.
+
+Nick rose early and helped his father with his work, and at night did
+his chores. With all this, he found opportunity to practice with the
+rifle and to prepare his lessons for the morrow, so that it need not be
+said he had little idle time on his hands.
+
+On a bright Saturday morning in November, when the smoky haze of the
+delicious Indian summer overspread forest, stream, and country, Sam
+Harper came to the house of Nick Ribsam according to appointment.
+
+His rifle was slung over his shoulder, and the dog, which they had
+christened Bowser, was at his heels. There was no school that day, and
+Mr. Ribsam, having satisfied himself of the ability of Nick to handle
+the rifle of his neighbor, had given him permission to go on a hunt for
+the bear which had so frightened Nellie a couple of months before.
+
+The mother and daughter were a little anxious when the rosy-cheeked boy
+donned his heavy boots, pushed his trousers down the legs, and taking
+the long-barreled rifle from where it rested in the corner turned to
+kiss them good-by.
+
+Mr. Ribsam seemed as cool and stolid as ever; but any one looking
+closely at him would have observed that he puffed his pipe a little
+oftener than was his wont, while his eye beamed more kindly upon his
+brave little boy.
+
+"Look out, Nick, and don't be too venturesome," said the mother, as she
+pressed her lips to those of her only son.
+
+"And remember that the bear is an awful big animal," said Nellie, "for
+I _seen_ him."
+
+The brother, who was in the act of leaning over his sister to kiss her,
+drew back with a reproving look.
+
+"Why is it a girl can't talk without saying 'awful' in every sentence? I
+wish for variety's sake, Nellie, you and the rest of the girls would
+leave 'awful' out of one sentence in a hundred, and don't say 'I _seen_
+him,' for you know better than that, sister."
+
+She hung her head and her eyes were growing misty, when Nick took the
+kiss with a laugh and moved to the door.
+
+"There, there, good-by; you all act as if I was going to Africa to hunt
+lions and tigers."
+
+Nellie snapped him up in a flash:
+
+"There ain't any tigers in Africa, smarty!"
+
+"You got me that time," laughed Nick; "where is father?"
+
+"He went out of the door a minute ago; he is standing by the gate," said
+the mother, after a quick glance through the window.
+
+Mr. Ribsam was leaning on the gate-post, as was a favorite custom of
+his, and the tobacco smoke ascended in clouds and rings, as though he
+was a locomotive tugging hard at a train, with the wheels continually
+slipping.
+
+He looked at the boys without stirring or speaking, as they passed out
+the gate and gently closed it, so as not to jar the old gentleman
+leaning upon it.
+
+When they had gone a rod or so, Mr. Ribsam called out:
+
+"Nicholas!"
+
+"Yes, sir!" answered the son, wheeling instantly.
+
+The father took the long stem of his pipe from his mouth, emitted a
+blast of vapor, and then shut his eyes and flung his head backward with
+a quick flirt, which meant that his boy should come to him.
+
+Nick obeyed with his usual promptness, and paused immediately in front
+of his parent, while Sam Harper stopped short and looked backward at the
+two, with the purpose of waiting until the interview ended.
+
+The old gentleman meant his words for both, and he therefore used the
+English tongue as best he could, and spoke loud:
+
+"Nicholas, bears ish shtrong amimals as nefer vos: they can squeeze in
+der ribs of a ox of dey tried, I dinks, so looks out dot de bears don't
+not squeeze mit you."
+
+"I will take good care, you may depend."
+
+"His claws am sharp and he has big jaws; look outs for dem, Nicholas!"
+
+"You may be sure I will."
+
+"And, Nicholas, ven you goes for to hunt bears _you must helps one
+anoder; you hears_?"
+
+This was the all-important sentence the father had prepared himself to
+utter. It will be observed that it was in violation of his oft repeated
+creed, for it clearly called upon the boys to render mutual support
+should danger arise; and they would have been zanies had they not done
+so.
+
+The father expected them to show that much sense, but he was impelled to
+impress the necessity of it: he meant them to understand that his
+declarations were subject to amendment under certain conditions.
+
+Nick gave the pledge and stepped briskly up the road with Sam, while
+Bowser frolicked in the fields and road until they were fairly in the
+woods, when he frisked among the trees, sometimes starting up a squirrel
+or rabbit, which had no trouble in skurrying out of his reach.
+
+As the bear when seen by Nellie was near Shark Creek, the boys agreed to
+follow the road to the bridge, descend into the bed of the stream, and
+then go downward toward the pond and finally off into the woods, where
+they intended to pass that day and probably the night and following day.
+
+They had reached and passed the tree in which Nellie Ribsam took refuge
+two months before, when Nick suddenly exclaimed:
+
+"Hallo, there is some one ahead of us!"
+
+"It's the season for game and we shall find plenty of hunters in the
+wood," said Sam Harper, who, nevertheless, scanned the person with much
+interest.
+
+The fact that the boys were following precisely in his footsteps raised
+the suggestion that perhaps he was engaged on the same business or
+sport, as it might be termed.
+
+Our friends hastened their pace so as to overtake him, for his company
+might be desirable, or possibly it might be otherwise.
+
+"Hallo, there!" called out Nick; "wait a minute!"
+
+The individual thus hailed turned about, and looked back to see who it
+was that called.
+
+As he did so his face was seen, and Nick Ribsam gave utterance to an
+expression of astonishment.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+A RECRUIT.
+
+
+The stranger ahead of the two boys was Herbert Watrous, the city youth
+upon whom Nick had sat down so hard three years before.
+
+He was unusually tall when visiting the country school, and during the
+intervening time he had continued to grow upward, until his height
+equaled that of an ordinary man. He was scarce fourteen years old, but
+he lacked very little of six feet in altitude.
+
+He was correspondingly slim, so that he looked as if a smart blow on the
+back would snap him in two. He was arrayed in a most gorgeous hunting
+suit of green, with all the paraphernalia which the hunter from the city
+thinks necessary when he honors the country with a tramp for game.
+
+Herbert, beyond question, was fitted out in fine style, and there was
+nothing lacking, except perhaps skill. He carried one of the finest of
+breech-loading rifles, which would have been very effective in the hands
+of a party who knew how to use it.
+
+The face of the lad had not changed in expression to any extent since
+Nick Ribsam drove him into the earth, but there was some downy furze on
+his upper lip and chin, while his voice was of that squeaky and
+uncertain tone heard when "changing."
+
+"Hallo! is that you?" was the rather superfluous question of Herbert, as
+he waited for the two boys to come up. He recognized Nick, but of course
+was a stranger to Sam Harper, to whom Nick introduced him, and there was
+a general shaking of hands all around.
+
+Young Watrous glanced rather askance at his old school-mate, but there
+was such a cordial welcome on the part of the young "American of Dutch
+descent" that all reserve vanished.
+
+A certain loftiness of manner and conceit of expression, however, were
+natural to Herbert, and he did not fail to look down, in a literal and
+figurative sense, upon the two hunters.
+
+"That's a fine gun you have there, Herbert," said Nick, venturing to
+reach out his hand for it.
+
+"Yes," answered Herbert, passing it to him rather gingerly, "be careful
+not to drop it."
+
+The gun was a beautiful weapon, known as the long range "Creedmoor." It
+was a Remington, highly finished, and cost $125. It had a front sight,
+known as the wind-gauge, with the spirit-level, and with the vernier
+sight on the stock, which is raised from its flat position when the
+hunter wishes to shoot a long distance, and is graduated up to a
+thousand yards, carrying a 44 cartridge.
+
+"That isn't of much account in this part of the world," said Sam Harper,
+passing the weapon back; "it's light enough, for I don't suppose it
+weighs more than six or seven pounds."
+
+"It's just the thing for these woods," said Herbert, in his important
+manner, "for I calculate to bring down game a half mile away, if I
+happen to see it."
+
+"And provided it will stand still and you can know the exact distance."
+
+"I can tell that by my eye easily enough."
+
+"You can't guess within two hundred yards of it, if your life depended
+on it."
+
+"That remains to be seen."
+
+"The first time you try it will prove it. I have seen them shoot with
+the telescopes, globe, and peep sights and all the new fangled notions,
+and they're good only for fancy shooting. You've got to use that
+breech-loader off-hand, just as I do, or it won't be worth a cent to
+you."
+
+"I understand that a big black bear has been seen in the woods," said
+Herbert, in his loftiest style; "I've come to kill him."
+
+Nick and Sam looked significantly at each other, and Nick said:
+
+"That is what we are after; won't you join us?"
+
+Instead of responding promptly, Herbert said:
+
+"Well, I don't know as I have any objection to letting you go with me,
+though you must promise to do as I say."
+
+Without giving this pledge, the two said they would render all the help
+they could, and the party moved on down the creek toward the pond.
+
+"Have you a dog?" asked Nick of their new recruit.
+
+"No, what do I want of a dog? He would only be a bother; you ought to
+send back that pumpkin of yours."
+
+"We don't expect him to be of much help, except to find the track of the
+bear, if he is anywhere in the neighborhood--_there!_ do you hear that?"
+
+At that moment Bowser, who had trotted into the woods ahead, gave
+utterance to a hoarse, resounding bay, which sounded as though his voice
+had also changed, for it ended in a dismal squeaking howl that made all
+laugh.
+
+"He is on the track of something," said Nick in some excitement.
+
+"A rabbit, I am sure," remarked Herbert, with a sneer.
+
+The three started off at a rapid walk, which occasionally broke into a
+trot, and following the baying of the hound they turned to the right
+before reaching the big pond, and struck into the very heart of the
+woods.
+
+Herbert was so much taller and lighter than his companions that he drew
+away from them once or twice, but was obliging enough to stop and wait.
+
+Hurrying along in this headlong fashion they soon stopped, all pretty
+well out of breath.
+
+Although Herbert had laughed at their tardiness, he was the most
+exhausted and the first one to wish to rest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+A SURPRISE.
+
+
+All this time the baying of the hound continued, the sounds showing that
+he had circled and was approaching the boys, who were not a little
+astonished at the unexpected turn of affairs.
+
+"That's a pretty dog," laughed Herbert; "he is making fools of us all."
+
+"There isn't any need of that so far as _you_ are concerned," retorted
+Nick, losing patience with the slurs of their companion. "You had better
+wait till you find out what it means before you condemn Bowser."
+
+Herbert made no answer, for the dog was now so close that the interest
+of all was centered on his actions.
+
+"My gracious, what a terrible racket he makes!" exclaimed Nick; "there
+must be something unusual to excite Bowser like that."
+
+The dog was not heard for several minutes, but the crashing through the
+undergrowth sounded nearer and nearer, and, as Sam declared, showed that
+Bowser had steam up and was going for something.
+
+Suddenly the bushes parted only a short ways from where the three
+wondering lads stood, and, instead of the hound, some kind of a wild
+animal came toward them on a dead run.
+
+The group were too amazed to think of the guns they held, and only
+stared in mute wonder.
+
+The game did not see them until within a hundred feet, when he whirled
+at right angles and plunged away with arrowy speed.
+
+As he did so, he exposed his flank to the young hunters, who could not
+have been given a better opportunity to bring him down, for the throwing
+forward of the foreleg, opened his most vulnerable part to the bullet.
+
+But none was sent after him; at that instant he was recognized as a fine
+buck deer, with branching antlers thrown back so that they seemed to
+rest on his spine, while his legs were flung straight in front and then
+backward, as he took his long graceful leaps.
+
+The boys had set out to hunt a bear, and were astounded that, when they
+dared not hope they were anywhere in his vicinity, a splendid deer
+should spring up and dash by them.
+
+Before they could give utterance to their amazement, Bowser came along
+with his nose to the ground and baying hoarsely.
+
+Just as he turned to follow the deer, Herbert Watrous raised his
+breech-loader to his shoulder and fired point blank at him.
+
+"What did you do that for?" demanded Sam Harper, striding threateningly
+toward him with his fist raised.
+
+"Why--why--I declare! I thought it was the bear!" exclaimed the abashed
+Herbert; "I never dreamed it was the dog."
+
+Sam was not disposed to believe this story, and he stood irresolute,
+strongly inclined to punish the city youth who had fired at his hound;
+but Nick compelled his angry friend to laugh by saying:
+
+"You shouldn't be mad, Sam, for Bowser is safe so long as Herbert aims
+at him. I don't think he came within twenty feet. If he should hit him
+you can make up your mind it is an accident."
+
+Herbert hardly knew how to answer this remark, for he saw that he had
+not done a very creditable thing, view it as he might, so he made a
+radical turn in the conversation.
+
+"Who would have thought it, boys? We've got not only a bear, but a deer
+to hunt, and I say, may the best fellow win!"
+
+And with this manly sentiment on his lips he broke into a rapid run
+after the buck and hound, the others following, forgetful of the little
+flurry a few minutes before.
+
+It was not in the order of things that the lads should be able to make
+their way through the woods and undergrowth with anything like the speed
+of the fallow deer or dog. Hunters don't expect to overtake their game
+in anything like a fair chase when all are on foot, but resort to
+stratagem.
+
+By stationing themselves so as to head off a deer, they secure the one
+shot which is all-sufficient. It would be counted an extremely good
+piece of fortune could they obtain such a fair target as has already
+been given the young hunters; and, having let it pass unimproved, they
+scarcely would have expected to be so favored again.
+
+It was natural, therefore, that they should make a pell-mell rush after
+the deer and hound, and that they should keep going until, once more,
+they were forced to stop from exhaustion.
+
+By this time the baying of Bowser came to them so faintly that it was
+plain he was a mile distant at the least, while there could be little
+doubt that the buck was much farther off.
+
+"Well!" exclaimed the panting Herbert Watrous, "I can't say I see much
+fun in this; it's too much like chasing a railroad train."
+
+"No," added Nick, "I don't see that there is any hope of running down
+the deer, who is more used to traveling than we are."
+
+"Maybe he'll come round in a circle again," said Sam, "and we may have
+another chance to see him sail by, while not one of us raises his gun."
+
+"I suppose we ought to understand something more about the habits of
+the deer, so that we would know what course he would be likely to take.
+We could then get there ahead of him and fire as soon as he gave us a
+chance."
+
+"Well," added Sam, with a sigh, "he seems to have taken the route we
+were going to follow to hunt the bear, so we may as well tramp along. We
+may get a glimpse of a buffalo or elephant next."
+
+The baying of the hound had ceased, and, though the boys often stopped
+and listened, they heard nothing more of it.
+
+"I guess he has caught the deer," said Herbert, who showed a desire to
+speak well of Bowser since he had failed to shoot him, "and is waiting
+for us."
+
+But Sam shook his head; he knew the canine too well to believe him
+capable of such an exploit as that.
+
+"I don't think he ever ran down anything yet, unless it was a chicken or
+cat--hallo!"
+
+At that moment the subject of their conversation appeared on the scene,
+approaching as quietly as though the boys were sheep that he wished to
+surprise.
+
+He slouched along with a lazy, tired gait, his tongue out, and dripping
+with perspiration, while he panted as though he had been on the severest
+chase of his life, which most likely was the fact.
+
+He lay down at the feet of Sam Harper, and, stretching out his paws,
+rested his head between them as much as to say, "Gentlemen, I have had
+enough of this sport, and resign; you will now carry it on without my
+assistance."
+
+"He is tired out, and I don't wonder," said Sam, stooping over and
+patting the head of the hound; "he ain't used to deer hunting, and don't
+know much more about it than do we."
+
+"Then he don't know anything," was the truthful observation of Nick
+Ribsam.
+
+"It's my opinion that it's best to give up hunting that particular deer
+until we learn a little more about the right way to do it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+THE DINNER IN THE WOODS.
+
+
+By this time it was close to the hour of noon, and the young hunters
+were hungry. They had brought no lunch with them, for that would have
+been an admission that they doubted their own ability to provide food
+for themselves in a country abounding with game.
+
+Nick Ribsam had a paper of salt and pepper mixed, with which to season
+their dinner as soon as it should be secured.
+
+The common red squirrels, or chickarees, were so plentiful that they
+were nearly always in sight, and, without moving from where they stood,
+the lads descried several running along the limbs of the trees.
+
+"Let each of us shoot one," said Sam, walking forth to get a better aim
+at a fellow perched high on the branch of a large oak.
+
+Slowly bringing his gun to his shoulder, he took careful aim, and the
+game came tumbling through the leaves to the ground, his head punctured
+by the cruel bullet. Bowser started at a lazy walk to bring the body in,
+but Sam stopped him and picked it up himself.
+
+"I think I will take _that_ one," said Herbert, indicating a squirrel
+which was nearer than the others. It was sitting in the crotch of a
+tree, nigh enough to be struck with a stone flung by a skillful thrower.
+
+The other two watched his actions with some interest as he raised the
+handsome breech-loader. He took a long and deliberate aim, and gave a
+grunt the instant he pulled the trigger, and the sharp report broke the
+stillness of the woods.
+
+Nick and Sam laughed, for the frightened rodent scampered up the tree
+and ran out upon a heavy branch, where he whisked from sight and then
+back again, chattering in such a lively fashion that it was plain he had
+suffered no inconvenience from the bullet sent after him.
+
+"Well, I'll be hanged!" exclaimed the chagrined Herbert, "I don't
+understand how that came about."
+
+"The squirrel doesn't seem to understand it, either," said Sam; "let's
+see whether you can do any worse, Nick."
+
+"I'm going to try and bark him," remarked Nick, cocking his rifle and
+sighting at the little animal.
+
+Before he could make his aim sure, the chickaree started to run along
+the limb, which was large and covered with thick, shaggy bark; but the
+muzzle of the weapon swerved slowly in a corresponding direction, and
+just as the game gathered itself to make a leap, the explosion came.
+
+The others, who were watching the squirrel to note the result, saw
+several pieces of bark suddenly fly upward with such force that the
+rodent was hurled fully a foot above the limb, dropping like a wet rag
+at the feet of the lad, killed, without its skin being broken.
+
+"That was a good shot!" exclaimed Sam Harper admiringly; "no hunter in
+the land could have barked him better than did you."
+
+"What do you mean by barking a squirrel?" asked Herbert, who had never
+seen anything of the kind before.
+
+"It is easy enough; all you have to do is to cut the bark right under
+the squirrel's body, so that the pieces fly upward with such force as to
+knock the life from him."
+
+"That's the way I'm going to kill them after this."
+
+"It is best to practice hitting them with the ball first," Nick
+suggested.
+
+Herbert solemnly removed the shell of the cartridge from his
+breech-loader and replaced it with a fresh one, pretending not to hear
+the remark of Nick.
+
+As the two squirrels were large and in excellent condition, it was
+thought they would afford enough dinner for the boys, who went some
+distance farther until they reached a small stream of clear, icy water,
+where they decided to make their fire.
+
+While Nick and Herbert busied themselves gathering some dry twigs and
+sticks, Sam Harper, with his keen knife, skillfully skinned the
+chickarees, dressed them, and then holding them over the flame on
+green, forked sticks, they were soon cooked to a turn.
+
+For a few minutes before they were ready, the odor of the broiling game
+so sharpened the appetites of the boys that Nick sprang up, and,
+hurrying out in the woods, shot another for Sam to dress and cook.
+
+"Two ain't enough," he said in explanation, as he threw the last to his
+friend; "I can eat a couple myself, and Bowser looks sort of faint."
+
+"The waste parts ought to be enough for him," said Sam, glancing at the
+hound, who had gulped down everything thrown him and was gazing
+wistfully for the next tid-bits that should fall to his share.
+
+The clear, pure air, the vigorous exercise, and the rugged health of the
+boys gave them appetites scarcely less forceful than that of Bowser; and
+when Nick had carefully sprinkled the seasoning over the juicy, crisp
+flesh, and each, taking one of the squirrels in hand, began wrenching
+off the tender meat, he was sure he had never tasted such a delicious
+dinner in all his life.
+
+Even Herbert Watrous, accustomed as he was to the delicacies and
+refinements of a city home, admitted that there was something about the
+meal which, washed down with clear, pure water, had a flavor surpassing
+anything of the kind he had ever known.
+
+The causes why it tasted thus I have already stated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+A TEST OF MARKSMANSHIP.
+
+
+The boys were so tired from their severe tramp, and the rest was so
+grateful after finishing their dinner, that they stayed where they were
+an hour longer. Then, realizing that nothing could be done by idleness,
+they slung their reloaded rifles over their shoulders, took another
+drink of water, and lazily made their way to higher ground.
+
+"I have been thinking," said Nick, when they paused again, "that we will
+be more likely to learn something of the bear if we separate."
+
+"For how long?" Herbert asked.
+
+"Until night, or until we find him."
+
+"But how can we find each other at night?"
+
+"That can be fixed easily enough; if necessary, we can signal to each
+other, or we can pick out some landmark that can be seen a long ways
+off and gradually approach that as the sun goes down."
+
+There was nothing brilliant in this proposition, but after some
+discussion it was agreed to by the others, and they began looking around
+for something which might serve them as a guide.
+
+Directly to the north, the woods rose in a series of hills of no great
+elevation, but among them were numerous large rocks of limestone
+formation, some of them of such a light color that they could be seen a
+long distance.
+
+"Right yonder," said Nick, pointing toward the largest, "is one which we
+cannot mistake; let's agree to meet there at nightfall and go into camp.
+If either one of us loses his reckoning he will fire his gun and the
+others will answer him, so there need be no danger at all."
+
+"I don't see as there would be any danger if we failed to find each
+other before morning," said Sam; "we are not in a wild country where
+Indians will hunt for us."
+
+"There ain't any danger," said Herbert, "only it will be a great deal
+more pleasant to spend the night together; you will feel safer by
+knowing that I am with you with my patent breech-loader."
+
+"Yes," said Nick, "for by keeping close to you there won't be half as
+much likelihood of being hit when you fire at something else."
+
+"I haven't tried yet," said Herbert; "my gun is a long-distance shooter:
+there's where I get my work in. Show me a mark a good long distance off
+and you'll open your eyes."
+
+"Well, I declare, if that doesn't beat all!"
+
+It was Sam Harper who uttered this exclamation. He had been gazing
+steadily at a broad, flat rock about a quarter of a mile distant to the
+northwest of them, and his words announced that he had made some
+important discovery.
+
+The peculiar tone in which he spoke caused the others to turn toward him
+and ask the cause.
+
+"Look at that yellowish white rock," he answered, pointing toward it,
+"and tell me whether that isn't a little ahead of anything yet."
+
+One brief searching glance showed that the young man had sufficient
+cause for his excitement.
+
+[Illustration: "Now I'll show you what my Creedmoor will do," said
+Herbert Watrous.]
+
+Standing on the top of the rock, so that his figure was thrown in clear
+relief against the tinted sky behind him, was the very buck they had
+been vainly chasing. He seemed to be looking back at the young hunters
+as though he disdained their prowess and defied them to renew their
+attempt to bring him down.
+
+"_That's my chance!_" exclaimed Herbert, in excitement; "that's just my
+distance; get out of my way! give me room! now I'll show you what my
+Creedmoor will do, when aimed by a master of the art."
+
+With great display and ceremony the youth prepared to give an exhibition
+of shooting like that shown at the international matches. The others
+stepped back, so as not to impede his movements, and he deliberately
+threw off his cap, got down on his back, raised the rear sight, crossed
+his feet and drew them half way up to his body, then rested the barrel
+of his gun on the support thus furnished between the knees, and with his
+left hand beneath his head, and turned so as to rest against the stock
+of his gun, while his right was crooked around with the finger lightly
+pressing the trigger, he was in the proper position to make a "crack
+shot."
+
+The others watched his actions with the closest attention, only fearful
+that the deer would not keep his position long enough for Herbert to
+obtain the aim he wished.
+
+The conditions could not have been more favorable; the buck being to the
+northwest, while the sun was high in the heavens, there was no confusion
+of vision from that cause. The smokiness of the atmosphere was so slight
+that it was scarcely perceptible at so brief a distance, while there was
+not the least breath of air stirring.
+
+"I am afraid he will lose his chance if he waits too long," said Nick
+impatiently, in an undertone to Sam, who whispered back:
+
+"The buck understands him and will wait."
+
+It was evident that Mr. Herbert Watrous did not mean to spoil his aim by
+haste. Shutting one eye, he squinted carefully through his sights,
+lowering or raising the stock or barrel so as to shift the aim, until
+at last he had it elevated and pointed to suit him.
+
+Sam watched the buck, while Nick kept his eye on the marksman, who was
+holding his breath, with his finger crowding the trigger harder and
+harder until the explosion came.
+
+As before, Herbert uttered a grunt the instant the piece was discharged,
+and then, hastily clambering to his feet, he put on his cap and said
+with the utmost assurance:
+
+"That bullet struck him in the chest and will be found buried in his
+body."
+
+"He doesn't know you fired at him," said Sam Harper, as the buck, a
+moment later, turned about and walked out of sight.
+
+"The deer doesn't fall at once, even if you drive the bullet through his
+heart. That buck may go a hundred yards or so, but he will then drop as
+if struck by lightning."
+
+The confidence with which these words were uttered puzzled Nick and
+caused him to think that possibly the boaster was right after all, and
+he had made the shot he claimed.
+
+The truth would probably be learned during the afternoon, for Nick
+meant to learn it for himself.
+
+Now that they agreed to separate, it was decided that Herbert should
+keep straight along the route they had been following. Sam should
+diverge to the right, while Nick would swerve far enough to the left to
+pass the rock whereupon the buck stood at the time he was shot or rather
+shot at.
+
+"I am bound to find out the truth," said Nick, with a shake of the head.
+
+And so he did; but little did he dream of what was to happen to him
+during this search for the truth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+A QUAIL.
+
+
+As the hound belonged to Sam Harper and showed a disposition to go with
+him, he was allowed to do so, the lad moving off to the right and Nick
+Ribsam to the left, as was agreed upon.
+
+Nick had not his father's watch with him, but Herbert Watrous carried a
+handsome gold hunting-piece, which was now consulted and showed it was
+nearly two o'clock.
+
+"The days are getting short," said Sam Harper, with a doubtful shake of
+the head; "that doesn't leave us more than three hours of daylight, and
+it is hardly worth while to part company."
+
+"What's the odds?" laughed Nick, who was anxious to look for the deer;
+"we won't be far apart, as we may be to-morrow."
+
+And, without waiting to discuss the question, he struck to the left with
+his strong step, the others following the courses already mentioned.
+
+No afternoon could have been more charming, with the summer lingering
+and mellowing the approaching winter.
+
+The faint, smoky haze of the atmosphere, the clear sky, the warm sun,
+the brilliant-hued vegetation in the woods, the faint cawing of crows in
+the distance, and the flight of birds overhead, looking like
+mathematical figures in India-ink gliding across the blue heavens, the
+delicious languor everywhere: all these were at their best, and he who
+was wandering through the rainbow-tinted forest, where the sleepy waters
+flowed, could well understand why it was the pioneers, like Daniel
+Boone, Simon Kenton, and others, turned their backs on civilization,
+and, plunging into the wilderness, buried themselves for months from the
+sight of their fellow-men.
+
+Sam Harper was moving quietly toward the north, when it seemed to him
+that a large leaf suddenly blew forward from beneath his feet and was
+carried swiftly over the ground, straight ahead and away from him.
+
+Looking closely, he discovered that it was a plump quail which he had
+startled, and which was speeding from him. Although the bird has short
+legs it runs very swiftly, and it was gone almost before Sam identified
+it.
+
+"Ah, if I could only get a shot at you," said the lad, his mouth fairly
+watering, "what a splendid supper you would make!"
+
+The words were yet in his mouth, when a sudden whirring sound broke the
+air, and he caught a glimpse of a second quail flying like an arrow
+below the principal limbs.
+
+Sam raised his rifle as quick as a flash, took aim as best he could, and
+fired. Even the great Dr. Carver would have missed under such
+circumstances, and the lad came nowhere near hitting the game.
+
+So swift was the flight of the bird, that as soon as the trigger was
+pulled and Sam looked for it it had vanished. That man who handles the
+rifle must be wonderfully skillful to bring down one of those birds on
+the wing.
+
+It is curious how the name of the common quail is disputed and varied.
+There are plenty who will insist that I should have called this bird a
+partridge, when, in point of fact, there is no true representative of
+the partridge in America.
+
+The spruce partridge is the Canada grouse; the partridge of New England
+is the ruffed grouse; the partridge of the Middle and Southern States is
+the quail, of which several varieties are called partridges; while in
+Europe the birds which are called quails are in reality partridges.
+
+Without tiring my readers by attempting anything like a scientific
+discussion of the question, I may say there are a dozen species of
+quails found in North and Central America and the West Indies, and Mr.
+Baird proposes that, as neither the name quail, partridge, nor pheasant
+is properly given to any American bird, the species to which I refer
+should be called the Bob White.
+
+If this should be done, the smallest urchin will be able to recognize
+the species from its peculiar call.
+
+Sam Harper would have been glad indeed if he could have secured one of
+these delicious birds for supper, but there was little prospect of
+doing so. The game looks so much like the brown and mottled leaves among
+which it searches for food, that a hunter would almost place his foot
+upon one without observing it, while the nest of the quail or partridge
+is almost as impossible to find as the remains of an elephant in Ceylon,
+where it is said no such remains have ever been discovered.
+
+One of the lessons Sam had learned from his father was to reload his gun
+immediately after firing it, so as to be ready for any emergency.
+Accordingly, before stirring from his place, he threw out the shell from
+his breech-loader and replaced it with a new cartridge.
+
+Just as he did so, he heard the report of a gun only a short distance to
+the left, at a point where Herbert Watrous should have been.
+
+"He's scared up something," was the natural conclusion of Sam, who
+smiled as he added; "I wonder whether he could hit a bear a dozen feet
+off with that wonderful Remington of his. It's a good weapon, and I wish
+I owned one; but I wouldn't start out to hunt big game until I learned
+something about it."
+
+The boy waited a minute, listening for some signal from his companion,
+but none was heard and he moved on again.
+
+Sam, like many an amateur hunter, began to appreciate the value of a
+trained hunting dog. Bowser was not a pure-blooded hound; he was fat and
+he was faultily trained. He had stumbled upon the trail of the buck by
+accident and had plunged ahead in pursuit, until "pumped," when he
+seemed to lose all interest in the sport.
+
+He now stayed close to Sam, continually looking up in his face as if to
+ask him when he was going to stop the nonsense and go back home.
+
+He scarcely pricked his ears when the quail ran ahead of him, and paid
+no attention to the whirring made by the other. He had had all he wanted
+of that kind of amusement and showed no disposition to tire himself any
+further.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED LESSON.
+
+
+As it was the height of the hunting season, the reports of guns were
+heard at varying distances through the woods, so that Sam could only
+judge when they were fired by his friends from their nearness to him.
+
+He was well satisfied that the last shot was from the Remington of
+Herbert, while the one that preceded it a few minutes, he was convinced
+came from the muzzle-loader of Nick Ribsam, owned by Mr. Marston.
+
+"The boys seem to have found something too do, but I don't believe they
+have seen anything of the bear--hallo!"
+
+His last exclamation was caused by his unexpected arrival at a clearing,
+in the center of which stood a log cabin, while the half acre
+surrounding it showed that it had been cultivated during the season to
+the highest extent.
+
+There was that air of thrift and cleanliness about the place which told
+the lad that whoever lived within was industrious, frugal, and neat.
+
+"That's a queer place to build a house," said Sam, as he surveyed the
+scene; "no one can earn a living there, and it must make a long walk to
+reach the neighborhood where work is to be had."
+
+Prompted by a natural curiosity, Sam walked over the faintly marked path
+until he stepped upon the piece of hewed log, which answered for a
+porch, directly in front of the door.
+
+Although the latch string hung invitingly out, he did not pull it, but
+knocked rather gently.
+
+"Come in!" was called out in a female voice, and the boy immediately
+opened the door.
+
+A pleasing, neatly-clad young woman was working with her dishes at a
+table, while a fat chub of a boy, about two years old, was playing on
+the floor with a couple of kittens.
+
+The mother, as she evidently was, turned her head so as to face the
+visitor, nodded cheerily, bade him good afternoon, and told him to help
+himself to one of the chairs, whose bottoms were made of white mountain
+ash, as fine and pliable as silken ribbons.
+
+Sam was naturally courteous, and, thanking the lady for her invitation,
+he sat down, placing his cap on his knee. He said he was out on a hunt
+with some friends, and coming upon the cabin thought he would make a
+call, and learn whether he could be of any service to the lady and her
+child.
+
+The mother thanked him, and said that fortunately she was not in need of
+any help, as her husband was well and able to provide her with all she
+needed.
+
+Without giving the conversation in detail, it may be said that Sam
+Harper learned a lesson, during his brief stay in that humble cabin,
+which will go with him through life: it was a lesson of cheerfulness and
+contentment, to which he often refers, and which makes him thankful that
+he was led to turn aside from his sport even for a short while.
+
+The husband of the woman worked for a farmer who lived fully four miles
+away, on the northern edge of the woods, and who paid only scant wages.
+The employee walked the four miles out so as to reach the farm by seven
+o'clock in the morning, and he did not leave until six in the evening.
+He did this summer and winter, through storm and sunshine, and was
+happy.
+
+He lived in the lonely log cabin, because his employer owned it and gave
+him the rent free. It had been erected by some wood-choppers several
+years before, and was left by them when through with their contract, so
+that it was nothing to any one who did not occupy it.
+
+The young man, although now the embodiment of rugged health and
+strength, had lain on a bed of sickness for six months, during which he
+hovered between life and death. His wife never left his side during that
+time for more than a few minutes, and the physician was scarcely less
+faithful. At last the wasting fever vanished, and the husband and father
+came back to health and strength again.
+
+But he was in debt to the extent of $200, and he and his wife determined
+on the most rigid economy until the last penny should be paid.
+
+"If Fred keeps his health," said the cheery woman, "we shall be out of
+debt at the end of two years more. Won't you bring your friends and stay
+with us to-night?"
+
+This invitation was given with great cordiality, and Sam would have been
+glad to accept it, but he declined, through consideration for the brave
+couple, who would certainly be put to inconvenience by entertaining
+three visitors.
+
+Sam thanked her for her kindness, and, rising to go, drew back the door
+and remarked:
+
+"I notice you have a good rifle over the mantle; I don't see how your
+husband can get much time to use it."
+
+"He doesn't; it is I who shoot the game, which saves half the cost of
+food; but," added the plucky little woman, "there is one game which I am
+very anxious to bring down."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"_A bear._"
+
+"Do you know whether there are any in the woods?"
+
+"There is one, and I think more. My husband has seen it twice, and he
+took the gun with him when going to work, in the hope of gaining a
+chance to shoot it; but, when I caught sight of it on the edge of the
+clearing, he thought it best to leave the rifle for me to use."
+
+"Why are you so anxious to shoot the bear?" asked Sam.
+
+"Well, it isn't a very pleasant neighbor, and I have to keep little
+Tommy in the house all the time for fear the brute will seize him. Then,
+beside that, the bear has carried off some of Mr. Bailey's (that's the
+man my husband works for) pigs, and has so frightened his family that
+Mr. Bailey said he would give us twenty dollars for the hide of every
+bear we brought him."
+
+"I hope it may be your fortune to shoot all in the woods," said Sam, as
+he bade her good-day again, and passed out and across the clearing into
+the forest.
+
+"That's about the bravest woman I ever saw," said the lad to himself, as
+he moved thoughtfully in the direction of the limestone-rock, where it
+was agreed the three should meet to spend the night; "she ought to win,
+and if this crowd of bear hunters succeed in bagging the old fellow we
+will present him to her."
+
+The thought was a pleasing one to Sam, who walked a short way farther,
+when he added, with a grim smile, "But I don't think that bear will lose
+any night's sleep on account of being disturbed by _this_ crowd."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+BOWSER PROVES HIMSELF OF SOME USE.
+
+
+Sam Harper saw, from the position of the sun in the heavens, that he had
+stayed longer than he intended to in the cabin, and the short afternoon
+was drawing to a close.
+
+He therefore moved at a brisk walk for a quarter of a mile, Bowser
+trotting at his heels as though he thought such a laborious gait
+uncalled for; but, as the lad then observed that the large limestone was
+not far away, he slackened his pace, and sat down on a fallen tree to
+rest.
+
+"This is a queer sort of a hunt," he said to himself, "and I don't see
+what chance there is of any one of us three doing anything at all.
+Bowser isn't worth a copper to hunt with; all there was in him expended
+itself when he chased the buck and let it get away from him--hallo,
+Bowser, what's the matter with you?"
+
+The hound just then began acting as though he felt the slighting
+remarks of his master, and meant to make him sorry therefor.
+
+He uttered several sharp yelps and began circling around the fallen tree
+on which Sam was sitting. He went with what might be called a nervous
+gallop, frequently turning about and circumnavigating the lad and the
+log in the opposite direction.
+
+All the time he kept up his barking and demonstrations, now and then
+running up to Sam, galloping several paces away, and then looking toward
+him and barking again with great vigor.
+
+Sam watched his antics with amusement and interest.
+
+"He acts as though he wanted me to follow him from this spot, though I
+cannot understand why he wants me to do that, since he is so lazy he
+would be glad to lie down and stay here till morning."
+
+Studying the maneuvers of the hound, Sam became satisfied that the brute
+was seeking to draw him away from the fallen tree on which he was
+sitting.
+
+The dog became more excited every minute. He trotted back and forth,
+running up to his young master and then darting off again, looking
+appealingly toward Sam, who finally saw that his actions meant something
+serious.
+
+"I don't know why he wishes me to leave, but he has some reason for it,
+and I will try to find out."
+
+Sam slowly rose from the fallen oak tree on which he was sitting, and as
+he did so his cap fairly lifted from his head with terror.
+
+He caught the glint and scintillation in the sunlight of something on
+the ground on the other side of the trunk, and separated from him only
+by the breadth thereof, at the same instant that his ear detected the
+whirring rattle which told the fact that an immense rattlesnake had
+coiled itself therefor, and had just given its warning signal that it
+meant to strike.
+
+Sam Harper never made such a quick leap in all his life as he did, when
+he bounded several feet from the log, with a yell as if the ground
+beneath him had become suddenly red-hot.
+
+There is nothing on the broad earth which is held in such universal
+abhorrence as a snake, the sight of which sends a shiver of disgust and
+dread over nearly every one that looks upon it.
+
+When Sam sat down on the fallen tree, he was probably almost near enough
+for the coiled _crotalus_ to bury its fangs in him. It reared its head,
+and, without uttering its customary warning, most likely measured the
+intervening space with the purpose of striking.
+
+The instinct of Bowser at this juncture told him of the peril of his
+master, and he began his demonstrations, intended to draw him away from
+the spot. At the same time, his barking, and trotting back and forth,
+diverted the attention of the rattlesnake to the hound, and thereby
+prevented him striking the unsuspicious boy.
+
+It must have been, also, that during these few minutes the serpent
+vibrated his tail more than once, for the nature of the reptile leads
+him to do so; but the sound could not have been very loud, as it failed
+to attract the attention of Sam until he rose from the log and turned
+partly about.
+
+The boy moved around the head of the fallen tree, so as to place
+himself on the same side with the rattlesnake, and then he spent a
+minute or two in contemplating him at that safe distance.
+
+He was a large one, with sixteen rattles and a button. He lay coiled in
+several perfect rings, with his tail softly vibrating and his head
+thrown back, as if he expected his enemy to come nigh enough for him to
+bury his curved needle-like fangs in some portion of his body, injecting
+his poison, so deadly that nothing could have saved the boy from dying
+within a few minutes.
+
+The first natural feeling which comes over one when he sees a crawling
+snake is to kill it, and Sam Harper did not wait long before yielding to
+his inclination.
+
+Standing less than a rod distant, he brought his gun to his shoulder,
+and sighted at the head of the venomous reptile, which was held almost
+stationary, while the crimson tongue darted in and out as if it were a
+tiny spray of blood.
+
+The aim was true, and the head was shattered as though the cartridge
+had exploded within it. The body made a few furious writhings and
+struggles, and then became still.
+
+Sam viewed the ruin he had wrought for a minute or so, and then,
+appreciating the service his dog had wrought him, he turned and patted
+the animal.
+
+"You're a fine dog, Bowser, and I forgive you for being good for
+nothing."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+FACE TO FACE.
+
+
+Herbert Watrous, when he separated from his companions on that balmy
+afternoon in Indian summer, assumed a loftiness of bearing which was far
+from genuine.
+
+The fact was, he felt dissatisfied with himself, or rather with the
+rifle which his indulgent father had presented to him only a few weeks
+before.
+
+"I don't like the way the thing behaves," he said, as he stopped to
+examine it; "father paid one hundred and twenty-five dollars for it, and
+it was warranted the best. It's pretty hard to hit a deer a quarter of a
+mile off, but I ought to have brought down that squirrel which was only
+a hundred feet distant."
+
+He turned the weapon over and over in his hand, looked down the barrel,
+tried the hammer and trigger, carefully examined the wind-gauge and
+vernier rear-sights, but could not see that anything was out of order.
+
+"I'm afraid it was my fault," he said, with a sigh, "but it will never
+do to let the boys know it. I'll insist that I struck the buck, though
+I'm afraid I didn't."
+
+After going a little ways he noticed he was walking over a path which
+was not marked very distinctly; it was, in fact, the route which Mr.
+Fred Fowler, the industrious dweller in the log cabin, had worn for
+himself in going to and from his work.
+
+"That's lucky," said the lad, "for it's much easier traveling over a
+path like that than tramping among the trees, where you have to walk
+twice as far as there is any need of--confound it!"
+
+This impatient remark was caused by a protruding branch, which just then
+caught Herbert under the chin and almost lifted him off his feet.
+
+The boy was sensible enough to understand that his failure to display
+any good marksmanship was due to his own want of practice rather than to
+any fault of his piece.
+
+"That Nick Ribsam can beat me out of my boots; I never heard of such a
+thing as 'barking' a squirrel till he showed me how it is done, and he
+used a gun that is older than himself. Well, Nick was always smarter
+than other boys; he is younger than I, and I have taken sparring lessons
+of the best teachers in the country, while he never heard of such a
+thing as science in using his fists; but he just sailed into me that
+day, and the first thing I knew he had me down, and was banging himself
+on me so hard that I have never got over the flattening out--hallo!"
+
+A gray squirrel, flirting its bushy tail, whisked across the path in
+front of him that moment, scampered up a hickory and perched itself near
+the top, where it offered the best chance for a shot that one could
+wish.
+
+"Now I'll see what I can do," muttered Herbert, sighting at the saucy
+little fellow, who seemed to be ridiculing his purpose of reaching it
+with a bullet at such a height.
+
+The young hunter aimed with great care, pressed the trigger, and, as the
+sharp report rang through the woods, the squirrel came tumbling to the
+ground, with its skull shattered.
+
+Herbert Watrous was surprised and delighted, scarcely believing in his
+own success. He picked up the slain rodent and saw that its destruction
+had been caused by the bullet he fired.
+
+"That's business," he exclaimed, with a thrill of pride; "but why
+couldn't I shoot that way when Nick and Sam were looking at me? I know
+how the thing is done now, and when we get together I'll give them some
+lessons in marksmanship."
+
+He left the squirrel on the ground, but had not gone far when a new idea
+struck him and he came back, picked it up, and put it in his game-bag.
+
+"If I show them a squirrel, they can't help believing that I shot him."
+
+The serious question which Herbert had been discussing with himself,
+ever since being alone, was what he would do if he should happen to come
+upon the bear. He had not quite so much confidence in his gun as he had
+when he started out, though the shooting of the squirrel brought back
+considerable of his natural assurance.
+
+The conclusion he reached was that it would be just as well if he and
+bruin did not meet. Excellent as was his Remington, it was not a
+repeating rifle, and he was afraid that one shot, even if well aimed,
+would not be enough.
+
+"If I had a Henry, which shoots sixteen shots in sixteen seconds, I
+could fill him so full of lead that he couldn't run fast enough to
+overtake me if I didn't happen to kill him."
+
+But the Henry, which he desired so much, was beyond his reach, and it
+was idle to wish for it.
+
+Accordingly, he slung his gun over his shoulder in true sportsman style,
+and strode along the path until the greater part of the distance was
+passed, when, like his friends, he found a fallen tree at a convenient
+spot and sat down for a rest.
+
+Herbert, in his luxurious home in the city, had become accustomed to
+irregular hours, so that it was now the most natural thing in the world
+for him to fall asleep and not open his eyes until he shivered with
+cold and it was growing dark around him.
+
+He started up in no little surprise, and, recalling where he was,
+hastened along the path toward the camp.
+
+"They'll be worried almost to death about me," was his thought, "and I
+shouldn't wonder if they start out to hunt me up. Ah!"
+
+The reverberating report of a rifle came from the direction of the
+limestone rock, and he felt no doubt that it was meant as a signal to
+direct him.
+
+Herbert replied by firing his own gun in the air and shouting that he
+was coming. He did not forget to place another cartridge in his rifle,
+for, truth to tell, he was a little nervous over this lonely tramp
+through the woods at such a late hour.
+
+He listened, and heard the answering shout of Sam Harper, and,
+communication being thus established, Herbert held his peace and
+hastened forward as best he could in the faint moonlight.
+
+"I hope I won't meet any sort of game now," was the wish of the lad,
+"for I am in a hurry to join the boys--"
+
+Could he believe his eyes!
+
+He had hardly given expression to the wish, when a dark mass loomed up
+to sight directly ahead of him, and he plainly saw the gleam and glow of
+a pair of frightful eyes fixed upon him. He was sure, too, that he had
+heard the threatening growl of the monster, which might well believe he
+had the youngster in his power.
+
+"It's the bear, as sure as I'm alive!" gasped Herbert. "There's no
+getting away from him! Heaven save me from missing, for if my gun fails
+me now, it is all over! He won't give me time to climb a tree, and I
+_must_ shoot!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+THE "VACANT CHAIR."
+
+
+It is hard to imagine a more trying situation than that of Master
+Herbert Watrous, who, while walking along a path in the woods, saw by
+the faint moonlight what he believed to be the figure of an enormous
+black bear, sitting on its haunches, and waiting for him to move either
+forward or backward before springing upon him.
+
+He shuddered with fear, but, with a courage hardly to be expected in his
+case, he drew up his rifle, sighted as best he could, and fired
+point-blank at the brute, when no more than a rod separated the two.
+
+It was impossible to miss, even with such an unsteady aim, and the lad
+had not a particle of doubt that he had hit him; but had he inflicted a
+mortal wound?
+
+Without waiting an unnecessary second, Herbert flung out the shell of
+the cartridge and placed a new one in the breech. His hands trembled so
+that he could hardly keep from dropping it, but he succeeded better than
+would have been supposed.
+
+Once more the gun was raised, and the leaden missile was buried in the
+dark object.
+
+But it did not stir, and the amazed lad was transfixed. What did it
+mean?
+
+"I'll give him another, and if that don't answer--"
+
+From out the gloom in front he discerned a figure advancing upon him,
+but a second glance showed that it was a man instead of a wild animal.
+
+"Hallo, my friend? what are you firing at?"
+
+The voice was such a cheery one that the courage of Herbert instantly
+came back, and it may be said that he was never gladder in all his life
+to see a person.
+
+"Why, I thought that was a wild animal--that is, a bear, in the path in
+front of me; what is it?"
+
+The man laughed heartily.
+
+"The path makes a little bend right there, so it is not in, but beside
+the path; it is an oak stump on which you have been wasting your lead."
+
+"But those glaring eyes--"
+
+"That is fox-fire, which does look odd in the night-time."
+
+"But I heard it growling."
+
+"Be assured it was all imagination, my young friend; there is no bear or
+wild animal near us--at least he hasn't shown himself yet."
+
+"Well, I'm blamed glad to hear it, for there isn't much fun in hunting
+wild beasts when it is too dark to aim well: may I ask how it is you
+happen along here without a gun?"
+
+"I live only a little ways off, and, if you will go back with me, I will
+be glad to entertain you over night."
+
+"I'm obliged to you, but I have two friends who are expecting me, up by
+the rock yonder."
+
+"I judged you belonged to the party, but there is only one of them
+there, unless the other has come since I left. The one named Harper, who
+called at my house this afternoon, is there, and has started his camp
+fire. He is impatient for the others to come in, and asked me to tell
+you, if we met, that he particularly wished you to 'hurry up your
+cakes'--I suppose you know what that means."
+
+"I do, and will bid you good-night."
+
+They exchanged pleasant greetings, and separated, each to pursue his own
+way.
+
+Herbert was anxious to join his friends; for the fact that he had fired
+into a stump, under the belief that it was a bear, was no proof that the
+dreaded quadruped was not somewhere in the neighborhood.
+
+As the path, which he was able to keep without difficulty, led by the
+rock where the three lads were to meet, he had not gone far when he
+caught the starlike twinkle of a point of light, which told him he was
+not far from camp.
+
+"Hallo, Sam, are you there?" called out Herbert, while yet a
+considerable distance off.
+
+"Yes. What makes you so late?" was the impatient response and question.
+
+Without pausing to reply, Herbert hurried forward and a few minutes
+later joined Sam Harper, who had a large fire going, and had broiled a
+squirrel and a rabbit, both of which were in fine condition.
+
+"Where's Nick?" asked Sam, as soon as he saw the youth was alone.
+
+"How should I know anything about him? I haven't seen him since we
+parted."
+
+"It's mighty queer, any way you may look at it; Nick is always the most
+prompt to keep any bargain he made, and I haven't seen anything of him
+for hours. He ought to have been here the very first."
+
+"Have you signaled to him?"
+
+"I have fired off my gun, and shouted and whistled till my cheeks ache,
+and I haven't had the first show of an answer."
+
+The manner in which these disheartening words were uttered showed that
+Sam Harper was ill at ease, not so much over the continued absence of
+Nick, as from his utter silence. It was fully understood by all, that,
+if anything happened to either one, he was to signal immediately to the
+others.
+
+Neither Herbert nor Sam had heard Nick's rifle, though it might have
+been discharged without recognition by them.
+
+Herbert had been asleep so long that he could have missed the report
+very readily, while Sam was so far from Nick that the sound of his gun
+could have been mistaken for that fired by some wandering hunter,
+unknown to either.
+
+Every few minutes, Sam halloed or whistled, after Nick's favorite manner
+of signaling, and then the two bent their heads and listened for the
+answer, which came not.
+
+The broiled game remained untasted, for Sam's appetite was suspended,
+and Herbert refused to eat while his companion was in such mental
+trouble.
+
+"There's no use of talking," finally exclaimed Sam, unable to repress
+his uneasiness, "something has gone wrong with Nick, and I'm bound to
+find out what it is."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+HUNTING A BUCK.
+
+
+It will be remembered that when Nick Ribsam left his companions, early
+in the afternoon, it was with the resolution to find out whether the
+showy shot made by Herbert Watrous at the buck, had done the execution
+he claimed for it.
+
+This forced him to make a much longer detour than did Sam Harper, and,
+as he was obliged to move with great caution, he found no time to sit
+down and rest or sleep.
+
+The more he reflected on the exploit which Herbert attempted, the more
+did he doubt it.
+
+"I suppose they hit a target a mile off, as Sam told me; but that is
+when they know the exact distance. No person can hit a deer a quarter of
+a mile away, unless he does it by chance. Herbert proved he can't shoot
+anything close to him, and it isn't likely he hit the deer by accident,
+for such accidents don't happen unless it's a person that you don't
+want to hurt."
+
+But he had started out to find the truth of the matter, and it was in
+accordance with his disposition to do so, if it was possible.
+
+Nick knew that if the buck which they had seen was anywhere in the
+neighborhood, it was necessary to proceed with extreme caution to avoid
+giving alarm. The wonder was that it had shown itself after the fright
+caused by the dog.
+
+The drowsy autumn afternoon was well advanced when the boy saw, from his
+surroundings, that he was close to the spot where the deer stood when
+Herbert fired at it with his long-range rifle. There was the rock, but
+the animal was invisible.
+
+Just beyond was an oak which had been upturned by some wrenching tornado
+or storm. The roots protruded upward and from the sides, the dirt still
+clinging to them, so that the bottom spread out like a fan.
+
+The base of the trunk lay flat on the ground, but the branching limbs
+supported the top to that extent that it was raised five or six feet
+from the earth. Consequently, it sloped away in an incline from the
+crested summit to the base.
+
+Such a sight is not unusual in any forest, for it is the general fashion
+of trees to fall that way; but Nick was struck by the evident fact that,
+although the oak was uprooted, as it is termed, yet enough connection
+with the ground remained to afford nourishment, and to keep life within
+it.
+
+He started toward it, but had moved only a few steps when a slight
+rustling in the undergrowth arrested his attention. Stopping short he
+looked about him, and, with an amazement which can hardly be imagined,
+saw the buck within fifty feet of him.
+
+He was in a clump of undergrowth, and was browsing on some tender
+shoots. His position was such that his side was toward Nick, who first
+caught sight of his antlers above the bushes: and it was a remarkable
+thing that he did not detect the approach of the young hunter, despite
+the caution he used.
+
+The sight was so unexpected that Nick was taken aback, and had a spasm
+of that nervous affection which sometimes seizes the inexperienced
+hunter, and is known as "buck fever."
+
+Knowing that the game would bound away with the speed of the wind the
+instant he scented danger, the lad brought up his rifle and pointed at
+him.
+
+Poor Nick shook as if he had a chill; it was impossible to control his
+nerves; but, aiming as best he could, he fired. The deer was "hit hard,"
+though not so hard as young Ribsam meant and most ardently desired.
+
+Dropping the breech of his gun, Nick looked to see the result of his
+shot, and found it amazing to a startling degree.
+
+The buck, which was a noble fellow, stopped browsing, and, with his head
+thrown high in air, looked around to learn where his assailant was.
+Catching sight of the staring lad, the animal emitted a furious sniff
+and charged upon him at full speed.
+
+This is a most unusual thing for a deer to do, though many a hunter has
+been killed by a wounded buck or moose, who has turned upon and attacked
+him with the fury of a tiger.
+
+[Illustration: "He turned on his heel and ran with might and main for
+the fallen tree."]
+
+Nick Ribsam thought it very singular, but he thought it very alarming
+as well, and, without waiting to watch matters further, he turned on his
+heel and ran with might and main for the fallen tree.
+
+The lusty youngster was a good runner, but the buck made three times as
+much speed as he "went for him," with head lowered like a charging bull.
+
+Nick had to think fast, but fast as he thought he couldn't see how the
+fallen oak was to offer him refuge against the fury of the animal, and,
+unless it did so, he was in a bad predicament.
+
+It was impossible to reach any tree in time to climb out of reach, as
+Nellie did when pursued by the bear, and the highest portion of the
+prostrate trunk would not protect him from the antlers of the savage
+buck.
+
+There was no use for the empty rifle as it seemed, and Nick was on the
+point of throwing it away, when it occurred to him that it might still
+serve as a weapon of defense.
+
+"I will club it and see what can be done."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+HUNTED BY A BUCK.
+
+
+Glancing over his shoulder, Nick Ribsam kept informed of the movements
+of his fierce foe, who was certainly carrying things with a hurricane
+rush.
+
+Finding there was no getting away from him, Nick, just as he reached the
+fallen tree, whirled around and, grasping his rifle by the barrel, swung
+the stock back over his shoulder and poised himself for the blow, which
+he believed must decide his own fate.
+
+The boy made a formidable-looking picture; but it was all lost on the
+buck, which did not halt nor slacken his pace.
+
+It was a terrifying sight as he plunged toward the lad with lowered head
+and glowering front, for the deer was an exceptionally large and
+powerful one, and he meant to kill the individual that had sent the
+bullet into his side, and from which the red blood was already
+streaming.
+
+It may be said just here, that Nick Ribsam no longer doubted the
+failure of the long-range shot of Herbert Watrous.
+
+The imperiled lad drew a deep respiration, poised himself on his
+advanced foot, and, swinging to one side, with a view of avoiding the
+full force of the charge, he brought down the stock of his gun with the
+utmost strength he could command.
+
+It descended with great power--so far as a ten-year-old boy is
+concerned--but it was not sufficient to throw the buck off his base nor
+to interfere with his plan of procedure.
+
+He struck the lad with tremendous force, sending the gun flying from his
+grasp and knocking Nick fully a dozen feet. Never in all his life had
+the boy received such a terrific shock, which drove the breath from his
+body and sent him spinning, as it seemed, through twenty yards of space.
+
+Poor Nick believed half his bones were broken and that he was mortally
+hurt; but the result of the charge was most extraordinary.
+
+As the antlers of the buck struck him he was thrown like a limp dummy
+toward the fallen tree, and, in reality, his greatest peril was
+therefrom. Had he been driven with full momentum against the solid
+trunk, he would have been killed as if smitten by a lightning stroke.
+
+But his feet were entangled in some way and he fell headlong, his
+forehead within a few inches of the bark, and his head itself was driven
+under the trunk, which at that point was perhaps a foot above the
+ground.
+
+Instinctively the nearly senseless lad did the only thing that could
+save him. He crawled under the trunk, so that it stood like a roof over
+him.
+
+His head was toward the base, and he pushed along until the lessening
+space would not permit him to go further.
+
+Thus he lay parallel with the uprooted tree, his feet at a point where
+the bark almost touched his heels, the space growing less and less
+toward his shoulders, until the back of his head rested against the
+shaggy bark and his nose touched the leaves.
+
+He had scarcely done this when he heard a thud at his elbow: it was
+made by the knife-like hoofs of the buck, who, rearing on his hind
+legs, gathered his two front ones close together and brought them down
+with such force that, had they fallen on the body of the lad, as was
+intended, they would have cut into him like the edge of a powerfully
+driven ax.
+
+As it was, the shielding tree trunk prevented it, and, grazing the bark,
+they were driven into the yielding earth half a foot deep.
+
+The buck immediately reared and repeated the terrible blow several
+times, missing the body of the lad by what may be called a hair's
+breadth.
+
+The animal was in a fury, and, believing his foe was at his mercy, he
+showed him none.
+
+Nick heard the first thump of the sharp hoofs as they cut their way into
+the earth, and then his head seemed to spin, as though he had been
+whirled around with inconceivable velocity; innumerable stars danced
+before his eyes, he felt as if shooting through space, and then
+consciousness left him.
+
+The buck could know nothing of this, and, had he known it, his actions
+would not have been affected. He continued his rearing and plunging
+until he saw he was inflicting no injury. Then he stopped, backed off
+several paces, and, lowering his head, tried to dislodge the lad from
+his place of refuge.
+
+But the breadth of his antlers prevented success, which would have
+placed Nick just where he could finish him. The oak barred his progress,
+stopping the head and horns when they were almost against the body.
+
+Then the buck reared and struck again, trying all manner of maneuvers
+which his instinct suggested, but providentially none of them succeeded.
+
+All this time Nick Ribsam, who had been so badly bruised, was oblivious
+of the efforts against his life. Had he possessed his faculties, he
+could not have done anything more for his protection than he did, by
+lying motionless, extended along and below the trunk of the oak.
+
+But the lusty, rugged nature of the lad soon asserted itself, and he
+began rallying from the shock. A reaction gradually set in, and slowly
+his senses returned.
+
+It was a considerable time, however, before he realized where he was
+and what had befallen him. His head was still ringing, as though the
+clangor of a hundred anvils were sounding in his ears, and, when he drew
+a deep breath, a pain, as if made by a knife, was in his side.
+
+He listened, but heard nothing of his enemy. Then, with a great labor
+and more suffering, he pushed himself a few inches backward, so as to
+give some freedom to his body and to enable him to move his head.
+
+Turning his face, he peered out on his right: the buck was not visible
+in that direction.
+
+Then he did the same toward the left: his enemy was invisible on that
+side also.
+
+"He is gone," said the lad to himself, still afraid to venture from the
+shielding trunk that had been the means of saving him from the fury of
+the enraged deer.
+
+Nick believed he was close at hand, waiting for him to make a move that
+would give another chance to assault him.
+
+After several more minutes, the lad hitched farther backward, so that he
+was able to raise his head a few inches. This extended his field of
+observation, and, with a feeling of inexpressible relief, he still
+failed to catch sight of the game.
+
+"I guess he got discouraged and left," said Nick, startled at the
+evidences of the buck's wrath so near him.
+
+Finally the lad backed clear out from under the tree, and climbed to his
+feet; it was climbing in every sense, for he nearly cried with pain
+several times, and, still fearful that he had been seriously injured, he
+examined himself as best he could.
+
+A few minutes convinced him that none of his bones was broken, although
+he afterward declared that he suspected his head had been fractured.
+
+He now looked about for his gun and found it within a short distance,
+much scratched by the hard treatment it had received, but without any
+real injury.
+
+Throwing the weapon over his shoulder, he started in the direction of
+the appointed rendezvous, and, as he did so, observed that it was
+already grown dark in the woods. Night had come, and he had quite a long
+distance to walk.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE.
+
+
+But Nick Ribsam was full of grit, and, though every step he took caused
+him pain, he persevered with that grim resolution that was a part of his
+nature from his very birth.
+
+After walking some distance he found the soreness and stiffness leaving
+him, and he straightened up with something of his natural vim and
+elasticity of spirits.
+
+"There's one thing certain," he added, recalling his encounter with the
+buck, "I didn't have any one to help me out of that scrape, except the
+One who always helps him that helps himself; but I never wanted a friend
+more than then, and, if it hadn't been for that oak, it would have been
+the last of Nicholas Ribsam."
+
+"There is another thing I have learned," he added, with that glimmer of
+humor which was sure to show itself, "I know considerable more than I
+did yesterday; I have a good idea of how it feels when a wounded buck
+_raises_ you, and, after this, I won't shoot one of the creatures unless
+I'm sure of making a better shot than I did a while ago--hallo!"
+
+Well might he utter the last exclamation, for at that moment he came
+upon the dead body of the buck, lying as he had fallen on the earth,
+when at last he succumbed to the wound received at the hands of Nick
+himself.
+
+The boy stopped to examine it, for he was much impressed by the
+discovery.
+
+"That came very near ending in the death of us both: nothing but the oak
+saved me. I wonder whether I am going right."
+
+He raised his head from his examination, and looked about him, but he
+was without the means of judging whether he was following the proper
+direction or not. When leaving the scene of his encounter with the deer,
+he had taken the course that seemed to be right, without pausing until
+he could make himself certain in the matter.
+
+This is pretty sure, in a majority of cases, to lead one astray, but it
+so happened with Nick that he headed in a bee-line for the camp, where
+the impatient Sam Harper was awaiting him.
+
+But the error came afterward: he toiled forward without any guide, and
+soon began to turn to the left, so that he was in reality moving on the
+circumference of a large circle, without suspecting how much he wandered
+from the true course.
+
+This peculiar mistake is made by many who are lost in the wilderness,
+and is supposed to be due to the fact that everybody is either right or
+left handed, instead of being ambidextrous as we all ought to be.
+
+One side of the body being stronger than the other, we unconsciously
+exert the limb on that side the most, and swerve from a straight line,
+unless we have something to direct in the shape of a landmark or
+guiding-post.
+
+It was not until Nick had gone a long ways out of the right course that
+he suspected his error: the appearance of the camp fire which Sam Harper
+had kindled, was what led him to stop and make the best investigation he
+could.
+
+There was little else he could appeal to, and he was in doubt as to
+whether that had not been kindled by some other party; but fortunately,
+while he was debating the matter, he caught the faint but distinct
+signal of his friend, who was on the point of starting out to look for
+him.
+
+Nick replied, and in the course of half an hour had joined Sam and
+Herbert by the fire.
+
+They were relieved beyond expression to see the figure of the sturdy
+little fellow, as he emerged from the gloom, and took his seat around
+the camp fire.
+
+They noticed that he limped, and knew something unusual must have taken
+place to delay him. He had the most attentive of listeners when he
+related his dangerous encounter with the buck, which came so nigh ending
+his life.
+
+But, happily, he had come out without any serious injury, and the lads
+attacked their supper with the keenest of appetites.
+
+"The reason the buck did not kill you," said Herbert, "was because he
+was disabled by the wound I gave him."
+
+"He was struck by one bullet only, and that one was mine," said Nick,
+who saw no sense in deferring to the absurd claims of the youth.
+
+"Possibly not, but we shall have to examine his carcass to make sure of
+that."
+
+"I don't believe we shall have much time to look after dead deer," said
+Sam, "for I believe we are in the neighborhood of the very bear we're
+looking for."
+
+His friends turned toward him for an explanation of this remark, which
+was uttered with all seriousness.
+
+"Bowser has been acting very queer for the last half-hour."
+
+"I think he has acted queer all day," observed Nick.
+
+"I did not consider him of much account until he saved me from the
+rattlesnake this afternoon; after that, I'm ready to believe he's got a
+good deal more sense than you are willing to think."
+
+Then Sam told his story, and added that the hound had left the vicinity
+of the fire several times, and, going some distance in the woods, had
+come back, giving utterance to a peculiar whine. At the same time he
+looked up in the face of his master with much the same expression as he
+did when seeking to warn him of his danger from the poisonous serpent.
+
+"There he goes now!" suddenly exclaimed Sam; "just watch him!"
+
+Bowser had been stretched out near enough to the fire to receive much of
+its warmth, and appeared to be asleep. All at once he threw up his head
+and sniffed the air, as though he scented something; then he rose, with
+a low whine, and trotted straight out in the gloom.
+
+The lads listened attentively for some sound from him, but all remained
+still. At the end of ten minutes he came trotting to view again, and
+walked straight up to his master, looked up in his face, wagging his
+tail, and whined again.
+
+"You can depend on it," said Sam, "he has made some discovery, though I
+have no idea what it is."
+
+"Let's follow him and find out."
+
+It was Nick Ribsam who made the proposal; the others were inclined to
+hold back, but the plucky little fellow insisted, and it was agreed that
+Bowser's secret should be learned by keeping him company to the spot
+which he visited.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK.
+
+
+The three boys had scarcely agreed to the proposition to follow the
+hound, when Bowser, as if he understood their intention, rose from the
+ground where he had been lying, close to the camp fire, looked sharply
+out in the gloom of the surrounding woods, and then moved along the same
+course he had taken several times before.
+
+He did not trot, but walked with a deliberate gait, as if he felt the
+importance of being the leader of such a party.
+
+"It must be a wild animal," said Sam, in an undertone, "or Bowser
+wouldn't act that way."
+
+"It's the bear, of course; see that your guns are ready, and when you
+fire be sure you don't miss," warned Herbert.
+
+An idea suddenly occurred to Nick Ribsam.
+
+"All wild animals are afraid of fire: let's each take a torch to keep
+him off."
+
+The others eagerly caught up a blazing brand and strode forward with
+more confidence than ever.
+
+Herbert Watrous, who was sensible that he had not made such an
+exhibition before the others as he desired, placed himself at the head
+of the little company.
+
+He hardly would have done this, had he not been certain that the flaming
+brands would act as a shield to keep away the wild animal, whatever its
+nature.
+
+Each lad found it a little awkward to carry his loaded and cocked rifle
+in one hand and the flaming stick of wood in the other. It cannot be
+said there was any special difficulty in the task itself, but if a
+crisis came the boy would have to surrender one of his weapons.
+
+The young hunters formed a picturesque group as they moved forward in
+Indian file, each holding a burning torch above his head and swinging it
+so as to keep the blaze going, while his gun was trailed in the other
+hand.
+
+The hound Bowser was at the head, Herbert Watrous next, Sam Harper
+followed, and Nick Ribsam, who still limped slightly, brought up the
+rear.
+
+The hound showed an intelligence which would have been surprising but
+for his action respecting the rattlesnake. He kept on a slow walk, so as
+not to leave his friends, and now and then looked at them, as if to make
+sure they were not trying to shrink from an important duty.
+
+"Keep your torches going," called out Herbert, in a husky whisper, as he
+swung his own so vigorously that a large piece dropped off, and, falling
+on his foot, caused him to leap up with an exclamation of affright.
+
+The fact was, they had gone no more than a hundred feet from the camp
+fire when Herbert began to feel that he had not shown enough care in
+picking out his torch, for the blaze was feeble, and, in spite of
+continued nursing, showed a tendency to collapse altogether.
+
+"Keep close to me, boys," he said, waiting for Sam to come still nearer,
+"for I don't like the way this torch is behaving; I believe it is going
+out altogether, and I think I'll get a better--"
+
+"_Look out! there he is now!_" exclaimed Sam, in no little excitement.
+
+As he uttered the warning words, Bowser turned squarely about and ran
+back to where his master had halted with the smoking torch, and crouched
+at his feet, whining and appealing for protection against some enemy.
+
+Just then a savage sniff was heard, followed instantly by the sound of
+hoofs, as the unknown animal charged upon Herbert Watrous, who was
+whirling his half-expired torch around his head with such swiftness that
+it made a ring of fire, similar to those which all boys delight to look
+upon during the pyrotechnic displays on the Fourth of July.
+
+Herbert was so impressed with the importance of this action, that he
+threw all his energy in it, stooping down and rising on his tip-toes
+with the motion of the torch, and grunting hard and with much
+regularity, as he always did when exerting himself with unusual vigor.
+
+He caught the warning cry of Sam and the rattle of the hoofs at the same
+instant.
+
+"_Shoot him! Shoot him!_" he shouted to his friends, who could not gain
+the view of the beast necessary to make the shot safe for Herbert
+himself.
+
+The savage creature, from some reason, probably because the torch was
+less formidable, made for the city youth, who was not aware of his
+danger until too late.
+
+The brute went directly between his outspread feet, and, lifting him on
+his back, carried him several paces, when Herbert, his gun, torch, and
+himself, mixed up in great confusion, rolled off backward, turning a
+partial somersault and landing solidly on his head, his gun going off in
+the confusion and adding to it.
+
+Sam Harper threw down his torch, so as to use his rifle, but he saw
+Herbert's dilemma and waited the chance to shoot without danger of
+harming him; but the partial extinguishment of his own torch, and the
+total blotting out of Herbert's, rendered the risk still greater.
+
+While he stood, with gun partly raised and hand on the trigger, Herbert
+rolled off, but Sam had not time to catch the fact when the beast shot
+between his legs, and he felt himself lifted off his feet and fairly
+whizzing through the air.
+
+Nick Ribsam's torch was burning brightly and illuminated the whole
+scene. He was in a stooping position, holding his flaming brand so he
+could see everything, and he was laughing so hard that he could hardly
+keep from falling to the ground from weakness.
+
+He had recognized the animal, which they had held in such terror, as a
+large hog that had doubtless wandered in the woods so long with his
+mates, eating the acorns and nuts fallen from the trees, that he was
+half wild and ready to attack any one who came near him.
+
+The hog was a lank, bony fellow, with great strength and swiftness of
+gait, and, like his fiercer brother the wild boar of Europe, he
+possessed undoubted courage.
+
+"Well, if that ain't the funniest sight I ever saw!" roared Nick,
+bending himself almost double with laughter; "we thought it was a bear,
+and I guess Herbert and Sam are sure it is a royal Bengal tiger or mad
+elephant--"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+WAS IT A JOKE?
+
+
+At that instant, Nick Ribsam felt himself suddenly lifted in air and
+spinning forward with great speed on the back of the vigorous hog, which
+plunged between his rather short legs.
+
+The astounded lad instantly stopped laughing, and, dropping his gun and
+torch, grasped at something to sustain himself against the peril, the
+nature of which he could hardly guess.
+
+The hog had struck him from the front, so that Nick was seated in
+reverse position on his back. The object which he grasped was the spiral
+tail of the animal, but, before he could make his grip certain, the
+porker swerved so suddenly to one side that Nick rolled off and bumped
+against a tree.
+
+His body was not hurt to one half the extent that his feelings were, for
+he heard Sam Harper roaring with mirth, loud enough to be heard half a
+mile; and as Nick hastily clambered upon his feet, he was certain
+Herbert's cracked laugh was also rending the night air.
+
+The porker, having made the round and paid his tribute to each member of
+the company in turn, whisked off into the woods, with a triumphant
+grunt, as if to say, "I guess you folks and your dog will let me alone
+now."
+
+As soon as the boys found their guns, and restored two of the torches to
+a blaze, they looked at each other and gave way to their unrestrained
+mirth for several minutes before they could speak so as to be
+understood.
+
+Never had a pompous expedition ended more ignobly: they had started out
+to attack a fierce black bear, and unexpectedly were overturned by a
+large-sized pig, which resented the interference with his slumber.
+
+Some naturalists maintain that many animals possess a sense of the
+humorous, and it looked as though the sluggish Bowser enjoyed the joke
+as much as did the victims; for, when the latter made their way back to
+the camp fire, they saw the hound stretched out close to the warm blaze
+with his head between his paws and apparently asleep; but, watching him
+closely, he was seen to open one of his eyes, just a little ways, and,
+surveying them a minute, he closed it to open again a minute later.
+
+No animal could have said more plainly:
+
+"I've got the joke on you this time, boys, and I'm laughing so hard that
+I can't keep my eyes open."
+
+"I tell you there is a good deal more in the heads of brutes than many
+of us think," said Nick Ribsam, after he had studied the actions of the
+hound; "I believe he wanted to make us believe there was some sort of
+game out there so as to play the fool with us."
+
+"Do you think he foresaw the trick of the hog?" asked Herbert, who was
+rubbing his bruised elbows and knees.
+
+"That would have been impossible, for we could not have foreseen it
+ourselves if we had arranged the joke; he simply meant to mislead us,
+and then we acted the fool for _his_ amusement."
+
+It looked very much as if Nick Ribsam was correct in his supposition,
+and that Bowser enjoyed even more than they the shrewd trick he had
+played on them.
+
+"I suppose there are several hundred hogs wandering through the woods,"
+said Nick, "picking up acorns and nuts that have fallen off the trees,
+and making a good living at it."
+
+"Yes, lots of them have been running wild for weeks and months," added
+Sam, "and when their owners try to gather them in, there will be
+trouble, for it doesn't take hogs long to become savage."
+
+"It didn't take that hog very long, I'm sure," observed Herbert, sitting
+down with care upon the ground.
+
+"But how was it there was but _one_?" asked Sam.
+
+"There wasn't need of any more than one," said Nick; "he had no trouble
+in doing as he pleased with us."
+
+"But hogs go in droves, and you wouldn't be apt to find one of them by
+himself in the woods."
+
+"There were others close by, for I am sure I heard them; but it is a
+little curious that they didn't attack us, for hogs don't know as much
+as dogs, and they had no reason to feel that one of their number was
+more than enough for us."
+
+"I don't see the use in talking about it," remarked Herbert, who gently
+tipped his body to the other side, so as to rest differently on the
+ground; "I am sure I never was so upset in all my life."
+
+"Nor were we," added Nick; "hogs are queer creatures; if a drove finds
+it is going to be attacked by an enemy, the boars will place themselves
+on the outside, with the sows and younger ones within, so as to offer
+the best resistance to the bear or whatever it is, and they will fight
+with great fury. In a wild state, they can run fast, and when the tusks
+of the boars get to be six or eight inches long, as they do in time,
+they are afraid of no animal in the woods."
+
+"How is that?" asked Herbert, again shifting his position with great
+care, but feeling interested in what the lad was telling.
+
+"I suppose because they haven't any reason to be afraid. With those
+frightful tusks curving upward from the lower jaw, and with a strength
+like Sampson in their necks, they can rip up a bear, a tiger, or any
+animal that dare attack them."
+
+"I s'pose they're very strong, Nick?" continued Herbert.
+
+"So strong, indeed, that one of the wild boars in Germany has run under
+the horse of a hunter, and, lifting both clear from the ground, trotted
+fifty yards with them, before the struggling animal could get himself
+loose."
+
+Herbert looked fixedly at the narrator for a moment, then solemnly
+reached out his hand to Sam, for him to shake over the last astounding
+statement, which was altogether too much for him to credit.
+
+Sam Harper grasped the hand and wabbled it once or twice, but said:
+
+"It's as true as gospel, Herbert; I don't know anything about it myself,
+but when Nick Ribsam tells you anything for truth, you can make up your
+mind it is the truth and nothing else."
+
+The friends lay for a long time by the camp fire, talking over the
+events of the day, while Nick Ribsam gave them many wonderful facts
+concerning the various wild animals found in different parts of the
+world. The lad read everything he could obtain relating to natural
+history, and his strong memory retained nearly all the facts.
+
+But, as the night wore on, all three began to feel drowsy, and they made
+ready to sleep.
+
+The arrangements for doing this were not so perfect as they could wish.
+Not one of them had anything like a blanket, and, though it was the time
+of the balmy Indian summer, the nights were quite cold.
+
+There was an abundance of wood around them, and they gathered all they
+could possibly need. Then they heaped up a big lot of leaves and lay
+down as close to each other as possible.
+
+This was the best that could be done; but it gave a great advantage to
+the one who lay in the middle, as the warmth of the others kept him
+comfortable, while they were forced to turn one side to the cold air.
+
+By changing about, however, they got along quite well until past
+midnight, when the pile of leaves caught fire and caused them to leap to
+their feet with so much vigor that the outside ones got sufficiently
+warm to last till daylight.
+
+The friends were glad enough when it began growing red in the east. They
+rose early, washed their hands and faces in the clear brook, which
+flowed near at hand, using their handkerchiefs for towels. Then a rabbit
+and couple of squirrels were shot, and, with the same wolf-like
+appetites, they made a nourishing and substantial meal.
+
+The brook, from which they took a draught of clear, strengthening water,
+lay a short distance to the south of their camp, that is, between it and
+Shark Pond, which they passed the day before.
+
+The three were standing by this stream, considering the best thing to be
+done to get on the track of the bear, when Sam Harper suddenly stopped
+talking and looked fixedly at a point a few yards away. Then he walked
+slowly to it, without removing his gaze, stooped down, and attentively
+scrutinized the ground.
+
+Without speaking, he turned and beckoned to the others to approach.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+THE TRAIL OF THE BEAR.
+
+
+The boys did as directed, and, also stooping down, saw in the soft earth
+near the water the prints of the feet of a large animal, such tracks
+indeed as could have been made only by the bear.
+
+All agreed that it was that much desired and yet dreaded animal, and
+that it was more than likely he had moved to the southward, so that in
+point of fact the hunters and hunted had exchanged relative positions.
+
+Sam sternly directed the attention of Bowser to the trail, and ordered
+him to "look into the matter."
+
+The hound sniffed the ground, ran back and forth several times, and then
+gazed up at his master, as if awaiting further orders.
+
+"I won't stand any such nonsense as that," said his impatient master,
+grasping him by the baggy skin at the back of the neck and giving him
+several sharp blows with a switch.
+
+Bowser yelped and kicked lustily, and, when released, placed his nose to
+the ground, emitted several more cries, and then trotted off, taking a
+direction leading almost directly back over the path Herbert had
+followed the day before.
+
+"He's on the trail _this_ time," said Sam, with restored admiration for
+the hound, "and if he does well, I'll consider him a great deal better
+hunting dog than he has shown himself yet."
+
+In fact, Bowser acted as if anxious to redeem his tainted reputation,
+and, trotting quite briskly, was soon out of sight among the trees, the
+lads hurrying after him.
+
+A few minutes later, the yelping of the hound ceased, but the young
+hunters kept up their pursuit, the fresh trail made by the dog being
+easily followed, as he turned over and rumpled the abundant leaves on
+the ground, so that it was plainly discernible.
+
+"I wonder why he has stopped barking," said Sam.
+
+"I guess he has got tired," was the rather original reply of Herbert,
+who was ready to give information, whether reliable or not.
+
+"Bowser seems to have a way of doing things which is different from
+other dogs--hallo! there he goes again."
+
+The resounding cries of the hound echoed through the woods, seemingly at
+a distance of a half mile, and a little to the east of south.
+
+"I guess he has treed him!" said Herbert, striking into a trot, the
+others doing the same, and very much doubting whether the odd dog had
+ever treed anything in his life.
+
+A short run only was necessary, when, by stopping and listening, they
+learned that the hound was standing instead of running. If he had been a
+regular hunting dog, this fact would have proven that he had brought the
+game to bay.
+
+As respecting Bowser, it was uncertain what it signified.
+
+It did not take the lads long to hurry over the intervening space, when
+they came upon the hound, who was standing under a large red oak,
+looking up and barking with all the vigor he possessed.
+
+"He has treed the bear, I do believe!" exclaimed Sam Harper, breaking
+ahead of the others in his excitement.
+
+Nick Ribsam also thought the indications pointed that way.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+"HELP! HELP!"
+
+
+The belief that they were close upon the bear threw the boys into a
+flutter of excitement, and they walked slowly as they approached the
+tree, up which the hound was barking.
+
+As has been stated, it was what was known as the red oak, very large,
+with branching limbs at no great distance from the ground.
+
+"_I see him!--I see him!_" whispered Herbert, just as he caught his foot
+in a root and pitched forward.
+
+"Where?"
+
+Herbert picked up his hat, muttered something impatient, and then looked
+upward again, and found he was mistaken.
+
+"I thought that big knot up there was the bear," replied the city youth,
+in meeker tones.
+
+The boys slowly circled about the tree again and again, back and forth,
+scrutinizing trunk, limbs, and twigs so closely that a cat could not
+have concealed itself from view.
+
+The result was disheartening: there was no bear in sight.
+
+"May be the trunk is hollow," suggested Sam, "and he has gone into a
+hole."
+
+They struck against the bark, but the sound showed that the wood beneath
+was solid. Besides, an examination of the bark itself failed to bring to
+view the scratching and abrasion that would have been made by a bear in
+going up, and especially in coming down, the trunk.
+
+Bowser, beyond all question, had been "barking up the wrong tree."
+
+"You're a pretty hunting dog, ain't you?" sneered Sam Harper, addressing
+the canine; "come here, that I may give you another switching."
+
+But Bowser wheeled about, and, taking the trail again, trotted to the
+southward, his nose close to the ground, while he bayed at intervals of
+a few seconds.
+
+"The bear ain't far off, you can make up your mind to that," said
+Herbert, still all excitement; "if we keep close to the dog, we'll run
+upon the other pretty soon."
+
+In fact, the youthful Watrous showed such an interest in the sport that
+he forgot the danger which always accompanies it. Had he stopped a
+minute or so to reflect, he would have seen that now was the time for
+the three to stick together, for never was there likely to be an
+occasion which would demonstrate more certainly that in union there is
+strength.
+
+Forgetful of this, Herbert sped forward so fast that in a brief while he
+vanished from view.
+
+Nick shouted to him not to hasten so fast, but the young gentleman was
+not to be checked in that style, and he kept up his flight with
+undiminished speed.
+
+"Let him go, then," said Nick, dropping down to a rapid walk, in which
+Sam joined him; "his legs are so long that he can outrun us both."
+
+"Which is a good thing."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"As soon as he catches sight of the bear, he will turn about and run
+with might and main."
+
+"I'm not so sure of that," remarked Nick, who began to think there was
+more in Herbert than they had suspected.
+
+"He is so anxious to get the animal that he doesn't know the risk he is
+running. The fight you had with the buck yesterday shows what a more
+harmless animal will do when he turns to fight the hunter."
+
+"But Herbert will be likely to wait till we come up to him if he sees
+the bear."
+
+"There's no telling what such a fellow will do when he loses his head;
+the only chance for him is that we may be so close that we can turn in
+and help him."
+
+"Then we had better hurry."
+
+Thereupon the two broke into a run again, which they kept up till pretty
+well tired out.
+
+They could hear Bowser baying at no great distance, and, consequently,
+were sure that Herbert himself was not far off.
+
+"If we three come upon him we ought to be able to kill him without much
+risk to ourselves--that is, if we use any sort of care in taking aim."
+
+"We must try and do that--hark!"
+
+At that instant they were startled by the sharp report of a rifle, the
+distance and direction leaving no doubt that it was fired by Herbert
+Watrous.
+
+Sam and Nick fairly turned pale, and something like a feeling of envy
+came over them at the belief that Herbert, after all his boasting, had
+succeeded in bringing down the royal game without their help.
+
+The shot was fired so close that, as they hastened forward again, they
+expected to come upon the hunter and his game every minute.
+
+"Hallo! what does that mean?"
+
+The question was caused by the sudden appearance of Bowser, who was
+limping toward them in a panic of terror. At every leap he uttered a
+yelp, which was of pain and fear.
+
+The boys stopped, and the hound, running up, crouched down at their
+feet, whining and moaning.
+
+"He is hurt!" said Sam, who noticed that he was bleeding from a wound in
+the shoulder, where the claws of some animal had struck him with great
+force.
+
+"It was done by the bear," said Nick, "and he hit Bowser a hard blow; I
+shouldn't wonder if it kills him."
+
+Sam stooped over the dog and tried to soothe him by patting and speaking
+kind words.
+
+"He is badly hurt, but I hope he isn't going to die. Poor fellow! we
+have been unjust to him; he's a good deal braver dog than we gave him
+credit for."
+
+They were still patting and soothing the wounded hound, when the report
+of Herbert's rifle was heard again. Sam and Nick started up and stared
+in the direction whence the sound came.
+
+"He has got the bear--"
+
+Just then the voice of Herbert was heard ringing through the forest
+arches:
+
+"Quick! quick! help! help! the bear has got me! Hurry up, boys, or I'm a
+goner!"
+
+The lads dashed forward, excited and fearful they would be too late.
+
+The voice of the imperiled hunter rang out again.
+
+"Quick! quick! the bear has got me sure! Hurry boys, hurry, for pity's
+sake!"
+
+The next instant Sam and Nick came upon an extraordinary scene.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+A FRIEND IN NEED.
+
+
+Herbert Watrous had been set upon by a huge bear, and, throwing aside
+his Creedmoor, had run with might and main for a large stump, behind
+which he took refuge. Had he climbed a sapling, he would have been safe,
+but he was too flustered to think of that.
+
+Dodging behind this shelter he squatted down, hoping that his enemy did
+not notice where he had gone; but, when he heard the brute lumbering
+after him, he hastily shifted his quarters to the other side of the
+stump. While doing so, he emitted the ringing cries for help which
+brought his friends in such haste to his rescue.
+
+The situation would have been laughable but for its element of peril.
+Darting to the side of the stump opposite to that of the bear, Herbert
+would drop his head, and then instantly pop up again, like a
+jack-in-the-box, to see what the brute was doing. The latter, it may be
+said, kept things moving.
+
+When Herbert lowered his head and yelled, his voice had a muffled sound,
+as though it came from a distance, but when he shot up in sight, his
+cries were clear and distinct.
+
+The beast, although heavy and awkward of movement, managed to move
+around the stump and to reverse his course with such facility that there
+can be little doubt that he would have caught the lad, had not his
+friends been so prompt to rush to his help.
+
+Sam and Nick felt no disposition to laugh; indeed, they were so
+impressed by the danger that, without exercising the care they would
+have done any other time, and which they meant to show when talking of
+the matter a few minutes before, they raised their guns together and
+fired.
+
+Although the aim was not as deliberate as it should have been, yet both
+bullets struck the bear, though neither inflicted a mortal wound.
+
+The brute stopped short in his circular pursuit, looked confusedly
+about him for a second or two, and then made straight for the lads who
+had fired upon him, just as the buck did in the case of Nick Ribsam.
+
+"Scatter and climb a tree!" called out Nick, who saw they had no chance
+to reload.
+
+Now was the time for Herbert to recover, and reload his gun and to take
+another shot at the brute, so as to draw him off from his hot pursuit of
+the others; but the panic-stricken youth could not realize that the
+danger was removed, and that his terrible foe was bestowing his
+attention elsewhere. He continued calling for help in a louder voice
+than before, believing that every minute would be his last.
+
+Sam Harper whirled about to make for a sapling, but caught his foot in
+an obstruction and fell violently to the ground. Nick was so alarmed
+that he stopped to help him up.
+
+"I'm all right," said Sam, "look out for yourself!"
+
+But Nick could not desert him, until assured he was not mangled by the
+fall, and by that time the bear was too close for them to escape by
+climbing a tree.
+
+It looked as if it would go ill with one at least (for no gun in the
+party was loaded, and the brute was almost upon them), when most
+providentially, but unexpectedly, the report of another rifle broke upon
+their ear, and the bullet reached the heart of the monstrous beast, who
+reared himself on his haunches and used his paws as though trying to
+draw out the splinters which he imagined were thrust into his body.
+
+Then he swerved to one side, sagged heavily to the ground, and then it
+was plain that all was over.
+
+"Are any of you hurt?"
+
+It was the voice of the plucky Mrs. Fowler, who hurried forward with
+anxious face, the smoking rifle in her hands.
+
+Herbert was still peering from behind the stump and shouting himself
+hoarse, with no thought of what had taken place within the last few
+minutes. By and by, however, after he had been called to, he
+comprehended the facts and came forth, when a general explanation
+followed.
+
+Although Herbert would not admit it, there was no doubt that of the two
+shots which he fired at the bear only one touched him, and that only to
+a sufficient extent to graze his body and to draw his attention to the
+young hunter.
+
+Herbert then dropped his gun and made for the stump, which was not a
+secure refuge.
+
+This took place so near the cabin-home of Mrs. Fowler that she heard the
+cries for help, and, taking down her rifle, hurried to the spot,
+arriving just in time to save the other lads from serious danger, if not
+from death.
+
+The boys overwhelmed the brave woman with thanks, and though she
+modestly disclaimed her right to the bear--expressing her belief that
+the two shots they had fired were fatal--they would not listen to it,
+but they turned to, skinned the animal, and presented the hide to her,
+regretting that they had not several others, that her husband might
+collect twenty dollars apiece from Mr. Bailey, his employer.
+
+"This isn't the only bear in the woods," said she, thanking them for
+their kindness; "and some of you will see another before long. But this
+will do for to-day."
+
+They thought so, too; and, swinging their hats in the air, bade her
+good-by and started homeward.
+
+Sam Harper proposed that they should go out of their path to examine the
+carcass of the deer, so as to learn whether the shot of Herbert took
+effect; but that young gentleman was frank enough to admit, after his
+experience, that it was impossible he had come anywhere near hitting the
+buck. Accordingly, they continued homeward, Herbert going back to the
+city a few days afterward to find out, if he could, why his gun so often
+failed to hit the object he aimed at.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+THE "DARK DAY" OF SEPTEMBER, 1881.
+
+
+The summer during which Nicholas Ribsam attained the age of twelve years
+was viewed with dismal forebodings by many people, for the reason that a
+celebrated weather prophet had foretold that it would be unusually
+rainy, cold, and wet.
+
+As a consequence, it proved to be the driest known in years. Days,
+weeks, and even months passed without a drop of rain falling from the
+brassy sky, and the fine powdery dust permeated everywhere. The weather
+prophet lost caste, but he persisted in announcing rain, knowing that he
+had only to stick to it long enough to hit it in the course of time.
+
+As the autumn approached and the drought continued over a vast extent of
+territory, the forest fires raged in different parts of the country. All
+day and night immense volumes of smoke and vapor hung over the land, and
+the appearance of the sun was so peculiar as to cause alarm on the part
+of those who were superstitious.
+
+There came a "dark day," like that of the 19th of May, 1780, which
+overspread New England, and was most marked in Massachusetts. The
+Connecticut Legislature was in session, and the belief was so universal
+that the last awful day had come that the motion was made to adjourn.
+Then, as the graphic Quaker poet says:
+
+    All eyes were turned to Abraham Davenport.
+    He rose, slow cleaving with his steady voice
+    The intolerable hush. "This well may be
+    The Day of Judgment which the world awaits;
+    But be it so or not, I only know
+    My present duty, and my Lord's command
+    To occupy till He come. So at the post
+    Where He has set me in His providence,
+    I choose, for one, to meet Him face to face--
+    No faithless servant frightened from my task,
+    But ready when the Lord of the harvest calls;
+    And, therefore, with all reverence, I would say,
+    Let God do His work, we will see to ours.
+    Bring in the candles." And they brought them in.
+
+Tuesday, September 7, 1881, was a day very similar to the memorable one
+of a century ago. A strange, greenish-yellow pall overspread the
+heavens, and so darkened the light of the sun that lamps and gas were
+lighted, schools and factories closed, and multitudes of the ignorant
+and superstitious believed that the Day of Judgment had come.
+
+Everything looked changed and unnatural. The faces of people on the
+streets were ghastly, the gas jets in the stores, instead of showing
+yellow, were as white and clear as the electric lights, and thousands of
+the sect known as Second Adventists gathered in their places of worship
+and confidently awaited the appearing of the Lord.
+
+The "dark day" was more wonderful in the country. The leaves and
+withering foliage assumed a most singular tint of green, changing, like
+that of the grass, to a brownish hue; fowls went to roost, and the
+animal creation must have been greatly mystified by a phenomenon such as
+they had never witnessed before.
+
+A curious feature of this luminous haze was that it cast no shadow. It
+was as light under the trees as away from them, the whole unnatural
+appearance of things most likely being due to the immense forest fires
+which were raging in many parts of the country.
+
+It was during the summer, I repeat, in which Nick Ribsam reached the age
+of twelve years, that so many forest fires raged, and it was in the
+autumn of the same year that he saw the famous dark day, so similar to
+that of September, 1881; in fact, it could not have resembled it more
+closely, for I may as well state it was that very day to which I refer.
+
+"Nick," said his father, on that September morning, addressing his boy
+in Dutch, "I promised to pay James Bradley one hundred dollars to-day
+before three o'clock."
+
+"Yes, sir," responded the boy, who knew that the debt would be paid on
+time.
+
+"He was to come here to our house to get it, but he sent me word last
+night that he would be much obliged if I would send it to him at
+Martin's store in Dunbarton, as he is obliged to be there all day. I
+like to accommodate any one, and I will therefore send you to take it to
+him."
+
+"Yes, sir; I am ready to go whenever you want me to do so."
+
+Dunbarton, as has been stated, was a village nine miles away, and the
+principal grocery store in the place was kept by Jacob Martin. It was
+there that Nick was to take the one hundred dollars which was to be
+handed to James Bradley, to whom his father owed it.
+
+It was like a holiday for Nick to take such a drive, and he was glad
+when his father made known his wishes.
+
+"Harness up the mare to the fall-top and drive over; you ought to be
+back early in the afternoon."
+
+"I will, if nothing happens to prevent."
+
+Just then rosy-faced Nellie came out to feed the chickens. As the fowls
+flocked toward her, some perching on her shoulders, head, and wherever
+they could find a resting-place, she scattered the golden grains of corn
+with a deft and lavish hand.
+
+Her father looked at the cheeks as red as apples and the eyes glowing
+with health, and, dropping into English, said with a sigh and shake of
+the head:
+
+"I dinks dot Nellie looks some bale."
+
+He meant to say pale, and Nick laughed.
+
+"I don't think she is very sick; she ate more breakfast than I did this
+morning."
+
+"Dot ish so, but I dinks dot I leafes her go mit you to Dunbarton, if
+she can shpare her moder."
+
+Mr. Ribsam meant all right, and when his wishes were made known to
+Nellie she was delighted; her mother was glad to give her the privilege
+of an excursion, for she was an industrious little girl, and,
+furthermore, there were some purchases to be made both for the mother
+and daughter, which Nellie could attend to better than could any boy, no
+matter how intelligent.
+
+The famous "dark day" of 1881 prevailed principally in New England and
+the State of New York; but it was noticed further south, especially in
+some of the wooded portions of Pennsylvania, though in the larger part
+of the commonwealth it attracted no great attention.
+
+It was between seven and eight o'clock when the four-wheeled carriage
+with the single seat, and which vehicle is known as a "fall top" in
+some sections of the country, was driven from the humble home of the
+Ribsams, with the brother and sister seated in it.
+
+As they approached the scene of Nellie's adventure with the bear, they
+naturally talked about it, while Nick again related his own thrilling
+experience, when the animal was shot by Mrs. Fowler, just in the nick of
+time.
+
+Shark Creek had suffered so much from the long continued drought that it
+was no more than one fourth its usual volume; but the pond below was not
+much diminished in size, as it did not flow off except when at a certain
+height.
+
+The brother and sister did not speak of the peculiar appearance of the
+atmosphere until nearly to the bridge. There had been a great deal of
+smoke floating over the country for several days, but there was nothing
+to cause any fear on the part of those who lived near the large
+stretches of timber.
+
+As the darkness increased, however, Nick said:
+
+"It must be caused by the thick smoke; but I don't think it will last,
+and when we reach Dunbarton that will be the end of it."
+
+"It won't make any difference," said Nellie, "unless it gets so dark we
+can't see the way."
+
+"No fear of that."
+
+But when at last they emerged from the woods, and shortly after entered
+the village, the impressive gloom was deeper than ever. The villagers
+were awed by the unnatural appearance of nature, and were standing in
+groups looking at the sky and talking in undertones.
+
+Many were frightened, and not a few hurried to their homes, terrified
+with the belief that the last awful day, when the heavens shall be
+burned up as a scroll and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, was
+at hand.
+
+Ah, had it been the final Judgment Day, how many of us would have had
+our houses in order for the coming of the angel of the Lord?
+
+Nick Ribsam sprang out of the carriage, helped Nellie to alight, and
+went into the store of Mr. Martin, where James Bradley was found
+awaiting him. The money was handed over, a receipt taken, the horse
+fed, during which Nellie attended to the errand on which she was sent,
+and, an hour later, the mare was given water, and brother and sister
+started homeward, little dreaming of what awaited them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+THE BURNING FOREST.
+
+
+"It is growing darker all the time."
+
+"So it seems; I never saw anything like it."
+
+"Maybe it is really night, Nick, and we have lost our reckoning. Isn't
+there any way by which the world might swing out of its--what do you
+call it?"
+
+"Orbit, I suppose, you mean; there may be such a way, but from what I
+have studied, when it does do that there will be more of a disturbance
+than simple darkness like this."
+
+These words were exchanged between brother and sister after they had
+penetrated the woods a considerable distance on their return home. It
+had become like night around them, except that, as has been shown, the
+gloom was of that peculiar lurid nature which can hardly be described,
+and can never be forgotten by those who saw it.
+
+Even Nick Ribsam was impressed. It could not have been otherwise, for
+any one would have been lacking in natural sensibility had he failed to
+be awed by the singular sight. It can scarcely be said that the lad was
+frightened, although there came over him a yearning feeling that he
+might hurry home so the family could all be together, if the awful
+calamity--whatever it might be--should descend.
+
+It was different with the sister Nellie; her nature was more
+impressible, and it was only by a strong effort that she kept her
+self-control so long. As she peeped furtively out from the carriage, she
+looked at the woods, penetrated by the strange haze, which perhaps took
+on a more striking appearance in an autumnal forest like that, than
+anywhere else.
+
+"Nick, I believe it's the Last Day that has come."
+
+The lad turned toward his sister, who was sitting far back in her seat,
+as though trying to shut out the scene which had such a fascination for
+her.
+
+The face of the girl wore such a ghastly color, that Nick could not
+wonder at her fright, but he shook his head. He felt he was the man now,
+and it would not do for him to show any weakness.
+
+"It isn't the Judgment Day, Nellie; for, according to the Bible, it will
+come in a different way than this. There are a good many things which
+are not understood by folks, and I suppose this must be one of them."
+
+"I can smell burning wood," broke in the sister, leaning forward and
+snuffing the smoky air.
+
+"I am sure I do, and that's what is making all this trouble."
+
+"But suppose, Nick, these woods are on fire? How far is it back to where
+we entered them?"
+
+"About three miles, and it is five to the open country ahead, where we
+leave them; but there is the creek, less than a mile ahead, so if we
+should find the woods burning, we can stop there till it is over."
+
+The sister, however, had suggested a danger to the brother which alarmed
+him. The mare had been walking slowly, for it seemed more in harmony
+with the scene that she should do so. The driver now jerked the lines so
+sharply that she pricked up her ears and started off at a rapid gait,
+that is as the mare herself doubtless looked upon traveling.
+
+The first real thrill of alarm came to the lad, when he recalled that if
+a fire should appear, he and his sister were in the worst possible
+position: there were three miles of forest behind and five in front.
+
+The mare seemed to awaken to a sense of danger, for she threw up her
+head with unusual sprightliness, struck into a trot so rapid that Nick
+was a little frightened, lest in the gloom the carriage should come in
+contact with some obstruction which he could not detect in time.
+
+"See there!"
+
+As Nellie uttered the exclamation, she caught the arm of her brother and
+pointed ahead, but there was no need of her doing so, for he had seen
+the peril. The road immediately in front was filled with heavy smoke,
+which, as it rolled forward, caused them to cough almost to the
+strangulation point. At the same time, a crimson streak of flame shot
+in and out of the murky vapor, like the flashing of lightning: the fire
+was burning immediately in front and it would not do to go further.
+
+Nick stopped the horse, and, half rising and bending forward, peered
+into the suffocating vapor. Then he turned and looked behind him, in
+which direction Nellie was also gazing.
+
+"How is it there?" he asked.
+
+"There is plenty of smoke, but I see no fire."
+
+"Then we must go back."
+
+The road was quite narrow, though there was room for two teams to pass
+each other, and Nick turned the frightened mare as quickly as he could;
+she was so nervous and fidgety that it was hard work to control her, but
+she was headed toward Dunbarton, after some difficulty, and as soon as
+the rein was given her, away she went at a spanking trot.
+
+But neither the brother nor sister was relieved of fear, for the smoke
+grew denser every minute, and Nick might well ask himself whether he
+would be able to pass the three miles before he could reach the safety
+of the open country.
+
+The question was answered much sooner than he anticipated. The sharp
+crackling was heard, and they caught glimpses of the fiery tongues
+leaping in and out among the dried leaves and vegetation on either hand.
+Suddenly the flames seemed to meet in front in such a rushing, roaring
+volume that it was vain to think of pushing any further in the face of
+it.
+
+"Oh, Nick," moaned Nellie, shrinking close to him, "we are going to be
+burned alive!"
+
+"It does look bad, Nellie, but we mustn't give up yet; one thing is
+certain, it won't do to try to reach Dunbarton to-day."
+
+"But we can't go homeward."
+
+"It doesn't look so bad that way as it does toward Dunbarton: we must
+try one of the roads, and I would rather work toward home than away from
+it."
+
+Nick was busy while talking; he saw that the mare was becoming
+panic-stricken, and it required all his strength and firmness to keep
+her from breaking away from him.
+
+[Illustration: "O Nick," moaned Nellie, "we are going to be burned
+alive."]
+
+By using the whip, he managed to turn her again in the road, and then he
+struck her sharply with the lash.
+
+"Nellie, catch hold of my arm," he said to her, feeling that even if
+everything came out in the best form, a severe struggle was before them.
+
+The mare sniffed, and, glancing to her right and left, gave a whinny of
+terror as she dropped into her swiftest trot, which, a minute after, she
+changed to a gallop; but Nick brought her down instantly to her more
+natural gait.
+
+Nellie slipped her arm under the elbow of her brother, and then clasped
+her two hands, so as to hold fast for the shock which she believed would
+soon come.
+
+A large branch had fallen across the road, and Nick did not catch sight
+of it until too late to check the flying mare. The carriage seemed to
+bound fully a foot into the air, and an ominous wrench told the driver
+that it had suffered material damage.
+
+But there was no time to stop and examine; the terrified horse sprang
+into a gallop again, and this time Nick did not restrain her.
+
+There was smoke all around them; the air was hot and suffocating; they
+could hear the crackling of flames, and now and then the crimson flash
+through the murky vapor showed that a frightful forest fire was raging
+on every hand.
+
+Still the mare kept forward at the same swift gallop, and Nick knew that
+more than once she felt the blistering heat on her haunches. It is a
+strange peculiarity of the horse, which often shows a wonderful degree
+of intelligence, that he generally loses his wits when caught in a
+conflagration. Instead of running away from the flames he often charges
+among them, and there remains, fighting those who are trying to save
+him.
+
+Very probably the mare would have acted similarly in the instance of
+which I am speaking had the circumstances permitted it; but there was
+fire all about her, and the temptation was as strong, therefore, in one
+direction as another.
+
+Nick kept his self-possession. He knew by the desperate energy with
+which Nellie clung to his arm that she was helpless, and that every
+minute they were likely to plunge headlong into and among the roaring
+flames.
+
+He could not guide the mare, which was now controlled by her own
+instinctive desire to escape a danger which was on every hand. He merely
+sought to direct her, so far as possible, in the hope that he might save
+the carriage from being dashed to pieces.
+
+When he saw the flames meeting across the road he shouted to Nellie to
+hold her breath, and he did the same, until they had swept through the
+fiery, strangling ring, and were able to catch a mouthful of the smoky
+and scorching atmosphere beyond.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+THROUGH THE FIRE.
+
+
+It was hard to remain cool when surrounded by such peril as were Nick
+and Nellie Ribsam but the sturdy lad acquitted himself like a hero.
+
+His belief was that all the woods were not on fire--that is, the entire
+tract was not burning at once, and that, as a consequence, if he could
+break through the flaming circle in which he was caught, he could place
+himself and sister in front of the danger, so to speak, and then they
+would be able to run away from it altogether.
+
+If such were the case, it followed that just then speed was the most
+important of all things, and for that reason he kept the mare on her
+sweeping gallop, at the imminent risk of dashing the carriage to pieces
+every minute.
+
+He was glad that he did not meet any vehicles, for it not only showed
+that no one else in the neighborhood was placed in the same extremity
+as were he and his sister, but it lessened the danger of collision.
+
+Nick thought it was all over with them, when a fiery serpent, as it
+seemed, darted across from one side of the road to the other, directly
+in front. It was at the height of five or six feet, and coiling itself
+about a dry pine it shot horizontally toward another pine, wrapped with
+a flaming girdle, which sent out a line of fire to meet it, like the
+intense blaze seen when a blow-pipe is used.
+
+It was a curious manifestation, and it would be hard to explain it, for,
+though a strong wind was blowing, that would not account for the fact
+that the two tongues of fire, as they really were, met each other in
+this fashion across the road, for of a necessity they extended
+themselves in opposite directions.
+
+They did not burn steadily, but whisked back and forth, just as it may
+be imagined two serpents would have done who saw the fugitives coming,
+and, making ready, said by their actions, "Thus far, but no farther."
+
+To Nick Ribsam it looked like the flaming sword of Hazael, sweeping
+across the highway; but it would never do to hesitate, and the mare
+galloped straight on. The fiery serpents darted angrily at each other,
+but the head of the horse glided beneath and the boy caught a hot blast
+as he shot by.
+
+"Where is the bridge?" shouted Nellie, who could see nothing, and who
+clung more desperately than ever to the supporting arm of her brother.
+
+"It must be close at hand--there it is!"
+
+So it was, indeed, but the fire was ahead of them; the whole structure
+was one mass of flames, roaring and crackling with fury.
+
+The scene that followed was a dreadful one: the sight of the
+furnace-like structure set the mare wild, and she broke into a dead run
+toward the blazing mass of kindling wood, determined to plunge headlong
+into it.
+
+Nick Ribsam rose to his feet, and bent back with might and main, but he
+might as well have tried to check a runaway locomotive: the mare took
+the bit in her teeth and was beyond control.
+
+With a presence of mind which did him credit, Nick wrenched her to one
+side, while she was at the height of this mad flight, so that the hub of
+the fore wheel struck a tree at the side of the road, checking the
+vehicle so abruptly that both traces snapped as if they were ribbons,
+and the mare continued her gallop in the direction of the bridge.
+
+The momentum of Nellie threw her violently against the dashboard, while
+Nick, before he could let go the reins, was jerked out the carriage,
+and, lighting on his feet, ran a dozen steps ere he could check himself
+and free his hands from the reins.
+
+He stopped almost on the edge of the creek, and caught one glimpse of
+the mare as she bounded out of sight into the smoke and flames, and was
+gone forever.
+
+The lad felt a pang of sorrow for the foolish beast, who stood as good a
+chance of saving herself as he, had she but used a tithe of common
+sense; but there was no time for mourning, and he ran back to the
+vehicle, where Nellie was crouching, and crying violently.
+
+"Why, Nellie, I am ashamed of you!" said her brother, reprovingly. "Is
+it going to mend matters to sit down and cry?"
+
+"But how can I help it, Nick?" she asked, rubbing her red eyes with her
+apron and trying to check herself; "I don't see how you can keep from
+crying yourself!"
+
+"I'm glad I ain't such a ninny as you, and when I get home I am going to
+tell father and mother."
+
+"You needn't be so smart," said Nellie, beginning to fire up under the
+reproof of her brother; "you haven't got home yet."
+
+"And mighty little chance I would stand of ever getting there if I
+should sit down like you and begin to blubber. Come out of the carriage
+and go with me."
+
+Nellie's face was very red and there were tears on her cheeks, her
+countenance wearing a strange appearance in the lurid haze around them.
+
+The girl did not make any objection, for she could not do otherwise than
+lean on the strong arm of her brother, who never seemed to lose his head
+over anything. Every minute or so a distressing feeling came over
+them--such a feeling as we can imagine would be ours were we suddenly to
+find ourselves shut in a room where the air was so impure we could not
+breathe it.
+
+There was a gasping, hurried inhalation of the strangling hot smoke--a
+coughing and filling of the eyes with tears, and then a frantic rush of
+several steps, during which the breath was held until a chance to get a
+mouthful of fresh air was gained.
+
+It was useless to turn back. The children were in the very heart of the
+wood, and the conflagration was raging so furiously on both sides, and
+in front and rear, that it was impossible to escape in either direction.
+
+But for the timely arrival at the edge of the creek they must have
+perished a few minutes later, and they could not feel certain as yet
+that even water would save them.
+
+The creek was so low, that when they hurriedly picked their way down the
+bank to it, Nick could have taken Nellie on his back and carried her
+across without wetting her feet; but there was nothing to be gained by
+doing so, as the fire was burning as fiercely on one side as on the
+other.
+
+The conflagration must stop when it should reach the margin of the
+stream, and Nick drew a sigh of relief, feeling that they were safe.
+
+"We will wait here till the fire is done burning," said he, standing
+with the hand of his sister in his own, while he gazed about him on the
+extraordinary scene.
+
+The day had been quite warm, and Nick and Nellie, pausing on the bank of
+the shrunken creek, began to find themselves exceedingly uncomfortable;
+for not only was there a great increase of heat, but the smoke was too
+heavy to be breathed without great pain and irritation to the lungs.
+
+"It looks as if we are to be strangled to death, after all," Nick said,
+"for it is hard to breathe now, and it is growing worse every minute."
+
+"Let's go up by the pond: it isn't far away."
+
+"It must be as bad there as anywhere else, but we shall die if we stay
+here."
+
+There seemed little choice in the matter, but one of the impossibilities
+is for a boy or girl to stand still when suffering, and the suggestion
+of Nellie was acted upon at once.
+
+She had released the arm of Nick, who started up the right bank, she
+following close behind him. The walking was easy, for the creek had
+receded from the greater portion of the bed it usually occupied, and
+that had become hardened by long exposure to the heat of the sun.
+
+It was not far to the pond of which I have spoken, and which occupied an
+extent of an acre, or perhaps more. The place was a favorite with the
+boys of the neighborhood, and some of the most delightful swims Nick
+Ribsam had ever enjoyed were in that sheet of water.
+
+The water was cold, clear, and deep in many places. What more tempting
+resort for a tired, thirsty and overheated lad can be imagined
+especially when he knows that it will be a piece of disobedience for him
+to go there?
+
+"That's the place," he exclaimed, hastening his footsteps; "when we get
+there, we'll have a chance to breathe."
+
+"Hurry up, then, Nick, for I can't stand this much longer."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+CALLING IN VAIN.
+
+
+The distress of the brother and sister became greater every minute. They
+walked hurriedly along the bank of the creek, their path through the
+gloom illuminated now and then by the flashes of fire which shot through
+the strangling volumes of vapor. Nick, more than likely, would have gone
+astray but for his familiarity with the neighborhood.
+
+It seemed to him as if the smoke, heavy, dense, sulphurous and
+suffocating, caused by the burning forest, was driven toward the bed of
+the stream, where it was pressed down by the weight from above, until it
+was the utmost he and Nellie could do to inhale enough of the
+contaminated air to sustain life.
+
+They hurried and struggled forward as best they could, and at last
+caught the glimmer of the broad expanse of water, which presented
+itself in the light of a haven of refuge to them.
+
+It was a most welcome relief indeed, for they were now assured of one
+thing--they could not die the frightful death that overtook the poor
+mare. This broad expanse of cool, refreshing water could not burn up, no
+matter how fervent the heat that might envelop its shores. Its cool
+depths offered a refreshing refuge, such as can hardly be understood by
+one who is not suffering similarly.
+
+But it was rather curious that the boy and girl had endured more from
+the suffocating vapor than from the fire itself. Looking down at their
+garments, they were surprised to find them scorched in several places,
+and Nellie gave just the faintest scream when a pungent odor directed
+her gaze to a large hole burning in her dress.
+
+Nick glanced around, and, understanding what the matter was, called
+rather sharply:
+
+"Pinch it out!"
+
+She was already doing so, and she asked:
+
+"Why don't you pinch out that fire on your coat?"
+
+Just then her brother jumped into the air and shouted, "Oh--ouch!" for
+the burning sleeve had gone through the shirt and reached the bare skin.
+He whipped off his coat in a twinkling, dipped it hastily into the
+water, doing the same with his right elbow, the element which
+extinguished the smoking garment being very grateful to the scorched
+limb.
+
+"Nellie," said he, "just cast your eye over me, and let me know whether
+there are any more fires going."
+
+He made up his mind that if she reported other conflagrations breaking
+out, he would subdue them in a lump by taking a header in the pond,
+whose shore they reached at that moment. But Nellie said he was in no
+danger so far as she could see, of immediate combustion and when she
+came to examine her own garments they were also free from the same
+peril.
+
+"Now, what shall we do that we have got here?" she asked, as, after
+walking a few steps, he came to a stop.
+
+"Wait, and see how things are coming out," he answered. "I begin to
+feel tired, so suppose we sit down and rest ourselves."
+
+The moment this was done, both uttered an exclamation of pleasure; for
+the relief from the distressing smoke was so great that it was as if
+they had emerged into the open country, where there was none of it at
+all.
+
+"Why did we not think of this before?" said Nick; "we ought to have
+known that smoke doesn't keep close to the ground."
+
+The atmosphere was not clear by any means, but the change was so marked
+that it appeared more than pure, and they sat several minutes gratefully
+inhaling that from which it seemed they had been shut off for many
+hours.
+
+But their rejoicing was too soon; for, though it may be true that in a
+burning building the surest place in which to gain enough air to support
+life is close to the floor, yet there can be so much of the strangling
+vapor that it will penetrate everywhere.
+
+Less than five minutes had passed, when a volume of smoke swept over and
+enveloped them, so dense that it was like the darkness of Egypt, that
+could be felt, and the suffering of the brother and sister was pitiful.
+
+"Put your face close to the water," called out Nick, as well as he could
+do from coughing and strangling.
+
+At the same moment, their fevered cheeks touched the cold, refreshing
+surface, and something of relief was experienced.
+
+"It won't do to stay here," said Nick, a moment later.
+
+"But where can we go?"
+
+"Out in the pond; there's a better chance to breathe there than along
+shore."
+
+"But I can't swim, Nick."
+
+"What of that? I can, and I'll take care of you; but there is plenty of
+wood and we can make a raft. That reminds me that there _was_ a raft
+here last week, when Sam Harper and I had a swim: I wonder where it can
+be. Help me to look for it."
+
+They moved slowly along the margin of the pond, peering through the
+gloom as best they could, but seeing nothing of the support on which
+they now placed so much hope.
+
+Nick Ribsam, however, did not fail to notice one thing--it was becoming
+hotter every minute and they could not wait much longer before entering
+the water in very self-defense.
+
+They pushed bravely on, and when the circuit of Shark Pond was half
+completed, reached a point where the thick vapor lifted, or, more
+properly, it had not yet descended, and they stopped to rest themselves
+again.
+
+"Well," exclaimed Nick, with a sigh, "some folks would call this fun,
+but I don't see where it comes in."
+
+"I don't see how any one could find fun in such suffering; but, Nick,
+you will have to make a raft."
+
+"I believe you are right; there isn't much chance to fasten these dry
+logs together, and I haven't time to build one that will hold us both."
+
+"What will you do?"
+
+"I will place you on it, and I'll swim along-side----"
+
+"There's the raft! I see it! I see it!"
+
+Nellie sprang to her feet and pointed out on the pond where, through the
+smoky gloom, the outlines of the half dozen logs, which Nick and
+several of his playmates had bound together with withes, when frolicking
+in the water, were seen.
+
+The lad threw off his hat, vest, shoes, and stockings, so that only his
+shirt and trousers remained, and then took a header, his whole being
+thrilling with pleasure as the cold water closed around him.
+
+"Take care of my clothes!" he called to Nellie, "and I'll bring the raft
+over to you."
+
+As there was no immediate hurry, the situation of his sister being quite
+comfortable, the lad could not resist the temptation to disport himself
+awhile in the cool, refreshing element. He sank until his bare feet
+touched the pebbly bottom, and then shot upward with a bound; then he
+went over backward, floundered, and tumbled about like a porpoise.
+
+"Nick," called his sister, "you had better hurry and get that raft, for
+I cannot see it now."
+
+This startled the lad, but when he found he could not see Nellie either,
+he understood that it was on account of the overshadowing gloom that had
+fallen still lower; at the same time the disturbance of the atmosphere
+had caused a strong wind to blow across the pond, and it was doubtless
+this which had started the mass of pine logs from the land, and was now
+bearing it away from where it lay when discovered by the girl.
+
+"Are you comfortable there?" called out Nick to his sister.
+
+"Yes, but don't wait too long, for it is growing warm, and I think the
+fire is close to me."
+
+The lad felt he had done wrong in idling his time, and he bent all his
+energies toward swimming to the raft, which, under any circumstances
+could not be far off.
+
+As it was, Nick was amazed to find it necessary to go a considerable
+ways before he caught sight of the familiar pile of logs floating
+buoyantly on the water, but he speedily reached them, and, drawing
+himself on top, hunted for the long pole that he had used so many times
+in navigating the pond.
+
+But it was not there, and he sank back into the water, and, holding on
+with his hands, used his feet vigorously to propel the raft toward the
+bank, where he had left his loved sister but a short time before.
+
+"I'll soon be there, Nellie," he called; "are you all right?"
+
+This was a curious question to ask, though it was natural, perhaps, for
+any boy, under similar circumstances, but Nick felt a pang of fear when
+he repeated the call and did not receive any answer.
+
+He put forth all the energy at his command, and steadily pushed the
+float toward land. Now and then, while doing so, he shouted to his
+sister, without hearing any reply.
+
+"Can it be anything has happened to her?" he asked himself several times
+as he peered through the gloom, unable to catch the outlines of brave
+little Nellie.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV.
+
+WHAT FRIGHTENED NELLIE.
+
+
+Nick Ribsam thought not of himself, in his anxiety for his sister. He
+had left her but a few brief minutes before, sitting on the shore of the
+lake, and now when he returned she was missing.
+
+He had called to her repeatedly without receiving any answer, and when
+he looked about him in the smoke and gloom, he could see nothing of her
+loved figure.
+
+He noticed that it was very hot where he stood, and there could be no
+doubt that the flames were advancing in that direction. His dread was
+that Nellie had lost her wits in the presence of the new danger, and had
+run blindly into the burning woods where there could be no escape for
+her.
+
+"Nellie! Nellie!" he shouted in agonized tones; "Where are you? Why
+don't you answer me?"
+
+He thought he heard something like a faint response, but it was not
+repeated, and poor Nick was half distracted. For the first time since
+entering the burning forest he lost his self-control, and not doubting
+that his sister was somewhere close at hand, he dashed among the trees,
+still calling to her at the height of his voice.
+
+He had gone but a short distance when he was brought face to face with
+such a fierce blast of flame that he was forced to turn and run back to
+the water's edge, where he stopped for a minute or two gasping for
+breath.
+
+This repulse served to give him time to collect his wits, and he tried
+hard to decide what was best to do, for he was resolved never to leave
+that place until he learned the fate of Nellie.
+
+"She had good sense," he added to himself, "and she would not have done
+such a foolish thing. She has gone to some other spot along the shore
+and is waiting for me."
+
+Possibly this was so, but it did not explain the curious fact that all
+the calls of Nick remained unanswered. The space inclosing the pond was
+so slight that his voice must have penetrated every portion of it, and
+it did seem that if she were in any place safe for her to be, she could
+not fail to hear him.
+
+Nick found a long branch, which answered for a pole with which to guide
+the raft, and stepping on it he began pushing it along shore as rapidly
+as he could, looking into the gloom about him and often pronouncing the
+name of his sister. His heart sank within him when this continued
+several minutes, and half the circuit of the pond was completed without
+bringing him the first evidence of the whereabouts of Nellie.
+
+Finally he paused, wearied and distressed beyond description.
+
+The darkness of night rested on Shark Pond and the surrounding woods.
+The murky volumes of smoke seemed to shut out all light, excepting when
+the tongues of fire shot through them. The wind blew a gale, stirring
+the water into tiny waves, and the roaring of the fire through the
+woods, the sound of trees crashing to the earth, and the millions of
+sparks, with blazing bits of wood, were carried a great distance
+through the air. Some of these flaming brands fell on the raft on which
+Nick Ribsam stood, and they continually dropped hissing into the water
+around him.
+
+The problem was, how the children had escaped thus far; and as the
+sturdy lad stood out on the pond with the long limb grasped in his hand,
+staring around him, he could not but wonder how it was he had been
+preserved after driving directly into the forest when it was literally
+aflame from one end to the other.
+
+But these thoughts were only for the moment; he had left Nellie, not
+expecting to be out of her sight, much less beyond her hearing, and she
+had vanished as mysteriously as if the earth had opened and swallowed
+her up.
+
+And yet he could not believe she was lost. She had proven that she was
+not the weak girl to do anything rashly, or to sit down and fold her
+hands and make no attempt to save herself. Something more than the
+general danger which impended over both must have arisen, during that
+brief period, to drive her from her post.
+
+"Nellie! Nellie!" he called again, shoving the pole vigorously against
+the bottom of the pond.
+
+He was sure he heard the faint response this time, and so distinctly
+that he caught the direction; it was from a point on the shore very
+nearly opposite where he had left her.
+
+"I hear you," he called back, working the unwieldy float toward the
+spot; "I'll soon be there."
+
+The distance was not great and it took but a few minutes to approach
+quite close to the land, where, with a delight which can scarcely be
+imagined, he saw Nellie standing close to the water's edge, beckoning
+him to make all haste.
+
+"Are you hurt?" he asked, as he forced the craft close to her.
+
+"No," she answered, with a strange laugh, "but I thought my last moment
+had come."
+
+"Didn't you hear me call you?"
+
+"Of course I did; any one within a mile could hear you."
+
+"Why then didn't you answer me?"
+
+"I was afraid to."
+
+"Afraid of what?"
+
+"Didn't you see him?" was the puzzling question of Nellie in return, as
+she stepped carefully upon the raft, helped by the extended hand of her
+brother.
+
+"Nellie, stop talking in puzzles," said Nick; "I was so scared about you
+that I won't get over it for a week; I called to, and hunted for you,
+and you say you heard me; you must have known how frightened I was, and
+yet you stood still and never made any answer, except a minute ago, when
+I just managed to hear you. If you think it is right, I don't--that's
+all."
+
+He turned away offended, when she said:
+
+"Forgive me, Nick; but I was afraid to answer you."
+
+"Afraid of _what_?"
+
+"Of that _bear_--you must have seen him," was the astonishing answer of
+the girl.
+
+Nellie then told her story: she was standing on the shore awaiting the
+return of her brother, when she was terrified almost out of senses by
+the appearance of a large black bear, which was evidently driven out of
+the burning forest by the flames.
+
+He did not seem to notice the girl, but when he began lumbering toward
+her, as if seeking a good spot where he might enter the pond, Nellie did
+not stay on the order of her going, but fled from the new peril, hardly
+conscious of what direction she took. She knew better than to venture
+among the blazing trees from which she and her brother had had such a
+narrow escape, and she sped forward around the lake until she reached a
+point nearly opposite. On the way she never looked behind her once,
+certain as she was that the creature was ready to seize and devour her.
+
+She was sure she heard him crashing almost upon her heels; but when she
+paused, and finally turned her frightened looks backward, nothing of the
+brute was to be seen, and she did not know what had become of him.
+
+"That's the other bear which Mrs. Fowler saw, and which she told Sam
+Harper, Herbert Watrous, and me, we would see some time or other."
+
+"But that was almost two years ago."
+
+"I know that; don't you suppose a bear will keep that long? This one has
+known enough to stay out of sight until the fire has forced him from
+his hiding-place."
+
+After Nellie had heard her brother call to her, she was fearful that if
+she answered she would betray herself to the brute, who would instantly
+make for her; so she held her peace, even though she saw nothing of the
+bear, and venturing on a rather feeble answer when the tones of Nick
+told how much apprehension he was suffering over his failure to find
+her.
+
+Now that the two were on the raft, which was shoved out in the deep
+water, something like confidence came back to her, and she was willing
+to talk about the beast.
+
+"I can't imagine what has become of him," said the brother, after her
+story was told; "from what I have heard and read, the bear is not afraid
+of water, and they often go in to bathe, just like us boys, for the fun
+of the thing. I don't see why he should have waited when he had the fire
+to urge him on."
+
+"Maybe he is swimming around the lake now," whispered Nellie, looking
+over as much of the surface as was visible through the hot smoke.
+
+"I shouldn't be surprised, though it is odd that I did not see him,"
+said Nick, pressing his pole against the bottom; "he is not far off, you
+may depend."
+
+"There! didn't you hear him?" asked Nellie, a moment later, as something
+like the grunt of a huge hog alarmed both brother and sister.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+AN UNWELCOME PASSENGER.
+
+
+A second time a loud snort was heard, as though some large animal were
+blowing the water from his nostrils, and at the same instant Nick and
+Nellie caught sight of the huge snout of the bear coming through the
+water toward them.
+
+He was making directly for the raft beyond all question.
+
+"By jingo, this raft wasn't built to carry bears!" exclaimed the
+startled lad, who used the pole with all the strength of which he was
+master; but, unfortunately, the bottom of the pond was composed of
+slippery rocks in many places, and the blunt end of the crooked limb
+slid along the upper surface of one of these so quickly that Nick
+dropped on his side and came within a hair's breadth of rolling
+overboard.
+
+But he was up again like a flash, and toiling with might and main.
+
+Rafts as generally constructed, are not capable of much speed, and
+though Nick Ribsam got out all there was in the one which he had
+managed, it was not to be expected that he could compare with the
+velocity of a strong, healthy bear.
+
+"He's coming, Nick! Oh, he will catch us sure!" exclaimed the sorely
+frightened Nellie, edging so far away that she, too, was in danger of
+going over.
+
+"I know he is," replied the sturdy lad, working hard with the guiding
+pole, "and I think he can beat us. Do you stay where you are, and don't
+try to get any further off or you will be drowned. I'll bang him over
+the head if he tries to climb on here and ride with us."
+
+Such was the purpose of the beast, beyond question; and, approaching
+fast, only a brief time elapsed ere his huge snout was shoved against
+the logs, his big paws, dripping with wet, flapped out from below the
+surface and both rested on the raft, which sank so low that Nellie
+screamed and Nick turned pale.
+
+Determined to keep off such an undesirable passenger, the lad raised
+the stick in his hand and brought it down with all his strength on the
+head of the bear, which acted as though unaware that he was struck.
+
+Nick repeated the blows, that would have settled the business for a less
+formidable animal but it was plain that brain did not consider the
+matter a serious one. Having secured a rest for his paws, his whole body
+was supported in the water, and the beast, which was no doubt very
+tired, simply ceased all effort, and floated with the wind.
+
+"Why don't you knock him off?" asked Nellie, impatiently.
+
+"Because I ain't strong enough, I suppose; he's the toughest customer I
+ever got hold of, or seemed to have a good chance to get hold of me."
+
+"I've a great notion to dig out his eyes myself."
+
+"If you try it, it will be the last bear you ever scratch; look at those
+paws! did you ever see such nails? didn't you hear them rattle against
+the logs when he struck them?"
+
+"Suppose he tries to climb upon the raft," ventured Nellie, trying to
+edge still further away, "what will become of us?"
+
+"The raft won't hold him; he'll sink it, and we'll have to get along as
+best we can; but, Nellie, he acts to me as though he is satisfied with
+being where he is, and he won't disturb us so long as we let him alone."
+
+"But you struck him several hard blows."
+
+"He's forgotten all about it, if he ever knew it. I guess he has had a
+pretty lively run to reach the pond in time to save his hide, and now
+that he is in the water, he will stay there a good while."
+
+There was a likelihood that Nick was right, and that the bear wanted
+nothing more than a rest; and yet the possibility that he would soon try
+to draw his entire body upon the raft prevented the brother and sister
+from having any peace of mind.
+
+When this singular tableau had lasted several minutes, it was discovered
+that the wind was carrying the raft, with its incubus, toward the
+western shore again, and Nick, afraid that if they all landed together,
+the bear might seize the occasion to make a supper off of them, reached
+the pole over the side, and began working the logs to the middle of the
+pond.
+
+During this performance the brute never stirred. His head, shoulders and
+paws were out of the water, the principal bulk of his body being
+beneath, and he seemed contented to be navigated about the small lake in
+any fashion the proprietor of the raft deemed best.
+
+When considerable time had passed without his offering to destroy them,
+the boy and girl were able to view the beast with feelings of less
+alarm. They looked at the large head, pig-like snout, round, dark eyes,
+and could well understand the terror which an unarmed person feels on
+meeting one of them in the woods.
+
+But so long as bruin remained there, so long was he a threat; and Nick
+was trying hard to think of some plan by which to get rid of him.
+
+He had tested beating him, but with no success, while he ran the risk of
+exciting him to a dangerous degree of savagery if he should persist in
+it. The boy had no weapon about him, unless his jack-knife should be
+counted as such, and nothing could be accomplished with that. He asked
+himself whether it were possible to dive under the raft and give him two
+or three vigorous thrusts with the implement; but, fortunately, the lad
+had too much sense to undertake anything of that sort, which, more than
+likely, would have resulted in the destruction of himself and sister.
+
+There really seemed no way open for the young hero to do anything at
+all, except to follow the advice of his father: "Do all you can for
+yourself and then leave the rest to Providence."
+
+"If I could think of anything," said he to Nellie, "I would do it, but
+we shall have to wait."
+
+"Maybe when he is rested he will swim off and go ashore."
+
+"I wish he would; but it seems to me that he has got a look in his eye,
+which says that pretty soon he will try to enjoy a little more of the
+raft than he now does: and when he undertakes it, you can make up your
+mind, Nellie, that there will be a row."
+
+"Why not let the raft drift close to land, so as to give him a chance to
+get off?" she asked.
+
+"Suppose he doesn't take the chance, which he has now; no, we'll wait
+awhile and see what he thinks about it."
+
+So soon as they could feel anything like relief from watching the
+passenger, the brother and sister looked at the scene around them, which
+was enough to strike any one with awe.
+
+The murky vapor was pouring across the water; burning leaves, sticks,
+and large branches of wood seemed to be carried almost horizontally on
+the wind, while the blazing forest roared like the ocean when swept by
+the monsoon.
+
+Whether the memorable dark day of 1881 still overspread the earth
+beyond, the two had no means of knowing; but they did know and feel that
+they were enveloped in an awful night, illumined only by the burning
+forests about them.
+
+Should the bear fail to harm them, they might well ask themselves the
+question, when would they be able to leave the water, in which they had
+taken refuge. It was not likely they would be forced to keep to the raft
+itself very long, but, after stepping foot on shore, they would be
+surrounded, if not by the burning forest itself, by its embers, which
+would render traveling perilous for days to come.
+
+Altogether, it will be seen that the situation of the two was as
+unpleasant--if, not absolutely dangerous--as it could well be.
+
+Nick was on the point, more than once, of following the advice of his
+sister,--to allow the raft to be carried by the wind against the shore,
+with the hope that the bear, when his hind legs should touch bottom,
+would take himself off; but he was afraid to do so, for it seemed to him
+that when the brute should be relieved of the necessity of looking after
+himself, he would turn and look after the boy and girl too closely for
+their safety.
+
+The very danger, however, that was dreaded more than all others, came
+when least expected.
+
+Nick had worked the unwieldy craft out in the pond again and had sat
+down beside Nellie, when, with one of his startling sniffs, the bear
+made a plunge, which heaved half of his body out of the water and lifted
+it upon the raft.
+
+As Nick Ribsam had previously remarked, the structure was not built for
+the accommodation of such passengers, and it began sinking, as the
+unwonted weight bore it down.
+
+"Don't be scared," said he to his sister; "maybe it's the best thing
+that could happen; put your hands on my shoulders and keep cool, and
+we'll swim out yet."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII.
+
+A BRAVE STRUGGLE.
+
+
+It was a trying ordeal for little Nellie Ribsam; but she met it with the
+courage and coolness of her brother. She could not swim a stroke, and,
+under heaven, everything depended on him. If she should lose her
+self-control, as would be the case with nine tenths of the girls of her
+age placed in a similar situation she was likely to drown both herself
+and her brother.
+
+But so long as she obeyed instructions, and the bear did not interfere,
+they were safe. She placed her hands on the shoulders of Nick, as he
+told her to do, and he struck out with his powerful stroke, which he
+could keep up for an hour if need be.
+
+The difficulty of the situation was deepened tenfold by the anxiety to
+know what the bear meant to do. He had it in his power to overtake both,
+and it would have been a trifling matter for him to "dispose" of them
+in a twinkling: one or two strokes of his immense paw were sufficient.
+
+It was the aim of Nick, therefore, to get away as speedily as possible;
+and he exerted himself to the utmost, glancing continually over his
+shoulder, as did the sorely frightened Nellie, who could not avoid a
+half gasping scream as the waters closed about her to her chin.
+
+But bruin seemed to be absorbed in the management of the raft, which, in
+fact, was more than he could manage. It was all well enough, so long as
+it only half supported him; but when he came to lift his huge bulk out
+of the water the buoyancy of the float was overcome, and it went down.
+
+The bear did not seem to understand it: a moment before he was resting
+upon a mass of logs, and now, when he looked around, they were
+invisible, and he was compelled to swim to support himself. He therefore
+struck out with a loud splash, and had scarcely done so when the light
+pine logs popped up again like so much cork.
+
+The brute turned around and dropped both paws upon them. Finding they
+kept afloat, he was too foolish to be content, but repeated his
+performance, and, as a consequence, speedily found himself pawing the
+water again to keep his own head above the surface.
+
+This second failure seemed to disgust him, and he paid no further
+attention to the logs, but headed for the shore, which was so close at
+hand that he reached it in a minute or two.
+
+This proceeding on the part of the bear, it will be understood, was of
+great benefit to the brother and sister, who improved it to the utmost.
+It occupied a brief time, during which Nick swam strongly and steadily,
+and before the brute was master of the situation Nick's feet touched
+bottom, and, taking the hand of Nellie in his own, they walked ashore.
+
+"Where is he?" asked the girl, the moment their feet rested on dry land.
+
+"He isn't far off," replied Nick, "and I don't think he cares to disturb
+us, but I would rather keep him at a distance."
+
+It may be set down as certain that Nick and Nellie were never in such
+serious peril from the beast as they believed. The bear was of the
+ordinary black kind, found in the Middle States, which is not
+particularly savage, and often passes a person without offering him
+harm.
+
+It is only when the hunter and his dogs assail the brute, or when he is
+driven by hunger, that he will boldly attack a person.
+
+Besides this, the animal of which I am speaking, had, no doubt, been
+routed out of his lair in the woods by the approach of the fire, and it
+was the most he could do to reach the pond in time to save himself. This
+accounted for his excessive fatigue, which made him loth to enter the
+water, where he knew he must swim, and which caused him, after entering
+it, immediately to make for the raft, that he might avail himself of its
+support.
+
+He had no purpose of molesting the children, and was too indolent to
+resent the insignificant attack made upon him by Nick with the stick.
+
+But it was not to be supposed that the boy and girl could feel any
+assurance on this point, and their fright was such as would have come
+to any older person placed as they were.
+
+It was only through the protection of a wonderful Providence that they
+had escaped thus far from the fate of hundreds who, in different parts
+of the country, fell victims to the innumerable forest fires.
+
+When the two emerged from the water, they saw nothing of the bear that
+had caused them so much disquietude. He had probably headed for the
+other side of the pond, and was now shut out from view by the volume of
+smoke which intervened.
+
+"He'll be here after us," said the alarmed Nellie, whose nervousness was
+excusable; "and I wish you would hurry away."
+
+"I don't think there is any need to be scared, after all," replied her
+brother; "the bear has all he can do to look after himself, without
+bothering us."
+
+The fugitives were in a pitiable plight. Nellie's garments were soaked
+by the water through which she had passed, but the heavy heat of the air
+prevented her suffering from cold, though the clinging garments caused
+her to feel ill at ease; and, like her tidy mother, she longed to be at
+home, that she might change them for clean, dry ones.
+
+When Nick found they had to leave the raft, he caught up his shoes, with
+the stockings stuffed in them, and, hastily tying the strings together,
+slung them around his neck. He did not forget, in the excitement of the
+moment, that they were indispensable.
+
+But there was no way of saving coat, vest and hat, without running more
+risk than any one ought to run, and the lad let them go, hoping that,
+possibly, he might recover them after a time.
+
+He had scarcely set his feet upon the ground, when he took them off
+again. The earth was baking hot to the water's edge, and a live ember,
+which the ashes concealed from sight, was revealed when the bare foot
+was placed upon it.
+
+Nick cooled his blistering toes, and then, as quick as possible, drew on
+his wet shoes and stockings.
+
+"I would be in a pretty fix if barefoot," said he, "I wouldn't have been
+able to walk home through these woods for a week or less."
+
+It was plain to be seen that the fury of the conflagration had spent
+itself, so far as it affected this portion of the wood. That tornado of
+the flame, which swept everything before it, had leaped across the pond,
+and was speeding onward until it should die out from want of fuel.
+
+In its path was the blackness of desolation. The trees were still
+burning, but it was in a smoldering, smoking way, with blazing branches
+here and there, dropping piecemeal to the ground. The flames, which
+charged forward as they do through the dry prairie grass, had passed by,
+and the brother and sister had now the opportunity to attempt to reach
+home.
+
+But it would be hard to overestimate the distress caused by the
+atmosphere which the forest fires left behind them. There are many gases
+and vapors which we cannot breathe; but the trouble about smoke is that
+although we can manage to get along with it when it is not too dense, it
+is excessively irritating to the lungs.
+
+Several minutes passed, during which little trouble was experienced,
+and then the two were forced to cough and gasp until they almost sank to
+the ground from exhaustion. Occasionally the vapor would lift, and,
+floating away, leave the air below comparatively pure, and then the
+black and blue atmosphere, heavy with impurities, would descend and wrap
+them about as with a garment.
+
+"There's one thing sure," said Nick, when he found himself able to speak
+with some degree of comfort.
+
+"What is that?" asked his sister.
+
+"This will gradually get better and better."
+
+"I don't see how it can get any worse," was the truthful answer of
+Nellie, who felt as though she had stood all she could bear.
+
+Since the danger of being caught in the flames was gone, the two were at
+liberty to venture in any direction they chose.
+
+"We'll make the start, any way!" said Nick, with his old resolution of
+manner; "keep close to me, and, if you see any new bears, don't run into
+the woods to hide without saying something to me."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII.
+
+BEAR AND FORBEAR.
+
+
+"See here," said Nick Ribsam, stopping suddenly, after taking only a few
+steps, "I don't like this idea of going home and leaving so many of my
+clothes behind. That's a good coat and vest, and the hat is my Sunday
+one."
+
+"You ain't going back to get them, Nick, when the bear is waiting for
+you!" exclaimed the sister; "if you do, I just think you haven't got any
+sense at all--now there! that's all there is about _that_."
+
+This was a severe denunciation, but it did not deter the lad from
+turning directly about and hurrying to the spot where he had landed,
+when forced to help Nellie ashore.
+
+A strong breeze was still blowing, so that the craft, whether the bear
+was clinging to it or not, would be sure to come to land again. Nick did
+not know that the animal had left it, and he was not foolish enough to
+invite the beast to assail him.
+
+The logs, relieved from their burden, were floating over the surface,
+and the lad caught sight of them but a short distance off, steadily
+approaching the shore.
+
+"The raft must have gone under with the coat, vest, and hat," he said,
+watching the floating mass, "and I should think my clothes would have
+been lost; but there is something on the logs that looks like my coat
+and vest. It would be odd if they had kept their place."
+
+Naturally, the whole attention of Nick was absorbed in this matter; and,
+when he found that the wind was carrying the raft and its freight toward
+another point, he moved along the margin so as to anticipate its
+arrival.
+
+As he did so, like the renowned Captain John Smith when pursued by
+Powhatan's warriors, he paid no attention to where his feet led him. He
+was studying the raft, as best he could through the smoky darkness, and,
+knowing the shore as well as he did, he saw no need of looking downward.
+
+All at once his feet struck a large, soft mass, and, before he could
+check himself, he pitched headlong over it, as though it were a bale of
+cloth in his path. The nimble boy was on his feet like a flash, and,
+quick as he was, he was not a moment too soon.
+
+He had caught the ominous growl, and he knew the bear had got in his way
+again, as it had persisted in doing before.
+
+It did seem singular that the boy and bruin should meet so often, and it
+may be that the animal, that was resting himself, lost patience over
+such persecution, for he raised his huge body and made for the
+frightened boy.
+
+It was an alarming situation for the latter, who did not lose his
+presence of mind. He knew much of the nature of the animal, though he
+had never before been brought face to face in this fashion with a wild
+one.
+
+Desperate as was the haste with which Nick Ribsam fled, he did not
+forget to run directly away from his sister, so as to prevent her
+becoming involved in this new danger.
+
+Nor did the lad make any outcry, that could only have resulted in
+frightening her, but he simply devoted all his energy to getting away
+from his pursuer, whose whole savage nature seemed to have been aroused
+by the last disturbance.
+
+Who shall not say that bruin did not identify the youngster as the one
+that had rapped him so smartly over the snout when he was seeking a
+resting-place on the raft? If such were the fact, it cannot be wondered
+that the beast pursued the fellow with such persistency.
+
+Nick Ribsam was considered a rapid runner by his playmates, but it took
+only a minute or two for him to find out he was no match for his
+pursuer, who, starting only a short distance to the rear, was
+overhauling him "hand-over-hand."
+
+The boy hoped that the scorching earth would keep the beast from chasing
+him with too much ardor, but it did not; and, as there was no other
+recourse, he ran to a sapling, up which he climbed with the celerity of
+a monkey.
+
+Even as it was, it was within a second of being too late. The bear was
+so close that, rising on his haunches, he reached his paws and grasped
+the lowermost foot of Nick, whose hair fairly rose on end, as he thought
+for the moment that he was going to be dragged down into the crushing
+embrace of the dreaded animal.
+
+But, fortunately, the shoe pulled off, and, before the bear could
+understand it, the supple lad was perched above his reach and looking
+down upon him.
+
+"Well," said Nick, with a sigh, "this is considerably more than I
+counted on. I didn't think, from the way you acted in the water, that
+you were anything but a big coward; but I'm thankful enough you didn't
+get your claws on me."
+
+The huge creature examined the shoe carefully and, finding there was no
+boy in it, dropped it to the ground, and, sitting on his haunches, again
+looked longingly upward at the fellow perched just above his reach, as
+though he understood what a choice dinner he would afford a bruin of his
+size.
+
+When he ran out his red tongue and licked his inky snout, Nick could not
+help laughing.
+
+"Not just yet, old fellow; I'd rather stay here two or three days than
+come down to you."
+
+When some minutes had passed, Nick began to feel that the situation had
+nothing funny in it at all. What more likely than that the beast, having
+made up his mind to take the next meal off a plump boy, would stay there
+until that same boy would be unable to keep his perch any longer, and
+would drop of his own accord, like a ripe apple.
+
+The question was a serious one indeed, and while the lad was trying hard
+to determine what was best to do, he heard Nellie calling to him. She,
+too, was becoming impatient over the long separation and was coming to
+find out what it meant.
+
+Nick shouted back for her not to approach, explaining that he was up a
+tree with a bear watching him, and that if she came any nearer the
+animal would be sure to change his attention to her.
+
+This was enough to keep any one at a respectful distance, but, when
+Nellie Ribsam heard the alarming announcement, she was determined on
+one thing: she would see for herself what sort of a picture was made by
+a boy up a tree with a black bear watching him as the one watched her
+two years before.
+
+Nick having warned her against coming any nigher, it followed that the
+temptation to do so was irresistible.
+
+The lifting of the smoke had let in some sunlight, and it did not take
+her long to reach a position from which she could look on the
+interesting scene.
+
+"Nick! Nick!" she called, in a guarded voice, not intended for the ears
+of the bear.
+
+The boy, alarmed for his sister's safety, turned toward the quarter
+whence it came, and saw the white face peering from behind the trunk of
+a tree no more than a hundred feet distant. He instantly gesticulated
+for her to keep out of sight.
+
+"You have done a silly thing, Nellie," said he, impatiently; "the bear
+is sure to see you, and if he does, it will be the last of you."
+
+"But I don't mean he shall see me," said the brave but not very prudent
+girl; "if he looks around, why I'll dodge my head back--My gracious!
+he's looking now!"
+
+And Nellie threw her head so far from the side around which she was
+peeping, that, if the bear had looked sharp, he would have detected the
+somewhat bedraggled hat on the other side of the charred trunk.
+
+Nick called to her to be more careful, as he plainly discerned her hat,
+and the head-gear vanished.
+
+The lad's fear was now on account of his sister, for he knew that so
+long as he himself could maintain his position in the tree, so long was
+he safe. The bear species cannot climb trees whose trunks are so small
+that their claws meet around them, and although this brute scratched at
+the sapling as though he meditated an attempt, yet he made none, but sat
+still, looking wistfully upward, and probably hopeful that the boy
+perched there would soon come down.
+
+"Keep yourself out of sight!" called Nick to Nellie, "for you can't do
+anything to help me."
+
+The girl understood this, and she began to believe, with Nick, that she
+had done an exceedingly foolish thing in venturing into the bear's field
+of vision in this fashion.
+
+And what was to be the end of this singular and most uncomfortable
+condition of affairs?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+For a half hour the situation remained unchanged. Nick Ribsam kept his
+perch in the branches of the sapling, and, before the end of the time
+named, he found the seat becoming so uncomfortable that he was sure he
+could not bear it much longer.
+
+The narrow limb on which he rested, while he held himself in place by
+grasping the sapling itself, seemed to grow narrower and sharper, while
+his own weight increased, until he believed it would be preferable to
+let go and hang on with his hands.
+
+It was not much better with Nellie, who had awakened to such a sense of
+her position that she did not dare to do more than peep out from where
+she stood, at rare intervals, quickly drawing back her head lest the
+savage animal should see her.
+
+The bear himself showed a patience which was astonishing, and was like
+that of the Esquimau, who never stirs a muscle for hour after hour,
+while sitting beside the air-hole in the ice, waiting for the seal to
+show his nose above the surface.
+
+Bruin moved more slightly now and then, but went no more than a dozen
+yards from the tree, and seemed never to take his eyes from his victim
+for more than a second or two.
+
+During these trying minutes, the smoke sometimes filled the air scarcely
+less than before and the eyes of the brother and sister smarted and
+stung and shed tears, and their lungs became sore from continual
+coughing, rendered the more distressing in the case of Nellie, who was
+obliged to suppress the noise by cramming her handkerchief in her mouth.
+
+But during the same period, the wits of Nick Ribsam were not idle. He
+had thought of sending Nellie home to bring her father to his
+assistance, but he was restrained by the fear that the bear would detect
+her, and, even if she should get away, he doubted whether she would be
+able to find her way through the woods to the open country beyond.
+
+Here and there the trees were burning, and the dry limbs lay on the
+ground, giving out the red glow of smoldering embers, or sending out
+little twists of smoke to join the enormous mass of vapor which hung
+like a pall over so many square miles of country.
+
+Nellie, for the twentieth time, leaned her head forward and looked out
+from behind the tree trunk that sheltered her. She saw the bear sitting
+on his haunches some twenty feet away, looking steadily upward, as
+though he were a charred stump, which could never change its posture or
+position. Nick rested uneasily on the narrow limb, when he made a
+movement which the quick-witted girl knew at once meant that he had
+resolved on trying to do something for himself.
+
+Carefully freeing his legs from the branch, he lowered himself so that
+he hung by his hands, within ten feet of the ground. Hanging only a
+second or two, he let go and dropped lightly upon his feet.
+
+The whole thing took less than a minute, but the bear had observed it
+almost as quickly as did Nellie, and the minute the lad struck the
+ground the beast was lumbering toward him.
+
+Poor, terrified Nellie screamed and ran from behind the tree, certain
+that it was all over with her brave brother; but the latter did not
+despair by any means. With astonishing celerity, he dashed to where a
+large pine branch lay on the ground, burned in two; and catching up one
+of the pieces, which was so hot that it scorched his fingers, he whirled
+it about with such quickness that the glowing end made one steady, even
+wheel of fire about his head. He recalled his experience in the woods
+two years before when hunting the other bear.
+
+While doing this, bruin was advancing rapidly on the boy, who kept
+circling the torch until the beast was within ten feet, by which time
+the stick was blazing as though it were a pine knot.
+
+Then, with a boyish shout, Nick extended his arm at full length,
+pointing the flaming torch straight at the head of his foe, as though he
+held a Damascus sword of needle-like sharpness which he meant to drive
+through the iron skull, and he strode directly at the beast with the
+step of a conqueror.
+
+Every animal, wild or domestic, dreads fire, and this strange attack was
+more than the bear could stand. Without the least attention to dignity,
+he turned about and swung off toward the lake, doubtless of the opinion
+that there alone he could find safety from the element that drove him
+thither in the first place.
+
+Nick shouted and broke into a run, and the bear did the same! Just under
+the tree, the lad stopped and put on his shoe, which had been somewhat
+damaged by the claws of the brute. Then, being well shod and in no
+further danger from the animal, on which he had turned the tables so
+unexpectedly, Nick joined his sister, still carrying his torch as a
+precaution in the event of bruin's changing his mind and making after
+him.
+
+But there was no danger of anything of the kind, and the bear was not
+seen to look behind him, even to learn whether the pursuit was kept up.
+
+"I guess I will give over my hunt for the rest of my clothes till some
+better time," said Nick, once more taking the hand of Nellie and
+starting up the bank of the stream which fed the pond, toward the bridge
+that had burned some time before.
+
+By carefully picking their path they reached it without mishap, being on
+the southern side, so that it was not necessary to ford it in order to
+continue the road homeward.
+
+The structure was an ordinary one, consisting of a single uncovered
+span, so that its loss was not serious, except on account of the
+inconvenience it would cause.
+
+The two stood several minutes looking upon the ruins, that were not very
+extensive, but their chief interest centered around the carcass of the
+mare lying at the bottom of the creek, where it had floated against the
+shore.
+
+The children were naturally attached to the animal, and there were tears
+in their eyes, when, with a deep sigh, they turned away and climbed up
+the steep bank to the level of the road and started for home.
+
+They had reason to doubt their ability to force their way through the
+several miles of forest remaining between them and the open country
+beyond, but they were resolved to do their utmost, for they dreaded
+staying any longer in the section where they had suffered and escaped so
+much.
+
+As has been stated, the fury of the conflagration had expended itself,
+and there was nothing to be feared from the scorching flames, which had
+confronted and endangered them shortly after they entered the woods, on
+their return.
+
+The road was strewn with burning debris, and many a time they were
+forced to stop, in doubt whether they could get by the obstruction but
+some way always opened: they would find a point where it could be
+leaped, or they would flank it by a little circuit through the woods
+themselves.
+
+In this manner they toiled on until half the distance was passed, when
+they were brought to a stand-still by a discovery which took away their
+breath for the time.
+
+They saw the ruins of something which they did not recognize until they
+drew near, when they discovered that an ordinary farmer's wagon, with
+its two horses, had been burned. Little more than the iron work of the
+body was left, and the animals seemed to have gone down side by side,
+where they lay burned and burst open by the flames, that were less
+merciful to them than to the brother and sister who had made such a
+gallant fight for life.
+
+The sight was sad enough, but it was rendered tenfold more so by the
+figure of the driver, only a few rods distant. When his team gave out he
+had probably leaped to the ground and started to run from the fire, but
+was overtaken and perished miserably.
+
+"How thankful we ought to be!" said Nellie, in a subdued voice, as they
+moved forward again.
+
+"So I am," was the fervent response of Nick, whose heart was melted with
+pity for the unfortunate stranger, and with thankfulness that he and
+Nellie had been selected by Heaven for such a signal display of mercy.
+
+They were in constant dread of coming upon similar scenes, but they
+were spared the sight, and, at the end of about an hour from the time of
+leaving the bridge, they emerged into the open country, where they were
+near their own home.
+
+The afternoon was pretty well gone, and the sky still wore that
+impressive appearance which we all remember well; but it was not so
+marked as a short time before, and was rapidly passing away.
+
+There was a great deal of smoke drifting and floating through the air,
+but it caused less inconvenience and annoyance than it did when they
+fled to the pond for safety.
+
+The children gave another expression of their gratitude, and then
+hastened toward the humble home, which was, indeed, the dearest spot on
+earth to them.
+
+The parents were full of anxiety, though they hoped that Nick had seen
+the danger, and had stayed in Dunbarton with horse and carriage.
+
+But the couple stood at the gate, shading their eyes, and looking
+yearningly down the road, in the hope of catching sight of the loved
+forms of the brave children.
+
+When they saw and recognized the figures, they rushed forth to meet
+them, with swelling hearts. Father and mother pressed them to their
+breasts, and the eyes of all were streaming with tears, for of Nick and
+Nellie might it not be said--"For these, my children, were dead, and are
+alive again: they were lost, and they are found?"
+
+When Nick had told the whole wonderful story, the father took his hand
+and said in his native tongue:
+
+"My boy, I have taught you that God helps them that help themselves. I
+am glad that at no time, so far as I can gather, did you despair. You
+and Nellie have been tried by fire, and have come out as pure gold.
+Heaven be praised for its mercies. The lesson you have learned will go
+with you through life. Never despair, but press onward and upward, and
+the reward shall be yours at last."
+
+And what did the good man say but that which our own beloved and mourned
+poet has so beautifully limned in lines that shall be as immortal as
+his own fragrant deeds and revered memory?
+
+    Footprints, that perhaps another,
+      Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
+    A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
+      Seeing, shall take heart again.
+    Let us then be up and doing,
+      With a heart for any fate,
+    Still achieving, still pursuing,
+      Learn to labor and to wait.
+
+
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+_The second volume of the Wild-Woods Series will be_ "On the Trail
+of the Moose."
+
+
+
+
+==THE FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS.==
+
+==BY==
+
+==HARRY CASTLEMON.==
+
+
+[Illustration: Specimen Cover of the Gunboat Series.]
+
+No author of the present day has become a greater favorite with boys
+than "Harry Castlemon:" every book by him is sure to meet with hearty
+reception by young readers generally. His naturalness and vivacity lead
+his readers from page to page with breathless interest, and when one
+volume is finished the fascinated reader, like Oliver Twist, asks "for
+more."
+
+*** Any volume sold separately.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==GUNBOAT SERIES.== By Harry Castlemon. 6
+vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box      ==$7 50==
+
+==Frank, the Young Naturalist==      ==1 25==
+
+==Frank in the Woods==               ==1 25==
+
+==Frank on the Prairie==             ==1 25==
+
+==Frank on a Gunboat==               ==1 25==
+
+==Frank before Vicksburg==           ==1 25==
+
+==Frank on the Lower Mississippi==   ==1 25==
+
+==GO AHEAD SERIES.== By Harry Castlemon. 3
+vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==Go Ahead;== or, The Fisher Boy's Motto               ==1 25==
+
+==No Moss;== or, The Career of a Rolling Stone         ==1 25==
+
+==Tom Newcombe;== or, The Boy of Bad Habits            ==1 25==
+
+==ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.== By Harry
+Castlemon. 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,
+extra, printed in colors. In box                      ==$3 75==
+
+==Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho==                        ==1 25==
+
+==Frank among the Rancheros==                          ==1 25==
+
+==Frank in the Mountains==                             ==1 25==
+
+==SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.== By Harry
+Castlemon. 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,
+extra, printed in colors. In box                      ==$3 75==
+
+==The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle==                 ==1 25==
+
+==The Sportsman's Club Afloat==                        ==1 25==
+
+==The Sportsman's Club among the Trappers==            ==1 25==
+
+==FRANK NELSON SERIES.== By Harry Castlemon
+3 vols. 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra,
+printed in colors. In box                             ==$3 75==
+
+==Snowed Up;== or, The Sportsman's Club in the Mts.    ==1 25==
+
+==Frank Nelson in the Forecastle;== or, The Sportsman's
+Club among the Whalers                                 ==1 25==
+
+==The Boy Traders;== or, The Sportsman's Club among
+the Boers                                              ==1 25==
+
+==BOY TRAPPER SERIES.== By Harry Castlemon.
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==The Buried Treasure;== or, Old Jordan's "Haunt"      ==1 25==
+
+==The Boy Trapper;== or, How Dave Filled the Order     ==1 25==
+
+==The Mail Carrier==                                   ==1 25==
+
+==ROUGHING IT SERIES.== By Harry Castlemon.
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==George in Camp;== or, Life on the Plains             ==1 25==
+
+==George at the Wheel;== or, Life in a Pilot House.    ==1 25==
+
+==George at the Fort;== or, Life Among the Soldiers.   ==1 25==
+
+==ROD AND GUN SERIES.== By Harry Castlemon.
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==Don Gordon's Shooting Box==                          ==1 25==
+
+==Rod and Gun==                                        ==1 25==
+
+==The Young Wild Fowlers==                             ==1 25==
+
+==FOREST AND STREAM SERIES.== By Harry
+Castlemon. 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,
+extra, printed in colors. In box                      ==$3 75==
+
+==Joe Wayring at Home;== or, Story of a Fly Rod        ==1 25==
+
+==Snagged and Sunk;== or, The Adventures of a Canvas
+Canoe                                                  ==1 25==
+
+==Steel Horse;== or, The Rambles of a Bicycle          ==1 25==
+
+==WAR SERIES.== By Harry Castlemon. 3 vols.,
+12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed in
+colors. In box                                        ==$3 75==
+
+==True to his Colors==                                 ==1 25==
+
+==Rodney, the Partisan==                               ==1 25==
+
+==OUR FELLOWS;== or, Skirmishes with the Swamp
+Dragoons. By Harry Castlemon. 16mo. Fully illustrated
+Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In box                ==1 25==
+
+==Marcy, the Blockade Runner==                         ==1 25==
+
+
+
+
+==Alger's
+Renowned
+Books.==
+
+==BY==
+
+==Horatio
+Alger, Jr.==
+
+[Illustration: Specimen Cover of the Ragged Dick Series.]
+
+Horatio Alger, Jr., has attained distinction as one of the most popular
+writers of books for boys, and the following list comprises all of his
+best books.
+
+*** Any volume sold separately.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==RAGGED DICK SERIES.== By Horatio Alger,
+Jr. 6 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra,
+printed in colors. In box                             ==$7 50==
+
+==Ragged Dick;== or, Street Life in New York           ==1 25==
+
+==Fame and Fortune;== or, The Progress of Richard
+Hunter                                                 ==1 25==
+
+==Mark, the Match Boy;== or, Richard Hunter's Ward     ==1 25==
+
+==Rough and Ready;== or, Life among the New York
+Newsboys                                               ==1 25==
+
+==Ben, the Luggage Boy;== or, Among the Wharves        ==1 25==
+
+==Rufus and Rose;== or, the Fortunes of Rough and
+Ready                                                  ==1 25==
+
+==TATTERED TOM SERIES.== (FIRST SERIES.)
+By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated
+Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In box                ==5 00==
+
+==Tattered Tom;== or, The Story of a Street Arab       ==1 25==
+
+==Paul, the Peddler;== or, The Adventures of a Young
+Street Merchant                                        ==1 25==
+
+==Phil, the Fiddler;== or, The Young Street Musician   ==1 25==
+
+==Slow and Sure;== or, From the Sidewalk to the Shop   ==1 25==
+
+==TATTERED TOM SERIES.== (SECOND SERIES.)
+4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$5 00==
+
+==Julius;== or the Street Boy Out West                 ==1 25==
+
+==The Young Outlaw;== or, Adrift in the World          ==1 25==
+
+==Sam's Chance and How He Improved It==                ==1 25==
+
+==The Telegraph Boy==                                  ==1 25==
+
+==LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.== (FIRST SERIES.)
+By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated
+Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In box               ==$5 00==
+
+==Luck and Pluck;== or John Oakley's Inheritance       ==1 25==
+
+==Sink or Swim;== or, Harry Raymond's Resolve          ==1 25==
+
+==Strong and Steady;== or, Paddle Your Own Canoe.      ==1 25==
+
+==Strive and Succeed;== or, The Progress of Walter
+Conrad                                                 ==1 25==
+
+==LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.== (Second
+Series.) By Horatio Alger, Jr. 3 vols., 12mo.
+Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In
+box                                                   ==$5 00==
+
+==Try and Trust;== or, The Story of a Bound Boy        ==1 25==
+
+==Bound to Rise;== or Harry Walton's Motto             ==1 25==
+
+==Risen from the Ranks;== or, Harry Walton's Success   ==1 25==
+
+==Herbert Carter's Legacy;== or, The Inventor's Son.   ==1 25==
+
+==CAMPAIGN SERIES.== By Horatio Alger, Jr. 3
+vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==Frank's Campaign;== or, The Farm and the Camp        ==1 25==
+
+==Paul Prescott's Charge==                             ==1 25==
+
+==Charlie Codman's Cruise==                            ==1 25==
+
+==BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.== By Horatio
+Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,
+extra, printed in colors. In box                      ==$5 00==
+
+==Brave and Bold;== or, The Story of a Factory Boy     ==1 25==
+
+==Jack's Ward;== or, The Boy Guardian                  ==1 25==
+
+==Shifting for Himself;== or, Gilbert Greyson's
+Fortunes                                               ==1 25==
+
+==Wait and Hope;== or, Ben Bradford's Motto            ==1 25==
+
+==PACIFIC SERIES.== By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4
+vols. 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$5 00==
+
+==The Young Adventurer;== or, Tom's Trip Across
+the Plains                                             ==1 25==
+
+==The Young Miner;== or, Tom Nelson in California      ==1 25==
+
+==The Young Explorer;== or, Among the Sierras          ==1 25==
+
+==Ben's Nugget;== or, A Boy's Search for Fortune. A
+Story of the Pacific Coast                             ==1 25==
+
+==ATLANTIC SERIES.== By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4
+vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$5 00==
+
+==The Young Circus Rider;== or, The Mystery of
+Robert Rudd                                            ==1 25==
+
+==Do and Dare;== or, A Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune   ==1 25==
+
+==Hector's Inheritance;== or, Boys of Smith Institute  ==1 25==
+
+==Helping Himself;== or, Grant Thornton's Ambition     ==1 25==
+
+==WAY TO SUCCESS SERIES.== By Horatio
+Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,
+extra, printed in colors. In box                      ==$5 00==
+
+==Bob Burton==                                         ==1 25==
+
+==The Store Boy==                                      ==1 25==
+
+==Luke Walton==                                        ==1 25==
+
+==Struggling Upward==                                  ==1 25==
+
+==Five Hundred Dollars Legacy.== By Horatio
+Alger, Jr. 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra,
+printed in colors                                      ==1 25==
+
+==A
+New Series
+of Books.==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==Indian Life
+and
+Character
+Founded on
+Historical
+Facts.==
+
+[Illustration: Specimen Cover of the Wyoming Series.]
+
+==By Edward T. Ellis.==
+
+*** Any volume sold separately.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==BOY PIONEER SERIES.== By Edward S. Ellis.
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==Ned in the Block House;== or, Life on the Frontier   ==1 25==
+
+==Ned in the Woods.== A Tale of the Early Days in
+the West                                               ==1 25==
+
+==Ned on the River==                                   ==1 25==
+
+==DEERFOOT SERIES.== By Edward S. Ellis. In
+box containing the following. 3 vols., 12mo.
+Illustrated                                           ==$3 75==
+
+==Hunters of the Ozark==                               ==1 25==
+
+==Camp in the Mountains==                              ==1 25==
+
+==The Last War Trail==                                 ==1 25==
+
+==LOG CABIN SERIES.== By Edward S. Ellis.
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==Lost Trail==                                        ==$1 25==
+
+==Camp-Fire and Wigwam==                               ==1 25==
+
+==Footprints in the Forest==                           ==1 25==
+
+==WYOMING SERIES.== By Edward S. Ellis. 3
+vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==Wyoming==                                            ==1 25==
+
+==Storm Mountain==                                     ==1 25==
+
+==Cabin in the Clearing==                              ==1 25==
+
+==Through Forest and Fire.== By Edward S. Ellis.
+12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed in
+colors      ==1 25==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==By C.A. Stephens.==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==Rare books for boys--bright, breezy, wholesome and instructive; full of
+adventure and incident, and information upon natural history. They blend
+instruction with amusement--contain much useful and valuable information
+upon the habits of animals, and plenty of adventure, fun and jollity.==
+
+==CAMPING OUT SERIES.== By C.A. Stephens.
+6 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box      ==$7 50==
+
+==Camping Out.== As recorded by "Kit"      ==1 25==
+
+==Left on Labrador==; or The Cruise of the Schooner
+Yacht "Curfew." As recorded by "Wash"      ==1 25==
+
+==Off to the Geysers==; or, The Young Yachters in Iceland
+As recorded by "Wade"      ==1 25==
+
+==Lynx Hunting.== From Notes by the author of
+"Camping Out"      ==1 25==
+
+==Fox Hunting.== As recorded by "Raed"      ==1 25==
+
+==On the Amazon==; or, The Cruise of the "Rambler."
+As recorded by "Wash"      ==1 25==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==By J.T. Trowbridge.==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==These stories will rank among the best of Mr. Trowbridge's books for the
+young--and he has written some of the best of our juvenile literature.==
+
+==JACK HAZARD SERIES.== By J.T. Trowbridge.
+6 vols., 12mo. Fully Illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box      ==$7 50==
+
+==Jack Hazard and His Fortunes==                        ==$1 25==
+
+==A Chance for Himself;== or, Jack Hazard and his
+Treasure                                                 ==1 25==
+
+
+=Doing His Best==                                        ==1 25==
+
+==Fast Friends==                                         ==1 25==
+
+==The Young Surveyor;== or, Jack on the Prairies         ==1 25==
+
+==Lawrence's Adventures Among the Ice Cutters==
+Glass Makers, Coal Miners, Iron Men and Ship Builders    ==1 25==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==--GOOD BOOKS--==
+
+==Suitable for Girls between the Ages of 12 and 15.==
+
+==Ways and Means.== A Story for girls. By Margaret
+Vandegrift. With four illustrations. 12mo.
+Cloth, extra                                               ==1 50==
+
+==The Queen's Body-Guard.== A Story for Girls. By
+Margaret Vandegrift. With four illustrations. 12mo.
+Cloth, extra                                               ==1 50==
+
+==Rose Raymond's Wards.== A Story for Girls. By
+Margaret Vandegrift. Illustrated with four engravings
+on wood. 12mo. Cloth, extra                                ==1 50==
+
+==Doris and Theodora.== A Story for Girls. By Margaret
+Vandegrift. Illustrated with four engravings on
+wood. 12mo. Cloth, extra                                   ==1 50==
+
+==Dr. Gilbert's Daughters.== A Story for Girls. By
+Margaret Harriet Mathews. Illustrated with four engravings
+on wood. 12mo. Cloth, extra                                ==1 50==
+
+==Esther's Fortune.== A Romance for Girls. By Lucy
+C. Lillie. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth, extra, brown
+and gold                                                   ==1 50==
+
+==Helen Glenn;== or, My Mother's Enemy. A Story for
+Girls. By Lucy C. Lillie. Illustrated with eight illustrations
+12mo. Cloth, extra                                         ==1 50==
+
+==The Squire's Daughter.== By Lucy C. Lillie. 12mo.
+Illustrated. Cloth, extra                                  ==1 50==
+
+==For Honor's Sake.== By Lucy C. Lillie. 12mo.
+Illustrated. Cloth, extra                                  ==1 50==
+
+==Marion Berkley.== A Story for Girls. By Lizzie B.
+Comins (Laura Caxton). 12mo. Illustrated. Cloth,
+extra, brown and gold                                      ==1 25==
+
+==Hartwell Farm.== A Story for Girls. By Lizzie B.
+Comins (Laura Caxton). 12mo. Illustrated. Cloth,
+extra, brown and gold                                      ==1 25==
+
+==THE HANDSOMEST AND CHEAPEST GIFT BOOKS.==
+
+==The "Bells" Series.==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The "BELLS" Series has been undertaken by the publishers with a view to
+issue original illustrated poems of a high character, at a price within
+the reach of all classes.
+
+Small 4to. Cloth, gilt edges        $1 50
+Ivory surface                        1 50
+Embossed calf, gilt edges            1 50
+
+==GEMS FROM TENNYSON.==
+
+By ALFRED TENNYSON. Elegantly illustrated by Hammatt Billings.
+
+==BEAUTIES OF TENNYSON.==
+
+By ALFRED TENNYSON. Elegantly illustrated with twenty
+engravings, from original drawings by Frederic B. Schell. Beautifully
+printed on the finest plate paper.
+
+==FROM GREENLAND'S ICY MOUNTAINS.==
+
+By BISHOP HEBER. Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two
+engravings, from original drawings by Frederic B. Schell. Beautifully
+printed on the finest plate paper.
+
+==LADY CLARE.==
+
+By ALFRED TENNYSON. Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two
+engravings, from original drawings by Alfred Fredericks, F.S. Church,
+Harry Fenn, F.B. Schell, E.P. Garret and Granville Perkins. Beautifully
+printed on the finest plate paper.
+
+==THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.==
+
+By CLEMENT C. MOORE. Never before has this popular poem--a
+favorite with both the old and the young--been presented in such a
+beautiful dress. It is elegantly illustrated with twenty-two engravings,
+from original drawings by F.B. Schell, W.T. Smedley, A. Fredericks and
+H.R. Poore.
+
+==BINGEN ON THE RHINE.==
+
+By CAROLINE E. NORTON. Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two
+engravings, from original drawings by W.T. Smedley, F.B. Schell, A.
+Fredericks, Granville Perkins and E.P. Garrett.
+
+==THE BELLS.==
+
+By EDGAR ALLAN POE. Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two
+engravings, from original drawings by F.O.C. Darley, A. Fredericks,
+Granville Perkins and others.
+
+==THE DESERTED VILLAGE.==
+
+By OLIVER GOLDSMITH. Elegantly illustrated with thirty-five
+engravings, from drawings by Hammatt Billings.
+
+==THE COTTER'S SATURDAY NIGHT.==
+
+By ROBERT BURNS. Elegantly illustrated with fifty engravings,
+from drawings by Chapman.
+
+
+
+
+==Standard Histories.==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==History of England, from the Accession of
+James the Second.== By Thomas Babington
+Macaulay. _Standard edition._ With a steel portrait
+of the author. Printed from new electrotype plates
+from the last English edition. Being by far the most
+correct edition in the American market. 5 vols.,
+12mo. Cloth, extra, per set                               ==$5 00==
+
+Sheep, marbled edges, per set                              ==7 50==
+
+Half Russia (imitation), marbled edges                     ==7 50==
+
+Half calf, gilt                                           ==10 00==
+
+
+==History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman
+Empire.== By Edward Gibbon. With notes by Rev.
+H.H. Milman. _Standard edition._ To which is
+added a complete Index of the work. A new edition
+from entirely new stereotype plates. With portrait on
+steel. 5 vols., 12mo. Cloth, extra, per set                ==5 00==
+
+Sheep, marbled edges, per set                              ==7 50==
+
+Half Russia (imitation), marbled edges,                    ==7 50==
+
+Half calf, gilt, per set                                  ==10 00==
+
+
+==History of England, from the Invasion of
+Julius Cæsar to the Abdication of James the
+Second, 1688.== By David Hume. _Standard
+edition._ With the author's last corrections and
+improvements to which is prefixed a short
+account of his life, written by himself. With a
+portrait on steel. A new edition from entirely
+new stereotype plates. 5 vols., 12mo. Cloth, extra,
+per set                                                    ==5 00==
+
+Sheep, marbled edges, per set                              ==7 50==
+
+Half Russia (imitation), marbled edges                     ==7 50==
+
+Half calf, gilt                                           ==10 00==
+
+
+
+
+==Miscellaneous.==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==A Dictionary of the Bible.== Comprising its Antiquities
+Biography, Geography, Natural History and
+Literature. Edited by William Smith, LL.D. Revised
+and adapted to the present use of Sunday-school
+Teachers and Bible Students by Revs. F.N. and
+M.A. Peloubet. With eight Colored maps and 440
+engravings on wood. 8vo. Cloth, extra                     ==$2 00==
+
+Sheep, marbled edges                                       ==3 00==
+
+Half morocco, gilt top                                     ==3 50==
+
+==History of the Civil War in America.== By the
+Comte de Paris. Translated with the approval of the
+author. With maps faithfully engraved from the originals
+and printed in three colors. 8vo.
+
+Cloth, extra, per vol.                                     ==3 50==
+
+Red cloth, extra, Roxburgh style, uncut edges, per vol.    ==3 50==
+
+Sheep, library style, per vol.                             ==4 50==
+
+Half Turkey morocco, per vol.                              ==6 00==
+
+Volumes I, II, III and IV now ready, put up in a neat
+box, or any volume sold separately.
+
+==The Battle of Gettysburg.== By the Comte de Paris.
+With maps. 8vo. Cloth, extra                               ==1 50==
+
+==Comprehensive Biographical Dictionary.== Embracing
+accounts of the most eminent persons of all
+ages, nations and professions. By E.A. Thomas.
+Crown 8vo.
+
+Cloth, extra, gilt top                                     ==2 50==
+
+Sheep, marbled edges                                       ==3 00==
+
+Half morocco, gilt top                                     ==3 50==
+
+Half Russia, gilt top                                      ==4 50==
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+==The Amateur Photographer.== A manual of photographic
+manipulations intended especially for beginners
+and amateurs, with suggestions as to the choice of
+apparatus and of processes. By Ellerslie Wallace,
+Jr., M.D. New edition, with two new chapters on
+paper negatives and microscopic photography. 12mo.
+Limp morocco, sprinkled edges                              ==1 00==
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+==Interest Tables.== Containing accurate calculations of
+interest at 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 3-1/2, 4, 4-1/2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10
+per cent. per annum, both simple and compound, on
+all sums from $1.00 to $10.00, and from one day to six
+years. Also some very valuable tables, calculated by
+John E. Coffin. 8vo. Cloth, extra                         ==$1 00==
+
+==England, Picturesque and Descriptive.== A
+Reminiscence of Travel. By Joel Cook, author of
+"A Holiday Tour in Europe," "Brief Summer Rambles"
+etc. Elegantly illustrated with 487 engravings
+on wood. 4to. Cloth, extra                                 ==7 50==
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+Half calf, gilt, marbled edges                            ==10 00==
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+Half Morocco, full gilt edges                             ==10 00==
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+Full Turkey morocco, gilt edges                           ==15 00==
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+
+==The Waverley Novels.== By Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
+23 vols.
+
+_Household Edition._ Illustrated. 12mo.
+     Cloth, extra, per set                                ==23 00==
+     Half calf, gilt, per set                             ==46 00==
+     Half morocco, gilt top                               ==46 00==
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+_Universe Edition._ Printed on thin paper, and containing
+one illustration to the volume. 25 vols., 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra, per vol.                                       ==75==
+
+_World Edition._ 12 vols., thick 12mo.
+
+(Sold in sets only.) Cloth, extra                         ==18 00==
+
+Half im't. Russia, marbled edges                          ==24 00==
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+==Captain Jack the Scout;== or, The Indian Wars
+about Old Fort Duquesne. An Historical Novel, with
+copious notes. By Charles McKnight. With eight
+engravings. 12mo. Cloth, extra                             ==1 50==
+
+==Ladies' and Gentlemen's Etiquette.== A Complete
+Manual of the Manners and Dress of American
+Society. Containing forms of Letters, Invitations, Acceptances
+and Regrets. By E.B. Duffey. 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra                                               ==1 50==
+
+==The Count of Monte Cristo.== By Alexandre
+Dumas. Complete in one volume, with two illustrations
+by George G. White. 12mo. Cloth, extra                     ==1 25==
+
+==The Iliad of Homer Rendered into English
+Blank Verse.== By Edward, Earl of Derby. With
+a biographical sketch of Lord Derby by R. Shelton
+Mackenzie, D.C.L. Popular edition. Two vols. in
+one. 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra                                              ==$1 50==
+
+==Ten Nights in a Bar Room and What I Saw
+There.== By T.S. Arthur. Entirely new edition from
+new electrotype plates. Illustrated. 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra                                               ==1 25==
+
+
+==Jane Eyre.== By Charlotte Bronté (Currer Bell). New
+Library Edition. With five illustrations by E.M.
+Wimperis. 12mo. Cloth, extra                               ==1 00==
+
+==Shirley.== By Charlotte Bronté (Currer Bell). New
+Library Edition. With five illustrations by E.M.
+Wimperis. 12mo. Cloth, extra                               ==1 00==
+
+==Villette.== By Charlotte Bronté (Currer Bell). New
+Library Edition. With five illustrations by E.M.
+Wimperis. 12mo. Cloth, extra                               ==1 00==
+
+==The Professor==, ==Emma== and ==Poems==. By Charlotte
+Bronté (Currer Bell). New Library Edition. With
+five illustrations by E.M. Wimperis. 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra, black and gold                               ==1 00==
+
+The four volumes, forming the complete works of Charlotte
+Bronté, in a neat box.
+
+Cloth, extra, black and gold, per set                      ==4 00==
+
+Fancy cloth, paper label, gilt top, uncut edges            ==5 00==
+
+Half calf, gilt, per set                                   ==8 00==
+
+==History of Scotland.== (Tales of a Grandfather.)
+By Sir Walter Scott. 3 vols., 12mo. Cloth, plain           ==3 00==
+
+Half calf, gilt tops                                       ==6 00==
+
+Half morocco, gilt tops                                    ==6 00==
+
+
+==Tales of a Grandfather.== By Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
+4 vols. Uniform with the Waverley Novels.
+
+
+==Household Edition.== Illustrated. 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra, per vol.                                     ==1 00==
+
+Sheep, marbled edges, per vol.                             ==1 50==
+
+Half calf, gilt, marbled edges, per vol.                   ==3 00==
+
+==Ten Thousand a Year.== By Samuel C. Warren,
+author of "The Diary of a London Physician." A
+new edition, carefully revised, with three illustrations
+by George G. White. 12mo. Cloth, extra                    ==$1 50==
+
+==The Works of Flavius Josephus.== Comprising the
+Antiquities of the Jews; a History of the Jewish Wars
+and a Life of Flavius Josephus, written by himself.
+Translated from the original Greek by William
+Whiston, A.M. 8vo. Cloth, plain                            ==2 00==
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+Sheep, marbled edges, library style                        ==3 00==
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+Embossed leather, "new style"                              ==3 50==
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+Morocco, gilt edges                                        ==5 00==
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+This is the largest type one volume edition published.
+
+==Stanley and the Congo.==--Explorations and Achievements
+in the Wilds of Africa of Henry M. Stanley.
+Also, a full description of his perilous descent, thrilling
+adventures and late labors on the Congo River. Together
+with an account of the expedition to the Central
+Lake Regions, by Sir Samuel W. Baker, and the journey
+across Africa in 1874-75, and the discoveries made by
+Lieut. V.S. Cameron. By J.F. Packard, author of
+"Young Folks' History of the United States," etc., etc.
+Fully illustrated. 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra, black and gold                               ==1 50==
+
+==Cookery from Experience.== A Practical Guide for
+Housekeepers in the Preparation of Every-day Meals,
+containing more than One Thousand Domestic Recipes,
+mostly tested by Personal Experience, with Suggestions
+for Meals, List of Meats and Vegetables in
+Season, etc. By Mrs. Sara T. Paul. 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra                                               ==1 50==
+
+==The Imitation of Christ.== By Thomas à Kempis.
+New and best edition, from entirely new electrotype
+plates, single column, large, clear type. 18mo.
+
+PLAIN EDITION, ROUND CORNERS.
+
+1. Cloth, extra, red edges                                   ==50==
+2. French seal, limp, gilt edges                             ==75==
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+G. Polished, Persian calf, limp, red and gold edges        ==1 25==
+L. Persian calf, line pattern, limp, red and gold edges    ==1 50==
+
+
+
+
+==THE==
+
+==Fireside Encyclopædia of Poetry==
+
+COLLECTED AND ARRANGED
+
+==By HENRY T. COATES.==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+27th edition, enlarged and thoroughly revised, and containing portraits
+of prominent American poets, with facsimiles of their handwriting.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Imperial 8vo., cloth, extra, gilt side and edges          ==$5 00==
+Half calf, gilt                                            ==7 50==
+Half morocco, antique, gilt edges                          ==7 50==
+Turkey morocco, antique, full gilt edges                  ==10 00==
+Tree calf                                                 ==12 00==
+Plush, padded sides, nickel lettering                     ==14 00==
+
+The remarkable success that has attended the publication of "The
+Fireside Encyclopædia of Poetry"--26 editions having been printed--has
+induced the author to thoroughly revise it, and to make it in every way
+worthy of the high place it has attained. About one hundred and fifty
+new poems have been inserted, and the work now contains nearly fourteen
+hundred poems, representing four hundred and fifty authors, English and
+American. The work is now illustrated by finely-engraved portraits of
+many prominent poets, with their signatures and facsimiles of their
+handwriting.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==The Children's Book of Poetry.==
+
+Compiled by HENRY T. COATES.
+
+With nearly 200 illustrations. The most complete collection of poetry
+for children ever published. 4to.
+
+Cloth, extra, gilt edges                                   ==3 00==
+Full Turkey morocco, gilt edges                            ==7 50==
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Through Forest and Fire, by Edward Ellis
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+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of Through Forest and Fire by Edward S. Ellis.
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Through Forest and Fire, by Edward Ellis
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Through Forest and Fire
+       Wild-Woods Series No. 1
+
+Author: Edward Ellis
+
+Release Date: August 8, 2005 [EBook #16472]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THROUGH FOREST AND FIRE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Bethanne M. Simms, Janet Blenkinship and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<p><a name="Page_0" id="Page_0"></a></p>
+
+
+<p><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1"></a></p>
+
+
+
+<h2><i>WILD-WOODS SERIES&mdash;No. 1.</i></h2>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ffcover.jpg" alt="cover" title="cover" /></div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h2>THROUGH FOREST AND FIRE</h2>
+
+<h3 class="smcap">by</h3>
+
+<h3>EDWARD S. ELLIS,</h3>
+
+<h4 class="smcap">author of "young pioneer series," "log cabin
+series," "deerfoot series," "wyoming
+series," etc., etc.</h4>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h4>PHILADELPHIA:<br />
+PORTER &amp; COATES.</h4>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/image001.jpg" alt="'Heavenly Father! please take care of me,' prayed Nellie." title="Heavenly Father! please take care of me, prayed Nellie." /></div>
+<p class='center'><b>"Heavenly Father! please take care of me," prayed Nellie.</b></p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2"></a></p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class='center smcap'>copyright, 1891,<br />
+by<br />
+porter &amp; coates.</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3"></a></p>
+<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents">
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.&mdash;NICK</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.&mdash;SCHOOL DAYS</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.&mdash;A MATHEMATICAL DISCUSSION</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.&mdash;LOST</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.&mdash;THE PARTY OF SEARCH</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.&mdash;GROPING IN DARKNESS</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.&mdash;AN ALARMING DISCOVERY</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.&mdash;STARTLING FOOTPRINTS</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.&mdash;THE LITTLE WANDERER</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.&mdash;IN GREAT DANGER</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.&mdash;GOTT SEI DANK!</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.&mdash;OMINOUS PREPARATIONS</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.&mdash;THE BEAR HUNTERS</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.&mdash;A RECRUIT</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.&mdash;A SURPRISE</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.&mdash;THE DINNER IN THE WOODS</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.&mdash;A TEST OF MARKSMANSHIP</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.&mdash;A QUAIL</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.&mdash;AN UNEXPECTED LESSON</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.&mdash;BOWSER PROVES HIMSELF OF SOME USE</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.&mdash;FACE TO FACE</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.&mdash;THE "VACANT CHAIR"</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.&mdash;HUNTING A BUCK</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.&mdash;HUNTED BY A BUCK</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.&mdash;THE CAMP FIRE</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.&mdash;AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.&mdash;WAS IT A JOKE?</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.&mdash;THE TRAIL OF THE BEAR</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.&mdash;HELP! HELP!</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX.&mdash;A FRIEND IN NEED</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI.&mdash;THE "DARK DAY" OF SEPTEMBER, 1881</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII.&mdash;THE BURNING FOREST</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII.&mdash;THROUGH THE FIRE</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV.&mdash;CALLING IN VAIN</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV.&mdash;WHAT FRIGHTENED NELLIE</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">CHAPTER XXXVI.&mdash;AN UNWELCOME PASSENGER</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">CHAPTER XXXVII.&mdash;A BRAVE STRUGGLE</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII">CHAPTER XXXVIII.&mdash;BEAR AND FORBEAR</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">CHAPTER XXXIX.&mdash;CONCLUSION</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+<p><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5"></a></p>
+
+
+<h2>THROUGH FOREST AND FIRE;</h2>
+
+<h3>OR,</h3>
+
+<h4>"God Helps Them that Help Themselves."</h4>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3>
+
+<h4>NICK.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Nicholas Ribsam was a comical fellow from his earliest babyhood, and had
+an original way of doing almost everything he undertook.</p>
+
+<p>When he became big enough to sit on the porch of the humble little home,
+where he was born, and stare with his great round eyes at the world as
+it went by, that world, whether on horseback, in carriage, or on foot,
+was sure to smile at the funny-looking baby.</p>
+
+<p>Nick, although born in western Pennsylvania, was as thoroughly Dutch as
+if he had first opened his eyes on the banks of the Zuyder<a name="Page_6" id="Page_6"></a> Zee, in the
+lowlands of Holland. His parents had come from that part of the world
+which has produced so many fine scholars and done so much for science
+and literature. They talked the language of the Fatherland, although
+they occasionally ventured on very broken English for the instruction of
+the boy and girl which heaven had given them.</p>
+
+<p>When Nick was a year old, he seemed as broad as he was long, and his
+round, red cheeks, big, honest eyes, and scanty hair, which stood out in
+every direction, always brought a smile to whomsoever looked at him.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the Dutchest baby I ever saw!" exclaimed a young man, who, as he
+threw back his head and laughed, expressed the opinion of about every
+one that stopped to admire the youngster.</p>
+
+<p>When we add that Nick was remarkably good natured, his popularity will
+be understood. Days and weeks passed without so much as a whimper being
+heard from him. If his mother forgot she was the owner of such a prize,
+and allowed him to remain on the porch until he was chilled through or
+half famished, she was <a name="Page_7" id="Page_7"></a>pretty sure to find him smiling, when she
+suddenly awakened to her duties respecting the little fellow.</p>
+
+<p>Several times he tipped over and rolled off the porch, bumping his head
+against the stones. A hoarse cry instantly made known the calamity but
+by the time he was snatched up (often head downward) his face was
+illumined again by his enormous grin, even though the big teardrops
+stood on his cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>When he grew so as to be able to stand with the help of something which
+he could grasp, a board about a foot and a half high was placed across
+the lower part of the open door to prevent him getting outside.</p>
+
+<p>The first day fat little Nick was confronted with this obstruction he
+fell over it, out upon the porch. How he managed to do such a wonderful
+thing puzzled father and mother, who half believed some person or animal
+must have "boosted" him over; but, as there was no other person in sight
+and they did not own a dog, the explanation was not satisfactory.</p>
+
+<p>True, they had a big Maltese cat, but he was hardly strong enough, even
+if he had the <a name="Page_8" id="Page_8"></a>disposition, to hoist a plump baby over such a gate, out
+of pure mischief.</p>
+
+<p>But the most remarkable thing took place the next week, when Nick not
+only fell out of the door and over the obstruction, but a few minutes
+later fell in again. In fact, it looked as if from that time forward
+Nick Ribsam's position was inverted almost as often as it was upright.</p>
+
+<p>"There's one thing I want my little boy to learn," said the father, as
+he took him on his knee and talked in the language of his Fatherland
+"and that is, 'God helps them that help themselves.' Don't ever forget
+it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yaw, I ish not forgots him," replied the youngster, staring in the
+broad face of his parent, and essaying to make use of the little English
+he had picked up.</p>
+
+<p>The good father and mother acted on this principle from the beginning.
+When Nick lost his balance he was left to help himself up again; when he
+went bumping all the way down the front steps, halting a moment on each
+one, his father complacently smoked his long pipe and waited to see how
+the boy was <a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a>going to get back, while the mother did not think it worth
+while to leave her household duties to look at the misfortunes of the
+lad.</p>
+
+<p>"God helps them that help themselves."</p>
+
+<p>There is a great deal in this expression, and the father of Master
+Nicholas Ribsam seemed to take in the whole far-reaching truth. "You
+must do everything you possibly can," he said, many a time; "you must
+use your teeth, your hands, and your feet to hang on; you must never let
+go; you must hammer away; you must always keep your powder dry; you must
+fight to the last breath, and all the time ask God to help you pull
+through, and <i>He'll do it!</i>"</p>
+
+<p>This was the creed of Gustav Ribsam and his wife, and it was the creed
+which the children drew in with their breath, as may be said; it was
+such a grand faith that caused Nick to develop into a sturdy,
+self-reliant, brave lad, who expected to take his own part in the battle
+of life without asking odds from any one.</p>
+
+<p>The parents of our hero and heroine proved their faith by their works.
+By hard, honest <a name="Page_10" id="Page_10"></a>toil and economy, they had laid up a competence which
+was regularly invested each year, and of which the children were not
+allowed to know anything, lest it might make them lazy and unambitious.</p>
+
+<p>The little house and fifty acres were paid for, and the property was
+more than sufficient to meet the wants of the family, even after the
+youngsters became large enough to go to school.</p>
+
+<p>The morning on which young Nick Ribsam started for the country school, a
+half mile away, was one which he can never forget. He was six years old,
+and had picked up enough of the English language to make himself
+understood, though his accent was of that nature that it was sure to
+excite ridicule on the part of the thoughtless.</p>
+
+<p>As Nick had a large head, he wore of necessity a large cap, with a long
+frontispiece and with a button on the top. His coat was what is called a
+"roundabout," scarcely reaching to his waist, but it abounded with
+pockets, as did the vest which it partly inclosed. His trousers were
+coarse, thick, and comfortable, <a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a>and his large boots were never touched
+by blacking, Nick's father having no belief in such nonsense, but
+sticking to tallow all the time.</p>
+
+<p>Nick carried a spelling book and slate under his arm, and, as he started
+off, any one looking at him would have been struck by his bright eyes,
+ruddy cheeks, and generally clean appearance. As he was so very good
+natured, he was certain to become quite an acquisition to the school.</p>
+
+<p>There are no more cruel, or perhaps thoughtless people in the world than
+a number of school-boys, under certain conditions. The peculiar dress
+and the broken language of little Nick excited laughter at once, and
+this soon turned into ridicule.</p>
+
+<p>Nick was beset continually at recess and at noon by the boys, who
+immediately christened him "Dutchy." He laughed and did not seem to mind
+it, for his philosophy was that no words applied to him could injure
+him, and so long as the boys kept their hands off he did not care.</p>
+
+<p>Among the pupils was Herbert Watrous, a <a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a>spruce young gentleman from the
+city, who dressed better than the others, and who threw out hints about
+the sparring lessons he had taken at home, and his wish that he might
+soon have a chance to show his playmates how easily he could vanquish an
+opponent, much larger than himself, by reason of his "science."</p>
+
+<p>He was fully four years older than Nick, and much taller&mdash;a fact which
+Herbert regretted as the Pennsylvania Hollander was too insignificant
+for him to pick a quarrel with.</p>
+
+<p>But that was no reason, as he looked at his privileges in this life, why
+he should not play the tyrant and bully over the honest little fellow
+and he proceeded at once to make life unbearable to Nicholas.</p>
+
+<p>He began the cry of "Dutchy," and, finding that it did not disturb the
+serenity of the lad, he resorted to more active measures on the way home
+from school.</p>
+
+<p>He began by knocking off his hat, and when Nick looked at him in a
+surprised way and asked why he did it, the city youth assumed a
+pugilistic attitude and answered, "Greens; what are you going to do
+about it, Dutchy?"</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a>"Be careful of him," whispered one of the boys, who felt some sympathy
+for Nick in his persecutions; "he's <i>science</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care vat he ain't," replied Nick, beginning to lose his temper;
+"if he don't lets me be, he'll got into trouble."</p>
+
+<p>Just then Nick started to overtake a lad, who tapped him on the back and
+invited him to play a game of tag. As he passed close to Herbert, that
+boy threw out his foot and Nick went sprawling headlong, his book and
+slate flying from under his arm, while his cap shot a dozen-feet in
+another direction.</p>
+
+<p>The other boys broke into laughter, while several of the girls cried out
+that it was a shame.</p>
+
+<p>Nick picked himself up, and putting on his cap, turned about to ask
+Herbert what he meant by such cruelty, when he was confronted by the
+bully, who had thrown himself into his fancy pugilistic posture, and
+with one eye shut and his tongue thrust out, said:</p>
+
+<p>"What are you going to do about it, Dutchy?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll show you vot I do!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h3>
+
+<h4>SCHOOL DAYS.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Nicholas Ribsam proceeded to show Master Herbert Watrous what he meant
+to do about it.</p>
+
+<p>Paying no heed to the formidable attitude of the city youth, Nick rushed
+straight upon him, and embracing him about the waist so as to pinion his
+arms, he threw him flat upon the ground with great emphasis. Then, while
+Herbert lay on his face, vainly struggling to rise, Nick sat down
+heavily on his back. Although he could have used his fists with great
+effect, Nick declined to do so; but, rising some six or eight inches, he
+sat down on him again, and then repeated the performance very fast,
+bounding up and down as a man is sometimes seen to do when a horse is
+trotting; descending each time on the back of Herbert with such vigor
+that the breath was almost forced from his body.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15"></a>"Let me up!" shouted the victim, in a jerky, spasmodic manner, as the
+words were helped out; "that ain't the right way to fight: that isn't
+fair."</p>
+
+<p>"It suits me better as nefer vas," replied the grinning Nick, banging
+himself down on the back of the struggling Herbert, until the latter
+began to cry and ask the boys to pull Nick off.</p>
+
+<p>No one interfered, however, and when the conqueror thought he had
+flattened out the city youth to that extent that he would never acquire
+any plumpness again, he rose from his seat and allowed Herbert to climb
+upon his feet.</p>
+
+<p>Never was a boy more completely cowed than was this vaunting youth, on
+whom all the others had looked with such admiration and awe. He meekly
+picked up his hat, brushed off the dirt, and looking reproachfully at
+Nick said:</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know you broke two of my ribs?"</p>
+
+<p>"I dinks I brokes dem <i>all</i>: dat's what I meant to do; I will try him
+agin."</p>
+
+<p>"No, you won't!" exclaimed Herbert, dart<a name="Page_16" id="Page_16"></a>ing off in a run too rapid for
+the short legs of Nick to equal.</p>
+
+<p>Nick Ribsam had conquered a peace, and from that time forth he suffered
+no persecution at school. Master Herbert soon after went back to his
+city home, wondering how it was that a small, dumpy lad, four years
+younger than he, was able to vanquish him so completely when all the
+science was on the side of the elder youth.</p>
+
+<p>Young as was Nick Ribsam, there was not a boy in the school who dared
+attempt to play the bully over him. The display he had given of his
+prowess won the respect of all.</p>
+
+<p>Besides this he proved to be an unusually bright scholar. He dropped his
+faulty accent with astonishing rapidity, and gained knowledge with great
+facility. His teacher liked him, as did all the boys and girls, and when
+he was occasionally absent he was missed more than half a dozen other
+lads would have been.</p>
+
+<p>The next year Nick brought his sister Nellie to school. He came down the
+road, holding her fat little hand in his, while her bright eyes peered
+out from under her plain but odd-look<a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a>ing hat in a timid way, which
+showed at the same time how great her confidence was in her big brother.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie looked as much like Nick as a sister can look like a brother.
+There were the same ruddy cheeks, bright eyes, sturdy health, and
+cleanly appearance. Her gingham pantalettes came a little nearer the
+tops of her shoes, perhaps than was necessary, but the dress, with the
+waist directly under the arms, would have been considered in the height
+of fashion in late years.</p>
+
+<p>One daring lad ventured to laugh at Nellie, and ask her whether she had
+on her father's or mother's shoes, but when Nick heard of it he told the
+boy that he would "sit down" on any one that said anything wrong to
+Nellie. Nothing of the kind was ever hinted to the girl again. No one
+wished to be "sat down" on by the Pennsylvania Hollander who banged the
+breath so utterly from the body of the city youth who had aroused his
+wrath.</p>
+
+<p>The common sense, sturdy frame, sound health, and mental strength of the
+parents were inherited in as marked a degree by the daughter Nellie as
+by Nick. She showed a <a name="Page_18" id="Page_18"></a>quickness of perception greater than that of her
+brother; but, as is generally the case, the boy was more profound and
+far-reaching in his thoughts.</p>
+
+<p>After Nick had done his chores in the evening and Nellie was through
+helping her mother, Gustav, the father, was accustomed to light his
+long-handled pipe, and, as he slowly puffed it while sitting in his
+chair by the hearth, he looked across to his boy, who sat with his slate
+and pencil in hand, preparing for the morrow. Carefully watching the
+studious lad for a few minutes, he generally asked a series of
+questions:</p>
+
+<p>"Nicholas, did you knowed your lessons to-day?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you know efery one dot you knowed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir,&mdash;every one," answered Nick respectfully, with a quiet smile
+over his father's odd questions and sentences. The old gentleman could
+never correct or improve his accent, while Nick, at the age of ten,
+spoke so accurately that his looks were all that showed he was the child
+of German parents.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19"></a>"Did nopody gif you helps on der lessons?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nobody at all."</p>
+
+<p>"Dot is right; did you help anypodies?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir,&mdash;three or four of the girls and some of the boys asked me to
+give them a lift&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Gif dem <i>vat</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>"A lift&mdash;that is, I helped them."</p>
+
+<p>"Dot ish all right, but don't let me hears dot nopody vos efer helping
+<i>you</i>; if I does&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>And taking his pipe from his mouth, Mr. Ribsam shook his head in a way
+which threatened dreadful things.</p>
+
+<p>Then the old gentleman would continue smoking a while longer, and more
+than likely, just as Nick was in the midst of some intricate problem, he
+would suddenly pronounce his name. The boy would look up instantly, all
+attention.</p>
+
+<p>"Hef you been into any fights mit nopodies to-day?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have not, sir; I have not had any trouble like that for a long
+while."</p>
+
+<p>"Dot is right&mdash;dot is right; but, Nick, if you does get into such bad
+tings as fightin', <a name="Page_20" id="Page_20"></a>don't ax nopodies to help you; <i>takes care mit
+yorself!</i>"</p>
+
+<p>The lad modestly answered that he did not remember when he had failed to
+take care of himself under such circumstances, and the father resumed
+his pipe and brown study.</p>
+
+<p>The honest German may not have been right in every point of his creed,
+but in the main he was correct, his purpose being to implant in his
+children a sturdy self-reliance. They could not hope to get along at all
+times without leaning upon others, but that boy who never forgets that
+God has given him a mind, a body, certain faculties and infinite powers,
+with the intention that he should cultivate and use them to the highest
+point, is the one who is sure to win in the great battle of life.</p>
+
+<p>Then, too, every person is liable to be overtaken by some great
+emergency which calls out all the capacities of his nature, and it is
+then that false teaching and training prove fatal, while he who has
+learned to develop the divine capacities within him comes off more than
+conqueror.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h3>
+
+<h4>A MATHEMATICAL DISCUSSION.</h4>
+
+
+<p>The elder Ribsam took several puffs from his pipe, his eyes fixed
+dreamily on the fire, as though in deep meditation. His wife sat in her
+chair on the other side, and was busy with her knitting, while perhaps
+her thoughts were wandering away to that loved Fatherland which she had
+left so many years before, never to see again. Nellie had grown sleepy
+and gone to bed.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ribsam turned his head and looked at Nick. The boy was seated close
+to the lamp on the table, and the scratching of his pencil on his slate
+and his glances at the slip of paper lying on the stand, with the
+problems written upon it, told plainly enough what occupied his
+thoughts.</p>
+
+<p>"Nicholas," said the father.</p>
+
+<p>"Just one minute, please," replied the lad, glancing hastily up: "I am
+on the last of the <a name="Page_22" id="Page_22"></a>problems that Mr. Layton gave us for this week, and
+I have it almost finished."</p>
+
+<p>The protest of the boy was so respectful that the father resumed his
+smoking and waited until Nick laid his slate on the table and wheeled
+his chair around.</p>
+
+<p>"There, father, I am through."</p>
+
+<p>"Read owed loud dot sum von you shoost don't do."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Layton gave a dozen original problems as he called them, to our
+class to-day, and we have a week in which to solve them. I like that
+kind of work, and so I kept at it this evening until I finished them
+all."</p>
+
+<p>"You vos sure dot you ain't right, Nicholas, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have proved every one of them. Oh, you asked me to read the last one!
+When Mr. Layton read that we all laughed because it was so simple, but
+when you come to study it it isn't so simple as you would think. It is
+this: If New York has fifty per cent. more population than Philadelphia,
+what per cent. has Philadelphia less than New York?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ribsam's shoulders went up and down, <a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a>and he shook like a bowl of
+jelly. He seemed to be overcome by the simplicity of the problem over
+which his son had been racking his brains.</p>
+
+<p>"Dot makes me laughs. Yaw, yaw, yaw!"</p>
+
+<p>"If you will sit down and figure on it you won't laugh quite so hard,"
+said Nick, amused by the jollity of his father, which brought a smile to
+his mother; "what is your answer?"</p>
+
+<p>"If I hafs feefty tollar more don you hafs, how mooch less tollar don't
+you hafs don I hafs? Yaw, yaw, yaw!"</p>
+
+<p>"<i>That</i> is plain enough," said Nick sturdily "but if you mean to say
+that the answer to the problem I gave you is fifty per cent., you are
+wrong."</p>
+
+<p>"Oxplains how dot ain't," said Mr. Ribsam, suddenly becoming serious.</p>
+
+<p>The mother was also interested, and looked smilingly toward her bright
+son. Like every mother, her sympathies went out to him. When Nick told
+his father that he was in error, the mother felt a thrill of delight;
+she wanted Nick to get the better of her husband, <a name="Page_24" id="Page_24"></a>much as she loved
+both, and you and I can't blame her.</p>
+
+<p>Nick leaned back in his chair, shoved his hands into his pockets, and
+looked smilingly at his father and his pipe as he said:</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose, to illustrate, that Philadelphia has just one hundred people.
+Then, if New York has fifty per cent. more, it must have one hundred and
+fifty people as its population; that is correct, is it not, father?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ribsam took another puff or two, as if to make sure that his boy was
+not leading him into a trap, and then he solemnly nodded his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Dot ish so,&mdash;dot am,&mdash;yaw."</p>
+
+<p>"Then if Philadelphia has one hundred people for its population, New
+York has one hundred and fifty?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yaw, and Pheelatelphy has feefty per cent. less&mdash;yaw, yaw, yaw!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on, father,&mdash;not so fast. I'm teacher just now, and you mustn't
+run ahead of me. If you will notice in this problem the per cent. in the
+first part is based on Philadelphia's population, while in the second
+part it is <a name="Page_25" id="Page_25"></a>based on the population of New York, and since the
+population of the two cities is different, the per cent. cannot be the
+same."</p>
+
+<p>"How dot is?" asked Mr. Ribsam, showing eager interest in the reasoning
+of the boy.</p>
+
+<p>"We have agreed, to begin with, that the population of Philadelphia is
+one hundred and of New York one hundred and fifty. Now, how many people
+will have to be subtracted from New York's population to make it the
+same as Philadelphia?"</p>
+
+<p>"Feefty,&mdash;vot I says."</p>
+
+<p>"And fifty is what part of one hundred and fifty,&mdash;that is, what part of
+the population of New York?"</p>
+
+<p>"It vos one thirds."</p>
+
+<p>"And one third of anything is thirty-three and one third per cent. of
+it, which is the correct answer to the problem."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ribsam held his pipe suspended in one hand while he stared with open
+mouth into the smiling face of his son, as though he did not quite grasp
+his reasoning.</p>
+
+<p>"Vot you don't laughs at?" he said, turning sharply toward his wife, who
+had resumed <a name="Page_26" id="Page_26"></a>her knitting and was dropping many a stitch because of the
+mirth, which shook her as vigorously as it stirred her husband a few
+minutes before.</p>
+
+<p>"I laughs ven some folks dinks dey ain't shmarter don dey vosn't all te
+vile, don't it?"</p>
+
+<p>And stopping her knitting she threw back her head and laughed
+unrestrainedly. Her husband hastily shoved the stem of his pipe between
+his lips, sunk lower down in the chair, and smoked so hard that his head
+soon became almost invisible in the vapor.</p>
+
+<p>By-and-by he roused himself and asked Nick to begin with the first
+problem and reason out the result he obtained with each one in turn.</p>
+
+<p>Nick did so, and on the last but one his parent tripped him. A few
+pointed questions showed the boy that he was wrong. Then the hearty
+"Yaw, yaw, yaw!" of the father rang out, and looking at the solemn
+visage of his wife, he asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Vy you don't laughs now, eh? Yaw, yaw, yaw!"</p>
+
+<p>The wife meekly answered that she did not <a name="Page_27" id="Page_27"></a>see anything to cause mirth,
+though Nick proved that he did.</p>
+
+<p>Not only that, but the son became satisfied from the quickness with
+which his father detected his error, and the keen reasoning he gave,
+that he purposely went wrong on the first problem read to him with the
+object of testing the youngster.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, he asked him whether such was not the case. Many persons in the
+place of Mr. Ribsam would have been tempted to fib, because almost every
+one will admit any charge sooner than that of ignorance; but the
+Dutchman considered lying one of the meanest vices of which a man can be
+guilty. Like all of his countrymen, he had received a good school
+education at home, besides which his mind possessed a natural
+mathematical bent. He said he caught the answer to the question the
+minute it was asked him, and, although Mr. Layton may not have seen it
+before, Mr. Ribsam had met and conquered similar ones when he was a boy.</p>
+
+<p>While he persistently refused to show Nick how to solve some of the
+intricate problems <a name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></a>brought home, yet when the son, after hours of
+labor, was still all abroad, his father would ask him a question or two
+so skillfully framed that the bright boy was quick to detect their
+bearing on the subject over which he was puzzling his brain. The
+parent's query was like the lantern's flash which shows the ladder for
+which a man is groping.</p>
+
+<p>The task of the evening being finished, Mr. Ribsam tested his boy with a
+number of problems that were new to him. Most of them were in the nature
+of puzzles, with a "catch" hidden somewhere. Nick could not give the
+right answer in every instance, but he did so in a majority of cases; so
+often, indeed, that his father did a rare thing,&mdash;he complimented his
+skill and ability.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h3>
+
+<h4>LOST.</h4>
+
+
+<p>It was two miles from the home of Mr. Ribsam to the little stone
+school-house where his children were receiving their education. A short
+distance from the dwelling a branch road turned off to the left, which,
+being followed nine miles or so, mostly through woods, brought one to
+the little country town of Dunbarton.</p>
+
+<p>Between the home of Gustav Ribsam and the school-house were only two
+dwellings. The first, on the left, belonged to Mr. Marston, whose land
+adjoined that of the Hollander, while the second was beyond the fork of
+the roads and was owned by Mr. Kilgore, who lived a long distance back
+from the highway.</p>
+
+<p>Nick Ribsam, as he grew in years and strength, became more valuable to
+his father, who found it necessary, now and then, to keep him home from
+school. This, however, did <a name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></a>not happen frequently, for the parents were
+anxious that their children should receive a good school education, and
+Nick's readiness enabled him to recover, very quickly, the ground thus
+lost.</p>
+
+<p>There was not so much need of Nellie, and, when at the age of six she
+began her attendance, she rarely missed a day. If it was stormy she was
+bundled up warmly, and, occasionally, she was taken in the carriage when
+the weather was too severe for walking.</p>
+
+<p>The summer was gone when Nick helped harness the roan mare to the
+carriage, and, driving down to the forks, let Nellie out, and kept on
+toward Dunbarton, while the little girl continued ahead in the direction
+of the school-house.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got to stay there so long," said Nick, in bidding his sister
+good-by, "that I won't be here much before four o'clock, so I will look
+out for you and you can look out for me and I'll take you home."</p>
+
+<p>Nellie said she would not forget, and walked cheerfully up the road,
+singing a school song to herself.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31"></a>The little girl, when early enough, stopped at the house of Mr.
+Marston, whose girl Lizzie attended school. This morning, however, when
+Nick called from the road, he was told that Lizzie had been gone some
+time, so he drove on without her.</p>
+
+<p>The dwelling of Mr. Kilgore stood so far back that Nellie never could
+spare the time to walk up the long lane and back again, but she
+contented herself with peering up the tree-lined avenue in quest of
+Sallie and Bobby Kilgore.</p>
+
+<p>However, they were also invisible, and so it was that Nellie made the
+rest of the journey alone.</p>
+
+<p>The distance being so considerable, Nellie and Nick always carried their
+dinners with them, so that, after their departure in the morning, the
+parents did not expect to see them again until between four and five in
+the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>The roan mare was young and spirited, but not vicious, and the boy had
+no trouble in controlling her.</p>
+
+<p>When half way through the stretch of <a name="Page_32" id="Page_32"></a>woods they crossed a bridge, whose
+planks rattled so loudly under the wheels and hoofs that the animal
+showed a disposition to rear and plunge over the narrow railing at the
+side.</p>
+
+<p>But the boy used his whip so vigorously that he quickly tamed the beast,
+which was not slow to understand that her master was holding the reins.</p>
+
+<p>When Nick was on such journeys as these, he generally carried his
+father's watch, so as to "make his connections" better. The timepiece
+was of great size and thickness, having been made somewhere in England a
+good many years before. It ticked so loudly that it sounded like a
+cricket, and would have betrayed any person in an ordinary sized room,
+when there was no unusual noise. Nick's own handsome watch was too
+valuable for him to carry.</p>
+
+<p>The former was so heavy that it seemed to Nick, when walking with it,
+that he went in a one-sided fashion. However, the lad was quite proud of
+it, and perhaps took it out oftener than was necessary, especially when
+he saw the eyes of others upon him.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33"></a>Nick was kept in Dunbarton so long by the many errands he had to
+perform, that he was fully an hour late in starting. The mare was
+spirited enough to make up this time, if urged, but there was no need of
+doing so, and the boy knew his father would prefer him not to push the
+animal when no urgency existed.</p>
+
+<p>Thus it came about that when Nick re-entered the main highway that
+afternoon, and looked in the direction of the school-house, he saw
+nothing of Nellie, nor indeed of any one coming from the school.</p>
+
+<p>"She has gone home long ago," was his conclusion, as he allowed the mare
+to drop into a brisk trot, which speedily took him to his house.</p>
+
+<p>When Nick had put away the horse and rendered up his account of the
+errands done, he was surprised to learn that Nellie had not yet
+appeared.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot understand what keeps her," said the father, in his native
+tongue; "she was never so late before."</p>
+
+<p>It was plain from the mother's face and manner that she also was
+anxious, for she <a name="Page_34" id="Page_34"></a>frequently went to the gate, and, shading her eyes,
+looked long and anxiously down the road, hoping that the figure of the
+little girl would come to view, with some explanation of the cause for
+her delay.</p>
+
+<p>But the sun was low in the west, and its slanting rays brought to light
+the figure of no child hurrying homeward. The single object that was
+mistaken for the loved one proved to be a man on horseback, who turned
+off at the forks and vanished.</p>
+
+<p>"Nick, go look for your sister," said his mother, as she came back from
+one of these visits to the gate; "something has happened."</p>
+
+<p>The boy was glad of the order, for he was on the point of asking
+permission to hunt for Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll stay till I find out something," said Nick, as he donned his hat
+and took a general look over himself to see that he was in shape, "so
+don't worry about <i>me</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"But you ought not to be gone so long," said the father, whose anxious
+face showed that he was debating whether he should not join his boy in
+the search, "for it won't take long to find out where Nellie is."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></a>"I think she has been taken sick and has stopped with some of the
+neighbors," ventured the mother, "but it is strange they do not send me
+word."</p>
+
+<p>And it was the very fact that such word was not sent that prevented the
+husband and son from believing in the theory of the distressed mother.</p>
+
+<p>But Nick did not let the grass grow under his feet. His worriment was as
+great as that of his parents, and as soon as he was in the road he broke
+into a trot, which he kept up until beyond sight, both father and mother
+standing at the gate and watching him until he faded from view in the
+gathering twilight.</p>
+
+<p>The point where he disappeared was beyond the house of Mr. Marston, so
+it was safe to conclude he had learned nothing of his sister there,
+where he was seen to halt.</p>
+
+<p>There is nothing more wearisome than waiting in such suspense as came to
+the hearts of the father and mother, while they sat watching and
+listening for the sound of the childish footsteps and voices whose music
+would have been the sweetest on earth to them.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36"></a>The supper on the table remained untasted, and the only sounds heard
+were the solemn ticking of the old clock, the soft rustling of the
+kettle on the stove, and now and then a long drawn sigh from father or
+mother, as one strove to utter a comforting word to the other.</p>
+
+<p>All at once the gate was opened and shut hastily. Then a hurried step
+sounded along the short walk and upon the porch.</p>
+
+<p>"There they are! there they are!" exclaimed the mother, starting to her
+feet, as did the father.</p>
+
+<p>Almost on the same instant the door was thrown open, and, panting and
+excited, Nick Ribsam entered.</p>
+
+<p>But he was alone, and the expression of his face showed that he had
+brought bad news.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h3>
+
+<h4>THE PARTY OF SEARCH.</h4>
+
+
+<p>When Nick Ribsam set out to find his missing sister Nellie, he made the
+search as thorough as possible.</p>
+
+<p>The first house at which he stopped was that of Mr. Marston, which, it
+will be remembered, was only a short distance away from his own home.
+There, to his disappointment, he learned that their little girl had not
+been at school that day, and consequently they could tell him nothing.</p>
+
+<p>Without waiting longer than to give a few words of explanation he
+resumed his trot, and soon after turned into the lane leading to the
+home of Mr. Kilgore. He found that both Bobby and Sallie had been to
+school, but they had nothing to tell. When we are more than usually
+anxious to learn something, it seems that every one whom we meet is
+stupid beyond endurance. If we are in a strange place and <a name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></a>apply for
+information, the ignorance of nearly every person is exasperating.</p>
+
+<p>Bobby and Sallie remembered seeing Nellie in school during the forenoon
+and afternoon, but, while the boy insisted that she came along the road
+with them after dismissal, Sallie was just as positive that the missing
+girl was not with them.</p>
+
+<p>The party of school children which usually went over the highway was so
+small in number that it is hard to understand how such a mistake could
+be made, but the difference between Bobby and Sallie was irreconcilable.</p>
+
+<p>"I <i>know</i> she didn't come home with us," said Sallie, stamping her foot
+to give emphasis to the words.</p>
+
+<p>"And I <i>know</i> she did," declared Bobby, equally emphatically, "for me
+and her played tag."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you say she and I played tag?" asked Nick, impatient with
+both the children.</p>
+
+<p>"'Cause it was me and her," insisted Bobby.</p>
+
+<p>"What a dunce-head!" exclaimed his sis<a name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></a>ter; "that was <i>last</i> night when
+you played tag, and you tumbled over into the ditch and bellered like
+the big baby you are."</p>
+
+<p>"I remember that he did that last night," said Nick, hoping to help the
+two to settle the dispute.</p>
+
+<p>"I know I done that last night, but this afternoon I done it too. I fall
+into the ditch every night and beller; I do it on purpose to fool them
+that are chasing me."</p>
+
+<p>Nick found he could gain nothing; but he believed the sister was right
+and the brother wrong, as afterward proved to be the case.</p>
+
+<p>There were no more houses between his own home and the school building,
+and Nick resumed his dog trot, never halting until he came in front of a
+little whitewashed cottage just beyond the stone school-house.</p>
+
+<p>The latter stood at the cross roads, and the cottage to the left was
+where the teacher, Mr. Layton, an old bachelor, lived with his two
+maiden sisters.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Layton, although strict to severity in the school-room, was a
+kind-hearted man and was fond of the Ribsam children, for they <a name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></a>were
+bright, cheerful, and obedient, and never gave him any trouble, as did
+some of his other pupils. He listened to Nick's story, and his sympathy
+was aroused at once.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very sorry," said he, "that your good father and mother, not to
+mention yourself, should be so sorely troubled; but I hope this is not
+serious. Nellie came to me about three o'clock and asked whether I would
+let her go home."</p>
+
+<p>"Was she sick?" asked the distressed brother.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all; but she said you had gone to Dunbarton in your carriage and
+she wanted to meet you coming back. She knew her lessons perfectly, and
+Nellie is such a good girl that I felt that I could not refuse so simple
+a request. So I told her she could go. I saw her start homeward with her
+lunch-basket in one hand and her two school-books in the other. She
+stepped off so briskly and was in such cheerful spirits that I stood at
+the window and watched her until she passed around the bend in the
+road."</p>
+
+<p>Nick felt his heart sink within him, for the <a name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></a>words of the teacher had
+let in a great deal of alarming truth upon him.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie had reached the forks two hours ahead of him, and then, not
+wishing to sit down and wait, she had started up the road in the
+direction of Dunbarton to meet him. She must have entered the eight mile
+stretch of woods from the south about the same time Nick himself drove
+into it on his return from Dunbarton.</p>
+
+<p>The two should have met near Shark Creek, but neither had seen the
+other. Nick, as a matter of course, had kept to the road, but what had
+become of Nellie?</p>
+
+<p>This was the question the lad put to himself, and which caused him to
+feel so faint that he sank down in a chair unable to speak for a minute
+or two. Then, when he tried to do so, he had to stop, and was kept busy
+swallowing the lump that would rise in his throat, until finally the
+tears suddenly appeared, and, putting his hands to his eyes, he gave way
+to his grief.</p>
+
+<p>"There, there," said Mr. Layton soothingly, "don't cry, Nick, for it
+will do no good. <a name="Page_42" id="Page_42"></a>Nellie has strayed off in the woods to gather flowers
+or perhaps wild grapes and has missed her way."</p>
+
+<p>"She&mdash;is&mdash;lost&mdash;poor&mdash;Nellie!" said the lad as best he could between his
+sobs; "we'll never see her again."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it isn't as bad as that! I suppose she has grown weary, and,
+sitting down to rest, has fallen asleep."</p>
+
+<p>If the good teacher meant this to soothe the lad, it had the contrary
+effect, for the picture of his little sister wandering alone in the
+woods was one of the most dreadful that could be imagined, and it took
+all the manhood of his nature to keep from breaking down again.</p>
+
+<p>While the interview was under way, Mr. Layton was busy changing his
+slippers for his boots, his wrapper for his coat, and his hat was donned
+just as he spoke the last words.</p>
+
+<p>His sympathy did not expend itself in talk, but the instant he saw what
+the trouble was he was eager to do all he could to help his suffering
+friends. He even reproached himself for having given Nellie permission
+to meet her <a name="Page_43" id="Page_43"></a>brother, though no matter what harm may have befallen her,
+no one could blame her instructor therefor.</p>
+
+<p>"We must hunt for her," said Mr. Layton, when he was ready to go out; "I
+will tell my sisters they need not be alarmed over my absence, and I
+guess I will take the lantern with me."</p>
+
+<p>Nick passed out to the front gate, where he waited a minute for the
+teacher, until he should speak with his friends and get the lantern
+ready. When he came forth, the boy felt much like the patient who sees
+the surgeon take out his instruments and try their edge to make sure
+they are in condition before using upon him.</p>
+
+<p>The sight of the lantern in the hand of Mr. Layton gave such emphasis to
+the danger that it caused another quick throb of Nick's heart, but he
+forced it down as the two started back over the road, toward the
+school-house.</p>
+
+<p>"There is no need of lighting the lantern until we get to the woods,"
+said the teacher, "for we don't need it, and I hope we won't need it
+after we reach the forest. Poor Nel<a name="Page_44" id="Page_44"></a>lie! she will feel dreadfully
+frightened, when she wakes up in the dark forest."</p>
+
+<p>He regretted the words, for the two or three sobs that escaped the
+brother, before he could master himself, showed that his heart was
+swelled nigh to bursting.</p>
+
+<p>The night was mild and pleasant, although a little too chilly for any
+one to sleep out of doors. The moon was gibbous, and only a few white,
+feathery clouds now and then drifted across its face. Where there was no
+shadow, one could see for a hundred yards or so with considerable
+distinctness&mdash;that is, enough to recognize the figure of a man in
+motion.</p>
+
+<p>Opposite the lane leading to the house of Mr. Kilgore, the teacher
+stopped.</p>
+
+<p>"I will go in and get him to join us," said Mr. Layton; "and you had
+better hurry home for your father. On your way back, stop for Mr.
+Marston; that will give us a pretty large party. If when you reach the
+forks you do not find us there, don't wait, but hurry on toward
+Dunbarton; you will meet us before you reach the bridge over Shark
+Creek."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45"></a>Nick did as told, and, still on a rapid trot, reached home panting and
+excited, with the story which the reader has just learned.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ribsam threw down his pipe, donned his hat and coat, and started out
+the door. With his hand on the latch, he paused, and, looking back,
+commanded his voice so as to say:</p>
+
+<p>"Katrina, you and Nick needn't wait up for me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, father," pleaded the lad, moving toward him: "would you make me
+stay at home when Nellie is lost?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, no&mdash;I did not think," answered the parent, in a confused way; "I
+feel so bad I do not know what I do and say. Katrina, don't feel too
+bad; we will come back as soon as we can."</p>
+
+<p>Again the half distracted father placed his hand on the latch, and he
+had drawn the door partly open, when his wife, pale and trembling,
+called out in a voice of touching pathos:</p>
+
+<p>"Gustav, my heart would break should I try to stay here, when no one but
+God knows where my darling Nellie is; but, wherever she <a name="Page_46" id="Page_46"></a>may be, no
+sorrow or pain or suffering can come to her that her mother will not
+share, and may our Heavenly Father let her mother take it all upon her
+own shoulders!"</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, Katrina; come on and bring the lantern with you."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h3>
+
+<h4>GROPING IN DARKNESS.</h4>
+
+
+<p>When the parents and brother of Nellie Ribsam reached the forks a few
+minutes later, they saw nothing of the three parties whom they expected
+to meet there.</p>
+
+<p>"They have gone on to the woods to look for Nellie," said the father.</p>
+
+<p>"They cannot be far off," suggested Nick, turning to the left.</p>
+
+<p>All were too anxious to lose a minute, and they started after their
+friends on a rapid walk, Nick taking the lead, and now and then dropping
+into a loping trot, which he would have increased had he been alone.</p>
+
+<p>A chill seemed to settle over all as they reached the deep shadow of the
+woods, which was one of the largest tracts of forest in that section of
+the country.</p>
+
+<p>The road which bisected them was fully eight miles in length, as has
+already been <a name="Page_48" id="Page_48"></a>stated, while the forest was much greater in extent in the
+other direction.</p>
+
+<p>Being of such large area, there were necessarily many portions which
+rarely if ever were visited by hunters. Years before an occasional deer
+had been shot, and a few of the old settlers told of the thrilling bear
+hunts they had enjoyed when they were not so very much younger than now.</p>
+
+<p>Those who were capable of judging were certain that if the gloomy depths
+were explored these dreaded animals would be met; but if such were the
+fact, the beasts were so few in number that no one gave them a thought.</p>
+
+<p>It was now four miles to Shark Creek, and, by common consent, it was
+agreed that the missing Nellie must be found, if found at all, before
+reaching the stream.</p>
+
+<p>As this creek was deep enough to drown any person who could not swim,
+not to mention the large pond into which it emptied, every one of the
+searchers felt a vague, awful dread that poor Nellie had fallen into the
+water.</p>
+
+<p>No one spoke of it, but the thought was there all the same.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49"></a>Shortly after entering the wood, Nick called attention to two star-like
+points of light twinkling ahead of them.</p>
+
+<p>"They are the lanterns of Mr. Layton and Kilgore," said Nick, who
+immediately added, "we forgot to stop and get Mr. Marston."</p>
+
+<p>"That is too bad, but it isn't worth while to go back now," replied his
+father, hardly slackening his gait.</p>
+
+<p>As the lantern which Mrs. Ribsam had handed to her husband was lighted
+before leaving home, the men in advance detected it immediately after
+they were seen themselves, and the halloo of the teacher was answered by
+Nick.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you found anything of Nellie?" asked the mother, in broken
+English, as soon as the parties came together.</p>
+
+<p>"It could scarcely be expected," answered the instructor, in a kindly
+voice; "we have just got here, and have only looked along the road. I
+have little doubt that she is soundly sleeping somewhere not far off."</p>
+
+<p>While all stood still, the father lifted up his voice, and in clear,
+penetrating tones called the name of his missing child:</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50"></a>"Nellie!"</p>
+
+<p>The ticking of the big watch in the pocket of Nick was plainly heard as
+the little company awaited the answering call of the child.</p>
+
+<p>But it came not, and three times more was the name of the missing girl
+repeated by the father, who broke down completely the last time.</p>
+
+<p>Nick now joined his thumb and finger against the end of his tongue, and
+emitted a blast like that of a steam whistle. It resounded among the
+trees, and then followed the same oppressive stillness as before.</p>
+
+<p>It was useless to remain where they were any longer, and, without a
+word, the five moved on. The three lamps were swung above their heads,
+and they peered into the gloomy depths on the right and left.</p>
+
+<p>Nick, as might have been expected, kept the advance, and his father
+allowed him to carry the lantern. As the other lights were behind the
+lad, the latter saw his huge shadow continually dancing in front and
+taking all manner of grotesque shapes, while, if the others had looked
+to the rear, they would have seen the <a name="Page_51" id="Page_51"></a>same spectacle, as it affected
+their own figures.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait!" suddenly called out the father, who was now obliged to use his
+broken English, "mebbe my Nellie she does hears me."</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon he called to her as before, Nick ending the appeal with an
+ear-splitting whistle, which must have been heard several miles on such
+a still night.</p>
+
+<p>Not the slightest result followed, and with heavy hearts the little
+company moved on again.</p>
+
+<p>"I think," said Mr. Layton, "that she has turned aside, where, possibly,
+some faint path has caught her eye, and it may be that we may discover
+the spot."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's look here!"</p>
+
+<p>It was the mother who spoke this time, and, as they turned toward her,
+she was seen bending over the ground at the side of the highway, where
+something had arrested her attention.</p>
+
+<p>Instantly all the lanterns were clustered about the spot, and it was
+seen that the eyes of affection had detected just such a place as that
+named by the teacher. Persons who <a name="Page_52" id="Page_52"></a>walked along the road were accustomed
+to turn aside into the woods, and the five now did the same, moving
+slowly, with the lanterns held close to the earth, and then swung aloft,
+while all eyes were peering into the portions penetrated by the yellow
+rays.</p>
+
+<p>The path was followed some fifty yards, when, to the disappointment of
+all, it came back to the road: it was one of those whimsical footways
+often met in the country, the person who started it having left the
+highway without any real reason for doing so.</p>
+
+<p>Again the name of the missing Nellie was repeated, and again the woods
+sent back nothing but the echo.</p>
+
+<p>"Hark!"</p>
+
+<p>It was the quick-eared Nick who spoke, just as the hum of conversation
+began, and all listened.</p>
+
+<p>As they did so the rattle of wheels was heard coming from the direction
+of Dunbarton. The peculiar noise enabled the friends to recognize it as
+made by a heavy, lumbering farmer's wagon. The team was proceeding on a
+walk.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53"></a>A few minutes later some one shouted:</p>
+
+<p>"Halloo, there! what's the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>The voice was recognized as that of Mr. Marston, whom they intended to
+ask to join them.</p>
+
+<p>Instantly a hope was aroused that he might be able to tell them
+something of Nellie. Mr. Layton called back, saying they were friends,
+and asking whether the farmer had seen anything of Nellie Ribsam.</p>
+
+<p>At this Mr. Marston whipped up his horses, which were showing some fear
+of the twinkling lanterns, and halted when opposite to the party of
+searchers.</p>
+
+<p>"My gracious! is she lost?" asked the good man, forgetting the anguish
+of his friends in his own curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, she started up this road this afternoon toward Dunbarton to meet
+her brother, who was returning, but, somehow or other, missed him, and
+we are all anxious about her."</p>
+
+<p>"My gracious alive! I should think you would be: it would drive my wife
+and me crazy if our Lizzie should be lost in the woods."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54"></a>"I suppose, from the way you talk," continued the teacher, "that you
+have seen nothing of her?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I wish I had, for I tell you these woods are a bad place for a
+little girl to get lost in. Last March, when we had an inch of snow on
+the ground, I seen tracks that I knowed was made by a bear, and a mighty
+big one, too, and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>But just then a half-smothered moan from the mother warned the
+thoughtless neighbor that he was giving anything but comfort to the
+afflicted parents.</p>
+
+<p>"I beg pardon," he hastened to say, in an awkward attempt to apologize;
+"come to think, I am sure that it wasn't a bear, but some big dog; you
+know a large dog makes tracks which can be mistook very easy for those
+of a bear. I'll hurry on home and put up my team and git the lantern and
+come back and help you."</p>
+
+<p>And Mr. Marston, who meant well, whipped up his horses, and his wagon
+rattled down the road as he hastened homeward.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h3>
+
+<h4>AN ALARMING DISCOVERY.</h4>
+
+
+<p>By this time the searching party began to realize the difficulties in
+the path of their success.</p>
+
+<p>If, as was believed, or rather hoped, Nellie had fallen asleep in the
+woods, they were liable to pass within a dozen feet of where she lay
+without discovering the fact. Should they call to her, or should Nick
+emit his resounding signal whistle, she might be awakened, provided only
+such a brief space separated them, but the chances were scarcely one in
+a thousand that they would be so fortunate.</p>
+
+<p>This view, at the worst, was a favorable one, and behind it rose the
+phantoms that caused all to shudder with a dread which they dared not
+utter.</p>
+
+<p>Only a short distance farther they came upon another path which diverged
+from the side of the road, returning a little ways <a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></a>beyond. There, an
+unusually careful search was made, and Nick almost split his cheeks in
+his efforts to send his penetrating whistle throughout the surrounding
+country. The three men also called out the name of Nellie in their
+loudest tones, but nothing except the hollow echoes came back to them.</p>
+
+<p>Nick examined the face of his father's watch by the light of the lantern
+he carried, and saw that it lacked but a few minutes of nine. They had
+been searching for the lost child, as this proved, for nearly two hours.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me," said Mr. Layton, as the party came to a halt, "that we
+are not likely to accomplish anything by hunting in this aimless
+fashion."</p>
+
+<p>"What better can we do?" asked Mr. Kilgore.</p>
+
+<p>"Thus far we have been forced to confine ourselves to the road,
+excepting when we diverge a few feet: this renders our work about the
+same as if done by a single person. What I propose, therefore, is that
+we separate."</p>
+
+<p>"How will that help us?"</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></a>"It may not, but we shall cover three or four times the amount of space
+(I judge Mrs. Ribsam would prefer to remain with her husband and son on
+account of the single lantern), and it follows that some one of us must
+pass closer to the spot where Nellie is lying."</p>
+
+<p>This seemed a sensible suggestion, and the two men turned to the
+afflicted father to learn what he thought of it.</p>
+
+<p>He shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet,&mdash;not yet; we goes a leetle furder."</p>
+
+<p>Nothing was added by way of explanation, and yet even little Nick knew
+why he had protested: he wished that all might keep together until they
+reached the creek. If nothing was learned of his child there, then he
+would follow the plan of the teacher.</p>
+
+<p>But something seemed to whisper to the parent that the place where they
+would gain tidings of little Nellie was near that dark, flowing water,
+which, like such streams, seemed to be always reaching out for some one
+to strangle in its depths.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps Mr. Ribsam is right," said the <a name="Page_58" id="Page_58"></a>teacher, after a silence which
+was oppressive even though brief; "we will keep each other's company,
+for it is lonely work tramping through the woods, where there is no
+beaten path to follow."</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon the strange procession resumed its march toward the distant
+town of Dunbarton, pausing at short intervals to call and signal to the
+missing one.</p>
+
+<p>It was a vast relief to all that the weather continued so mild and
+pleasant. In the earlier part of the day there were some signs of an
+approaching storm, but the signs had vanished and the night was one of
+the most pleasant seen in September.</p>
+
+<p>Had the rain begun to fall, or had the temperature lowered, the mother
+would have been distracted, for nothing could have lessened the pangs
+caused by her knowledge that her darling one was suffering. The true
+mother lives for her children, and their joys and sorrows are hers.</p>
+
+<p>Whenever the wind rustled among the branches around them she shuddered
+and instinctively drew her own shawl closer about <a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a>her shoulder; she
+would have given a year's toil could she have wrapped the thick woolen
+garment about the tiny form of her loved one, who never seemed so dear
+to her as then.</p>
+
+<p>"Gustav," she whispered, twitching his elbow, "I want to speak one word
+to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Speak out; they cannot understand us," he answered, alluding to the
+fact that they were using their own language.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but I don't want Nick to know what I say."</p>
+
+<p>The husband thereupon fell back beside her, and in a tremulous voice she
+said:</p>
+
+<p>"Do you remember when Nellie was three years old?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I remember further back than that: why do you ask?"</p>
+
+<p>"When she had the fever and was getting well?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I cannot forget it; poor girl, her cheeks were so hot I could
+almost light a match by them; but, thank God, she got over it."</p>
+
+<p>"You remember, Gustav, how cross she was and how hard it was to please
+her?"</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></a>"But that was because she was sick; when she was well, then she laughed
+all the time, just like Nick when he don't feel bad."</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;but," and there was an unmistakable tremor in the voice, "one day
+when she was cross she asked for a drink of water; Nick was sitting in
+the room and jumped up and brought it to her, but she was so out of
+humor she shook her head and would not take it from him; she was
+determined I should hand it to her. I thought she was unreasonable and I
+told Nick to set it on the bureau, and I let Nellie know she shouldn't
+have it unless she took it from him; I meant that I wouldn't hand it to
+her and thereby humor her impatience. She cried, but she was too
+stubborn to give in, and I refused to hand her the water. Nick felt so
+bad he left the room, and I was sorry; but Nellie was getting well, and
+I was resolved to be firm with her. She was very thirsty, for her fever
+was a terrible one. I was tired and dropped into a doze. By-and-by I
+heard Nellie's bare feet pattering on the floor, and softly opening my
+eyes, without stirring I saw her walk hastily to the bureau, <a name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></a>catch hold
+of the tumbler and she drank every drop of water in it. She was so weak
+and dizzy that she staggered back and threw herself on the bed like one
+almost dead. The next day she was worse, and we thought we were going to
+lose her. You saw how hard I cried, but most of my tears were caused by
+the remembrance of my cruelty to her the night before."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Katrina, you did right," said the father, who heard the affecting
+incident for the first time. "It won't do to humor children so much: it
+will spoil them."</p>
+
+<p>"That may be, but I cannot help thinking of that all the time; it would
+have done no harm to humor Nellie that time, for she was a good girl."</p>
+
+<p>"You speak truth, but&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The poor father, who tried so bravely to keep up, broke down and was
+unable to speak. The story touched him as much as it did the mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, Katrina&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>At that moment Nick called out:</p>
+
+<p>"Here's the bridge!"</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></a>The structure loomed through the gloom as it was dimly lighted by the
+lanterns, and all walked rapidly forward until they stood upon the rough
+planking.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the mother uttered a cry, and stooping down snatched up
+something from the ground close to the planks.</p>
+
+<p>The startled friends looked affrightedly toward her, and saw that she
+held the lunch basket of her little daughter in her hand.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h3>
+
+<h4>STARTLING FOOTPRINTS.</h4>
+
+
+<p>On the very edge of the bridge over Shark Creek, the mother of Nellie
+Ribsam picked up the lunch basket which her daughter had taken to school
+that morning. It lay on its side, with the snowy napkin partly out, and
+within it was a piece of brown bread which the parent had spread with
+golden butter, and which was partly eaten.</p>
+
+<p>No wonder the afflicted woman uttered a half-suppressed scream when she
+picked up what seemed a memento of her dead child.</p>
+
+<p>While the lanterns were held in a circle around the basket, which the
+father took from his wife, Mr. Ribsam lifted the piece of bread in his
+hand. There were the prints made by the strong white teeth of little
+Nellie, and there was not a dry eye when all gazed upon the food, which
+the father softly returned to the basket and reverently covered with the
+napkin.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"></a>No one ventured to speak, but the thoughts of all were the same.</p>
+
+<p>Stepping to the railing at the side of the bridge Mr. Layton held his
+lantern over, Nick and Mr. Kilgore immediately doing the same. The rays
+extended right and left and far enough downward to reach the stream,
+which could be seen, dark and quiet, flowing beneath and away through
+the woods to the big pond, a quarter of a mile below.</p>
+
+<p>In the oppressive stillness the soft rustling of the water was heard as
+it eddied about a small root which grew out from the shore, and a tiny
+fish, which may have been attracted by the yellow rays, leaped a few
+inches above the surface and fell back with a splash which startled
+those who were peering over the railing of the structure.</p>
+
+<p>The trees grew close to the water's edge, and as the trunks were dimly
+revealed they looked as if they were keeping watch over the deep creek
+that flowed between.</p>
+
+<p>The five were now searching for that which they did not wish to find;
+they dreaded, with an unspeakable dread, the sight of the white <a name="Page_65" id="Page_65"></a>face
+turned upward, with the abundant hair floating about the dimpled
+shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>Thank heaven, that sight was spared them; nothing of the kind was seen,
+and a sigh escaped from each.</p>
+
+<p>"We are all tortured by the thought that Nellie has fallen into the
+creek and been drowned," said the teacher; "but I cannot see any grounds
+for such fear."</p>
+
+<p>The yearning looks of the parents and brother caused the teacher to
+explain more fully.</p>
+
+<p>"No child, unless a very stupid one, would stumble from this bridge, and
+there could have been no circumstances which in my judgment would have
+brought such a mishap to Nellie."</p>
+
+<p>This sounded reasonable enough, but:</p>
+
+<p>"De basket,&mdash;vot of dot?" asked the father.</p>
+
+<p>"She has dropped that from some cause; but that of itself is a favorable
+sign, for had she fallen accidentally into the water she would have
+taken it with her."</p>
+
+<p>This sounded as if true, but it did not remove the fears of any one.
+Even he who uttered the words could not bring himself fully <a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a>to believe
+in their truth, for none knew better than he that the evil one himself
+seems to conspire with guns and pistols that appear to be unloaded, and
+with water which is thought to be harmless.</p>
+
+<p>All wanted to place faith in the declaration, and no protest was
+uttered. As nothing was to be seen or learned where they stood, they
+crossed the bridge and descended the wooded slope until they reached the
+edge of the stream, which wound its way through the woods to the big
+pond.</p>
+
+<p>Every heart was throbbing painfully and no one spoke: there was no need
+of it, for no comfort could be gained therefrom.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Layton and Kilgore moved carefully up the creek, while Nick and his
+parents walked toward the pond, which lay to the left.</p>
+
+<p>The two wished to be apart from the others that they might consult
+without danger of being overheard by those whose hearts were suffering
+so much anguish.</p>
+
+<p>"It's very strange," said Mr. Kilgore, "that the basket should be found
+on the bridge: what do you make of it, Mr. Layton?"</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a>The teacher shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"It is strange, indeed; had there been no water in the creek you could
+have set it down as certain that the child had not fallen from it, but,
+as she could not have done so without drowning, I am inclined to
+think&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The instructor hesitated, as if afraid to pronounce the dreadful words.</p>
+
+<p>"You think she is drowned?" said his friend, supplying the answer with
+his own question.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Layton nodded his head by way of reply, and, holding the lanterns in
+front, they began groping their way along the margin of the creek.</p>
+
+<p>By raising the lights above their heads the rays reached the opposite
+bank, lighting up the water between. This was unusually clear, and they
+could see the bottom some distance from shore.</p>
+
+<p>Both felt that if the body was floating anywhere they could not fail to
+see it, though the probabilities were that it was already far below
+them, and would be first discovered by the parents and brother.</p>
+
+<p>"Halloa!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. Lay<a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a>ton, lowering his lantern close to
+the ground, "I don't like <i>that</i>."</p>
+
+<p>By way of explanation, he pointed to the damp soil where no vegetation
+grew: it was directly in front and close to the water, being that
+portion which was frequently swept by the creek when above its present
+level.</p>
+
+<p>Parallel to the stream, for a distance of several rods or so, were a
+number of imprints in the yielding earth, which the first glance showed
+were made by some large animal.</p>
+
+<p>"It must have been a dog," ventured the teacher, who had little
+practical knowledge of the animals of the wood.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Kilgore shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a bear; there can be no mistake about it. Mr. Marston was right;
+it was the track of a similar animal which he saw last March."</p>
+
+<p>"You are not mistaken, Mr. Kilgore?"</p>
+
+<p>The farmer answered impatiently:</p>
+
+<p>"I have hunted bears too often to be mistaken; I can tell their trail
+among a hundred others, and the one which went along here a little while
+ago was one of the largest of his kind."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h3>
+
+<h4>THE LITTLE WANDERER.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Although Nellie Ribsam was only eight years old at the time she was lost
+in the big woods, yet the results of the training received from her
+sensible father and mother showed themselves in a marked degree on that
+memorable occasion.</p>
+
+<p>She had been taught, as was her brother, that under heaven she must rely
+upon herself to get forward in the world. Nick was rarely if ever
+allowed to extend her a helping hand in her lessons, and she was given
+to understand that whatever was possible for her to do must be done
+without the aid of any one.</p>
+
+<p>As for sitting down and crying when in trouble, without making any
+effort to help herself, she knew better than to try that when either her
+father or mother were likely to find it out.</p>
+
+<p>Her intention, when she left school that <a name="Page_70" id="Page_70"></a>afternoon before the session
+closed, was to keep on in the direction of Dunbarton until she met Nick
+returning.</p>
+
+<p>She turned off at the forks, and did not lessen her gait until she
+reached the woods. Her rapid walking caused her to feel quite warm, and
+the cool shade of the woods was refreshing.</p>
+
+<p>She began wandering aimlessly forward, swinging her hat in her hand,
+singing snatches of school songs, and feeling just as happy as a little
+girl can feel who is in bounding health, high spirits, and without an
+accusing conscience.</p>
+
+<p>It was not the time of year for flowers, and Nellie knew better than to
+look for any. They had drooped and died long ago; but some of the leaves
+were turning on the trees, and they gave a peculiar beauty to the
+autumnal forest.</p>
+
+<p>At intervals she caught sight of the cleanly, symmetrical maple, with
+some of its leaves turning a fiery red and looking like flecks of flame
+through the intervening vegetation. At the least rustling of the wind
+some of the <a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a>leaves came fluttering downward as lightly as flakes of
+snow; the little brown squirrel scampered up the shaggy trunks and out
+upon the limbs, where, perching on his hind legs, he peeped
+mischievously down at the girl, as if inviting her to play hide-and-seek
+with him; now and then a rabbit, fat and awkward from his gluttony on
+the richness around him, jumped softly a few steps, then munched rapidly
+with his jaws, flapped his long silken ears, looked slyly around with
+his big, pretty eyes, and, as the girl made a rush toward him, he was
+off like a shot.</p>
+
+<p>The woods were fragrant with ripening grapes and decaying vegetation,
+and were putting on a garb whose flaming splendor surpassed the hues of
+spring.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, everything conspired to win a boy or girl away from study or
+work, and to cause the wish on the part of both that they might be a
+bird or squirrel, with no thought of the responsibilities of life.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie Ribsam forgot for the time everything else except her own
+enjoyment; but by-and-by the woods took on such tempting looks <a name="Page_72" id="Page_72"></a>that she
+turned off from the highway she had been following, with the intention
+of taking a stroll, which she meant should not lead her out of sight of
+the road.</p>
+
+<p>The first view which stopped her was that of a large vine of wild
+grapes.</p>
+
+<p>Some of them were green, some turning, while others were a dark purple,
+showing they were fully ripe: the last, as a matter of course, were at
+the top.</p>
+
+<p>These wild grapes were small and tart, inferior to those which grew in
+the yard of Nellie at home; but they seemed to be trying to hide in the
+woods, and they were hard to get, therefore they were more to be desired
+than the choicest Catawba, Isabella, or Concord.</p>
+
+<p>The main vine, where it started from the ground, was as thick as a man's
+wrist, and it twisted and wound about an oak sapling as if it were a
+great African constrictor seeking to strangle the young tree. Other
+vines branched out from the sides until not only was the particular
+sapling enfolded and smothered, but the greedy vine reached out and
+grasped others growing near it.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73"></a>Nellie felt like the fox who found the grapes more tempting the longer
+he looked at them.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to have some of them," she said, and straightway proceeded to
+help herself.</p>
+
+<p>She climbed as readily as Nick himself could have done, and never
+stopped until she was so high that the sapling bent far over with her
+weight. Then she reached out her chubby hand and plucked a cluster of
+the wild fruit. They were about the size of buckshot, and when her sound
+teeth shut down on them, the juice was so sour that she shut both eyes
+and felt a twinge at the crown of her head as though she had taken a
+sniff of the spirits of ammonia.</p>
+
+<p>But the grapes were none the less delicious for all that; the fact that
+there seemed to be something forbidden about them added a flavor that
+nothing else could give.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie had managed to crush a handful of the vinegar-like globules, when
+she caught sight of another vine deeper in the woods. It was much larger
+and climbed fully a dozen <a name="Page_74" id="Page_74"></a>yards from the ground, winding in and out
+among the limbs of a ridgy beech, which seemed to be forever struggling
+upward to get away from the smothering embrace of the vegetable python.</p>
+
+<p>Five minutes later, Nellie was clambering upward like a monkey, never
+pausing until the bending tree-top warned her that if she went any
+higher it would yield to her weight.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie disposed of one bunch and that was enough: she concluded that she
+was not very hungry for grapes and, without eating or even gathering
+more, she devoted herself to another kind of enjoyment.</p>
+
+<p>Standing with one foot on a limb and the other on one near it, she
+grasped a branch above her and began swaying back and forth, with the
+vim and abandon of a child in a patent swing.</p>
+
+<p>The tree bent far over as she swung outward, then straightened up and
+inclined the other way as her weight passed over to that side. Any one
+looking at the picture would have said that a general smash and giving
+away were certain, in which case the girl was <a name="Page_75" id="Page_75"></a>sure to go spinning
+through the limbs and branches, as though driven forth by the springs
+within the big gun which fling the young lady outward just as the
+showman touches off some powder.</p>
+
+<p>But a green sapling is very elastic, and, although the one climbed by
+Nellie bent back and forth like a bow, it did not give way. Her hair
+streamed from her head, and there was a thrilling feeling as the wind
+whistled by her ears, and she seemed to be shooting like a bird through
+space.</p>
+
+<p>All this was well enough, and it was no more than natural that Nellie
+should have forgotten several important facts: she was so far from the
+highway that she could not see any one passing over it; the rush of the
+wind in her ears shut out sounds that otherwise would have been noticed,
+and she had gone so far and had lingered so long by the way that it was
+time to look for Nick on his return from Dunbarton, even though he was
+later than he expected to be.</p>
+
+<p>It was while she was swinging in this wild fashion that her brother
+drove by on his way <a name="Page_76" id="Page_76"></a>home, without either suspecting how close they were
+to each other.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie displayed a natural, childish thoughtlessness by keeping up this
+sport for a half hour longer, when she came down to the ground, simply
+because she was tired of the amusement.</p>
+
+<p>Although out of sight of the road she managed to find her way back to it
+without trouble. With her lunch basket in hand, she continued in the
+direction of Dunbarton, taking several mouthfuls of the bread which had
+been left over at noon.</p>
+
+<p>In this aimless manner she strolled forward, stopping now and then to
+look at the squirrel or rabbit or the yellow-hued warbler, the noisy and
+swift-flying finch, the russet-coated thrush, or dark brown and mottled
+woodpecker, as his head rattled against the bark of the tree trunks,
+into which he bored in quest of worms.</p>
+
+<p>The first real surprise of the girl came when she reached the bridge.
+This proved that she was more than four miles from home, a distance much
+greater than she had suspected.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77"></a>"Where can Nick be?" she asked herself, never once thinking that they
+might have missed each other when she was swinging in the tree-top. It
+struck her that the day was nearly gone, for she noticed the gathering
+twilight diffusing itself through the forest.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think I will go any farther," she said; "Nick will be along
+pretty soon, and I'll wait here for him."</p>
+
+<p>Standing on the bridge and looking down the road and listening for the
+sound of the carriage wheels were tiresome to one of Nellie's active
+habits, and it was not long before she broke off some of the bread, set
+down her lunch basket, and then dropped some crumbs into the water.</p>
+
+<p>As they struck the surface, sending out little rings toward the shore,
+several tiny fish came up after the food. Nellie laughed outright, and,
+in her eagerness, was careless of how she threw the crumbs, most of
+which fell upon the bank.</p>
+
+<p>It occurred to her that she could do better by going down to the edge of
+the stream, where she would not mistake her aim.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78"></a>Childlike, she did not pause to think of the wrong of so doing, for she
+ought to have known that her parents never would have consented to such
+an act.</p>
+
+<p>Just there, Nellie, like many another little girl, made a great mistake.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h3>
+
+<h4>IN GREAT DANGER.</h4>
+
+
+<p>A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of
+the moment. Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and
+threw some crumbs out upon the surface. In the clear water she could see
+the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at
+the morsels.</p>
+
+<p>She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the
+bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in
+her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch
+basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a bother to carry the basket with me," she said to herself; "I had
+to leave it on the ground when I was after grapes, so I'll wait till
+Nick comes, and then I'll call to him. Won't he be scared when he sees
+me down here!"</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80"></a>From where she stood, she observed the bridge above her head, and
+consequently Nick could look directly down upon her whenever he should
+reach the structure.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie felt that she would like to go on down the creek to the big pond
+into which it emptied; but she knew better than to do that, for she
+would be certain to miss her big brother, and it was already beginning
+to grow dark around her.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what makes Nick so long," she said to herself, as she sat down
+on a fallen tree; "I'm so tired that I never can walk the four miles
+home."</p>
+
+<p>She had sat thus only a brief while, when her head began to droop; her
+bright eyes grew dull, then closed, and leaning against a limb which put
+out from the fallen tree, on which she was sitting, she sank into the
+sweet, dreamless sleep of childhood and health.</p>
+
+<p>Had she not been disturbed she would not have wakened until the sun
+rose, but at the end of an hour, an involuntary movement of the head
+caused it to slip off the limb against which it was resting with such a
+shock that <a name="Page_81" id="Page_81"></a>instantly she was as wide awake as though it was mid-day.</p>
+
+<p>Ah, but when she sprang to her feet and stared about her in the gloom
+she was dreadfully alarmed!</p>
+
+<p>She was quick-witted enough to understand where she was and how it had
+all come about. The gibbous moon was directly overhead, and shone down
+upon her with unobstructed fullness.</p>
+
+<p>"Nick has gone over the bridge while I was asleep," was her instant
+conclusion; "and father and mother will be worried about me."</p>
+
+<p>Her decision as to what she should do could not but be the one
+thing&mdash;that was to climb back up the bank to the bridge, cross it, and
+hurry homeward.</p>
+
+<p>There was a little throbbing of the heart, when she reflected that she
+had several miles to travel, most of which was through the gloomy woods;
+but there was no hesitation on the part of Nellie, who, but for the
+sturdy teaching of her parents, would have crouched down beside the log
+and sobbed in terror until she sank into slumber through sheer
+exhaustion.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82"></a>"I have been a bad girl," she said to herself, as she reflected on her
+thoughtlessness; "and mother will whip me, for I know she ought to; and
+mother always does what she ought to do."</p>
+
+<p>There was no room for doubt in the mind of the child, for she understood
+the nature of her parents as well as any child could understand that of
+its guardian.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie was some distance below the point where the bridge spanned the
+creek, but she could see the dim outlines of the structure as she
+started toward it. It seemed higher than usual, but that was because the
+circumstances were different from any in which she had ever been placed.</p>
+
+<p>The little one was making her way as best she could along the stream in
+the direction of the bridge, when she was frightened almost out of her
+senses by hearing a loud, sniffing growl from some point just ahead of
+her.</p>
+
+<p>It was a sound that would have startled the bravest man, and Nellie was
+transfixed for the moment. She did not turn and run, nor did she sink in
+a swoon to the ground, but she <a name="Page_83" id="Page_83"></a>stood just where she had stopped, until
+she could find out what it meant.</p>
+
+<p>She was not kept long in waiting, for in less than a minute the noise
+was repeated, and at the same moment she caught the outlines of a huge
+black bear swinging along toward her. He was coming down the bed of the
+creek, with his awkward, ponderous tread, and when seen by Nellie was
+within fifty feet of her.</p>
+
+<p>When it is remembered that he was of unusual size and proceeding
+straight toward the child, it seems impossible that she should have done
+anything at all to help herself. The sight was enough to deprive her of
+the power of motion and speech.</p>
+
+<p>But it was in such a crisis as this that little Nellie Ribsam showed
+that she had not forgotten the teaching of her parents: "God helps them
+that help themselves."</p>
+
+<p>With scarcely a second's pause, she whirled on her heel and dashed down
+the stream with the utmost speed at her command.</p>
+
+<p>The bear could not have failed to see her, though it is not to be
+supposed that he was looking for the little girl when he first came
+<a name="Page_84" id="Page_84"></a>that way. Furthermore, had the chase lasted several minutes Nellie must
+have fallen a victim to the savage animal.</p>
+
+<p>It required no instruction to teach her that there was but one way in
+which she could escape, and that was by climbing a tree. Had there been
+a large one near at hand she would have ascended that as quickly as
+possible; but, fortunately, the first one to which she fled was a
+sapling, no larger than those she had climbed during the afternoon, and
+no one could have clambered to the highest point attainable quicker than
+did the frightened little girl.</p>
+
+<p>Had she been a veteran hunter, Nellie could not have made a better
+selection, for she was fully twenty feet from the ground, and as much
+beyond the reach of the bear as though she were in her trundle-bed at
+home.</p>
+
+<p>But the position was a frightful one to her, and for several minutes she
+believed the animal would tear the tree down and destroy her.</p>
+
+<p>"I have done all I can for myself," she murmured, recalling the
+instruction of her parents, "and now God will do the rest."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85"></a>Beautiful, trusting faith of childhood! Of such, indeed, is the kingdom
+of heaven.</p>
+
+<p>The huge bear, which from some cause or other had ventured from the
+recesses of the wood, was but a short distance behind the little
+wanderer when she climbed so hastily beyond his reach. He acted as
+though he was somewhat bewildered by the unusual scene of a small child
+fleeing from him, but nothing is so tempting to pursuit as the sight of
+some one running from us, and the brute galloped after Nellie with an
+evident determination to capture her, if the thing could be done.</p>
+
+<p>When he found the child had eluded him for the time, he sat down on his
+haunches and looked upward, as though he intended to wait till she would
+be compelled to descend and surrender herself.</p>
+
+<p>The small tree in which Nellie had taken refuge was several yards from
+the edge of the stream, the bank sloping so steeply that the water never
+reached the base, excepting during a freshet.</p>
+
+<p>It was a chestnut, whose smooth bark rendered it all the more difficult
+to climb, but Nellie <a name="Page_86" id="Page_86"></a>went up it as rapidly as a man ascends telegraph
+poles with the spikes strapped to his boots.</p>
+
+<p>The bear clawed the bark a little while, as a cat is sometimes seen to
+do when "stretching" herself, and it was during these few minutes that
+the girl thought nothing could save her from falling into his clutches.</p>
+
+<p>When he ceased, she peered downward through the branches, and could just
+see the massy animal near the base of the tree, as if asking himself
+what was the next best thing to do.</p>
+
+<p>It will be admitted that the situation of Nellie Ribsam was one in which
+few children of her tender years are ever placed. Happy it is, indeed,
+that it is so, for what one in a thousand would have retained her
+self-possession?</p>
+
+<p>In explanation, it may be doubted indeed whether Nellie fully
+comprehended her peril. Had she been older, her consternation,
+doubtless, would have been greater, as the emotion she showed some years
+later, when placed in great danger, would seem to prove.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87"></a>But there was one fact of which she was firmly convinced: she had
+complied with her father's instructions, for, as has been shown, she put
+forth every possible exertion to save herself, and now she called on
+Heaven to assist her.</p>
+
+<p>Perched in the top of the tree, with the enormous bear sitting beneath
+and looking hungrily upward, she prayed:</p>
+
+<p>"Heavenly Father, please take care of me and don't let that big bear
+catch me; don't let papa and mamma feel too bad, and please make the bad
+bear go away and let me alone."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h3>
+
+<h4>"GOTT SEI DANK!"</h4>
+
+
+<p>The prayer of little Nellie Ribsam&mdash;so far as it related to herself&mdash;was
+answered.</p>
+
+<p>She secured her seat, as best she could, in the branches of the chestnut
+sapling, and, by arranging her dress and the yielding limbs with
+considerable skill, she made herself quite comfortable.</p>
+
+<p>The trying situation in which she was placed, it would be thought, was
+enough to drive away all disposition to sleep, but at the end of less
+than half an hour the little head was nodding again, and, forgetful of
+her peril, her senses soon left her.</p>
+
+<p>It will be understood that the danger of the young wanderer was rendered
+all the greater by this loss of consciousness, for her muscles would
+relax in slumber, and, unless her position was unusually secure, she was
+certain to fall.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89"></a>But that gracious Father in whom she so implicitly trusted watched over
+the little one, and she remained as though seated in the broad
+rocking-chair at home.</p>
+
+<p>When at last she moved slightly and was on the point of losing her
+balance, she awoke so quickly that she saved herself just in the nick of
+time.</p>
+
+<p>She was shocked and startled, but regaining her breath she held fast
+with one hand while she parted the branches with the other and carefully
+peered down among the limbs.</p>
+
+<p>"He is gone!" was her joyous exclamation; "I knew the Lord would make
+him go away, because I asked him to."</p>
+
+<p>She was right: the bear had vanished, and all danger from that source
+for the time had passed.</p>
+
+<p>The brute probably found enough to eat without waiting for little girls
+to fall into his clutches. As he had never been known to trouble any one
+in the neighborhood, it was reasonable to believe that he got all he
+wanted without venturing away from the depths of the woods, and rousing
+an ill-will against <a name="Page_90" id="Page_90"></a>himself that would speedily result in his
+destruction.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie did not feel surprised at all, for, as I have shown, she had the
+faith to believe that her prayer would be answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I will go down to the ground and start for home. I guess the bear
+isn't far off, but the Lord will not let him hurt me."</p>
+
+<p>She carefully descended the tree and stood on the ground a minute later.
+She found that her dress was torn and she had lost part of the ribbon
+from her hat. This troubled her more than anything else, for her frugal
+mother had told her many a time that she must take the best care of her
+clothing.</p>
+
+<p>"I was so scared that I forgot to look out," she said to herself, after
+taking an inventory of the damages; "but I guess mother will excuse me
+for losing the ribbon, though I know she won't for coming so far into
+the woods without permission."</p>
+
+<p>She now set out resolutely for the bridge, determined to lose no more
+time in reaching home. As is the rule, the brief space she had passed in
+sleep seemed three times as long as <a name="Page_91" id="Page_91"></a>was actually the case, and she
+thought it must be near morning.</p>
+
+<p>She had gone but a short distance when she stopped with another shock of
+affright.</p>
+
+<p>"My gracious! what can that be?"</p>
+
+<p>A point of light appeared between her and the bridge, flickering about
+like an <i>ignis-fatuus</i> or jack-o'-lantern. Nellie felt like taking to
+the tree again, but she bravely stood her ground until she could satisfy
+her curiosity as to its nature.</p>
+
+<p>Watching it closely she observed shadowy figures flitting around the
+light in a curious and grotesque way. She was in greater doubt than
+ever, when she heard voices.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I saw her tracks, but I couldn't be sure; Nellie knows too much
+to walk or fall into the deep water."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so, but my heart misgives me sorely. God be merciful, for if she
+is lost I can never recover!"</p>
+
+<p>The first speaker was Nick Ribsam, and the second was the father, the
+mother immediately adding:</p>
+
+<p>"Why the poor child came here is more <a name="Page_92" id="Page_92"></a>than I can understand, but He
+doeth all things well."</p>
+
+<p><i>"Oh, mother! Oh, father! Oh, Nick! It is I, Nellie! I am so glad to see
+you!"</i></p>
+
+<p>And the little wanderer flew like the wind along the bank of the creek.
+The mother was the first to recognize the voice, and rushing forward she
+caught her child in her arms, murmuring in her own language:</p>
+
+<p>"Mein Kind! Mein Kind! Gott sei Dank!" (My child! My child! God be
+thanked!)</p>
+
+<p>"Mein lieber Nellie! Komm an mein Herz! Kannst du es sein?" (My dear
+Nellie! Come to my heart! Can it be you?) exclaimed the overjoyed
+father.</p>
+
+<p>"O meine abtr&uuml;nnige Schwester! Wie du uns erschreckt hast! Wie es mich
+freut dich zu finden!" (Oh, my truant sister! What a scare you have
+given us! How glad I am to find you!) shouted Nick.</p>
+
+<p>And the child that was lost and was found was hugged first by mother,
+then by father, and then by Nick, and then all strove to get hold of her
+at the same time, till the brother <a name="Page_93" id="Page_93"></a>ceased, through fear that she would
+be torn apart.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie was laughing and crying, and wondering why it was such commotion
+was caused by her return to her folks.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Layton and Kilgore heard the tumult, and knew what it meant. A few
+minutes brought them to the spot, and, though their greeting was less
+demonstrative, their eyes filled with tears over the exceeding joy of
+the reunited family.</p>
+
+<p>When the excitement had subsided somewhat, the group listened to the
+story of Nellie. She told it in her childish, straightforward manner,
+and it was all the more impressive on that account.</p>
+
+<p>The listeners were greatly touched; but the probability that a large
+bear was in the neighborhood hastened their footsteps and they lost no
+time in hurrying away.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached the highway above, crossed the bridge, and had gone
+some distance on their way home, they began to feel there was nothing to
+be feared from the animal. Mr. Layton referred to the tracks of the
+<a name="Page_94" id="Page_94"></a>beast which they had noticed when hunting for Nellie, but said he would
+never have mentioned it until the fate of the girl became known; for the
+suggestions which must have followed were too dreadful.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing was seen of the animal, however, and, as the distance from the
+bridge was increased the party finally gave up all thought and
+conversation respecting it.</p>
+
+<p>There was a grateful household that night, when, at a late hour, they
+gathered about the family altar and the head returned thanks to Him who
+had been so merciful to them and theirs.</p>
+
+<p>The happy mother held the daughter in her arms all night, while they
+both slept; and when the parent awoke, now and then, through the
+darkness, she shuddered, pressed the little one closer to her and kissed
+the chubby cheek, on which her former tears had not yet dried.</p>
+
+<p>But Katrina Ribsam was none the less an affectionate mother when,
+several days later, she called Nellie to her knee and told her how
+wrongly she had acted in venturing on such a <a name="Page_95" id="Page_95"></a>dangerous tramp without
+asking permission from her parents.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie said she knew it, and wondered why it was her mother delayed the
+punishment so long. She was ready, and loved and respected her mother
+the more for administering it.</p>
+
+<p>But truth compels me to say that the chastisement was given with such a
+gentle hand that it was hardly worth the name, and the mother herself
+suffered far more than did the child, who to this day is not conscious
+that she received anything like physical pain.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h3>
+
+<h4>OMINOUS PREPARATIONS.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Happily there are few little girls in this favored land who are called
+upon to go through such trials as fell to the lot of little Nellie
+Ribsam when she was but eight years old.</p>
+
+<p>It created much talk in the neighborhood, and she was complimented on
+the bravery she had shown, while the glad father became more confirmed
+than ever in his favorite belief that God helps them that help
+themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"'Spose dot she didn't try to helps herself some," he said, in talking
+the matter over with Mr. Marston, "don't you not sees dot she would get
+eat up doo, dree times by dot bear dot vos bigger as nefer vos?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is a good thing for one, even though he be a child, to be able to do
+his utmost when overtaken by danger&mdash;there can be no question about
+<i>that</i>; but it would require a great <a name="Page_97" id="Page_97"></a>deal of training to bring some
+children to that point, even when they are double the years of your
+little girl."</p>
+
+<p>"Dot's becos dere folks don't not begins right; we starts mit Nick and
+Nellie when dey was so small dot dey didn't know nuffin, which is why it
+happens dey knows so much now."</p>
+
+<p>Great as was the interest excited by the adventure of Nellie, it was not
+long before it was thrown in the shade by another fact which was brought
+to light by that same experience: that was the existence of a large bear
+in the woods which lay to the east and west of the road leading to
+Dunbarton.</p>
+
+<p>This forest, as has already been intimated, covered a large tract of
+country, in which, a few years previous, bears, deer, and wolves had
+been hunted by many of those dwelling on the outskirts. Large inroads
+had been made on the woodland, and here and there the cabin of a settler
+or squatter was found by those who penetrated any distance.</p>
+
+<p>There were clearings extending over several acres, while, again, a man
+might wander for hours without emerging from the timber, <a name="Page_98" id="Page_98"></a>which included
+the common varieties found in the Middle States&mdash;oak, beech, maple,
+birch, hickory, hemlock, black walnut, American poplar or whitewood,
+gum, elm, persimmon, and others less important.</p>
+
+<p>The pine resembled the famous white pine of the Allegheny mountains, and
+predominated. Where there was such a large area covered with timber,
+about every variety of surface was known. In some places were rocks,
+ravines, hollows, and gulches; in others there were marshy swamps
+through which a hunter would find it hard work to force his way.</p>
+
+<p>Shark Creek entered from the east and was of considerable volume. In
+many places it was deep, while elsewhere it widened into broad and
+shallow expansions. It wound its way through the woods in the sinuous
+course always taken by such streams, and, crossing the road, where it
+was spanned by a bridge, it continued onward a quarter of a mile, when
+it reached Shark Pond, the overflow of which ultimately found its way
+into the Susquehanna and so to the Atlantic.</p>
+
+<p>Why the waters were called Shark Creek <a name="Page_99" id="Page_99"></a>and Pond was more than any one
+could explain. Most likely it was because no such fish as the shark had
+ever been seen near them, the circumstances of the case rendering it
+impossible that such a voracious creature ever should have sported in
+their depths.</p>
+
+<p>From what has been said, it will be seen that the woods offered a most
+inviting home for a few wild bears, and there was the best reason for
+the belief of many of the neighbors that if the tract was well hunted
+over several of the animals would be found.</p>
+
+<p>The universal opinion was that they should be exterminated, for so long
+as they were in the woods, so long were they a standing menace to all
+the men, women, and children who dwelt in the section. The children,
+especially, were considered in great peril, and several timid mothers
+refused to let their girls and boys go to school, which stood at no
+great distance from the woods.</p>
+
+<p>There was more than one farmer who contended that, if the few bears were
+left alone they would multiply to that degree that they would sally
+forth from the forest, like the<a name="Page_100" id="Page_100"></a> Delaware Indians of the last century,
+and carry death and destruction before them.</p>
+
+<p>A few individuals, like Gustav Ribsam, said there was nothing to fear,
+for when the bears showed any marked increase they would be killed, and
+it would be no very difficult job, either.</p>
+
+<p>But no one could dispute the desirability of ridding the country of the
+brute which came so near eating little Nellie Ribsam; and, where there
+was so much talk, something was done, or at least attempted.</p>
+
+<p>A hunting party of six men was organized in the month of October, and
+they tramped through the woods for days, with a couple of dogs, but the
+trail of the animal could not be found. They finally gave up the hunt,
+the most tired and disgusted not hesitating to declare they did not
+believe a bear had been seen in the forest for half a century.</p>
+
+<p>The opinion of those best qualified to judge, was that bruin obtained
+all the food he wanted with such little trouble that he did not care to
+molest any persons, and therefore kept out of the way of the hunters.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101"></a>Nick Ribsam, like all boys, was fond of a gun and dog, and he did not
+own either. His father had brought from Holland an old musket, used
+before the country was erected into a kingdom for Louis Bonaparte, more
+than eighty years ago; but when Nick rammed a charge down its dusty
+throat one day, forgetful that one had been resting there for months,
+and pulled trigger, it hung fire a long time; but, when it did go off,
+it did so in an overwhelming fashion, bursting into a dozen pieces and
+narrowly missing killing the astounded lad who discharged it.</p>
+
+<p>But Nick was so anxious to own a gun, that his father bought him one on
+the day he reached the age of ten years, which was shortly after
+Nellie's adventure with the bear. Although the farmer was frugal in all
+things, he believed it was the cheapest to buy the best, and the gun
+which was placed in the hands of Nick was a breech-loader with double
+barrels. It was a shot-gun, as a matter of course, for little use could
+be found for a rifle in that neighborhood.</p>
+
+<p>But Nick had practiced with this piece only a few weeks, when his
+ambition was turned in <a name="Page_102" id="Page_102"></a>another direction by a large, strong boy, who
+hired himself out upon the farm of Mr. Marston. He was sixteen years of
+age, and was named Sam Harper. His father had been a soldier in the late
+war, and gave to Sam a fine breech-loading rifle, which he brought with
+him when he hired out to Mr. Marston.</p>
+
+<p>The lad had owned it two years, and, under the tutelage of his father,
+who was wounded and living upon a pension, he became very skillful for
+one of his age.</p>
+
+<p>Beside this, Mr. Marston himself, as I have shown, was fond of hunting
+in his early manhood, and was the owner of an excellent muzzle-loading
+rifle, which was as good as when his keen eye glanced along the brown
+barrel and the bullet was buried in the unsuspicious deer, so far away
+as to be scarcely visible to the ordinary vision.</p>
+
+<p>"If you and Sam want to hunt the bear," said the kind owner, "you are
+welcome to my rifle, for you know a shot-gun ain't exactly the thing to
+go hunting bears with."</p>
+
+<p>"That's just what I want it for," said Nick, with sparkling eyes.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h3>
+
+<h4>THE BEAR HUNTERS.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Nothing is impossible to pluck and perseverance. That boy who is
+determined to become brilliant in his studies, no matter what their
+nature, or to master a difficult profession, or to attain any point
+possible of attainment, is sure to win, if he will but <i>stick to it</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Nick Ribsam was resolved to become skillful with the rifle, and he gave
+all the time he could spare to practice with the gun which belonged to
+Mr. Marston. He was desirous of starting after the bear with Sam, as
+soon as he could use the gun, but his sensible father shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Nicholas, that would be doing wrong, for you do not know how to
+handle the rifle; God does not step in and help the lazy and careless;
+first learn how to use the weapon, so <a name="Page_104" id="Page_104"></a>you will never miss; then you may
+go hunt bears."</p>
+
+<p>Although a lusty lad, Nick found the heavy gun was quite a burden, and
+he preferred to rest the barrel on the fence, or in the crotch of a
+tree, when aiming, but Sam Harper told him he could never amount to
+anything unless he used his weapon off-hand, and was ready to do so
+effectively, no matter how sudden the call.</p>
+
+<p>Nick applied all his energies, and in the course of a few weeks won the
+praise of Sam, who had become very fond of the bright and good-natured
+"Pennsylvania Dutchman," who, in return, helped him in his efforts to
+improve his knowledge in arithmetic, which he studied in a desultory way
+on the long autumn evenings, having promised his father to do so.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Marston owned a dog which was not of much account, but the boys
+trained him with rare patience, and were confident he would prove
+valuable when they took him on the hunt.</p>
+
+<p>By the time they were ready to start autumn was advanced, and Nick, who
+had <a name="Page_105" id="Page_105"></a>carefully studied up the peculiarities of the animal, said he was
+afraid the bear had gone into some hollow tree or cave to take his
+winter's sleep.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think they do that till the weather gets colder," said Sam, who
+had once helped hunt bruin in the wilds of Tennessee, "and even in very
+cold weather I have seen their tracks in the snow; but if we can only
+find the tree or cave where he is hiding, why, that will just be
+splendid."</p>
+
+<p>"Why so?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is fat, lazy, and so sleepy that he don't fight much; but in the
+spring-time he is lean, hungry, and fierce, and then everybody must look
+out. There are so many chestnuts and hickory nuts in the woods now that
+he can get all he wants to eat without scaring the farmers by visiting
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"The bear eats almost everything," said Nick, "but I don't believe he
+can make much of a meal off hickory nuts."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he has got a good thing of it anyway, here, there is so much food
+around him, and if he had only been smart enough to keep <a name="Page_106" id="Page_106"></a>out of sight
+and never show himself he might have died of old age without being once
+disturbed by hunters."</p>
+
+<p>"I ain't sure he won't die of old age as it is," said Nick, with a
+laugh; "for every one who went after him came back without the first
+glimpse. I guess they have all given up hope of shooting him, and I
+shouldn't wonder if we had to do the same."</p>
+
+<p>But whether such was to be the result or not remained to be seen, and
+the boys were sure of plenty of sport in an all-day ramble through the
+woods.</p>
+
+<p>During all this time Nick and Nellie were attending school, and they
+maintained their places in their studies, and were surpassed by none in
+the excellence of their deportment.</p>
+
+<p>Nick rose early and helped his father with his work, and at night did
+his chores. With all this, he found opportunity to practice with the
+rifle and to prepare his lessons for the morrow, so that it need not be
+said he had little idle time on his hands.</p>
+
+<p>On a bright Saturday morning in November, when the smoky haze of the
+delicious Indian <a name="Page_107" id="Page_107"></a>summer overspread forest, stream, and country, Sam
+Harper came to the house of Nick Ribsam according to appointment.</p>
+
+<p>His rifle was slung over his shoulder, and the dog, which they had
+christened Bowser, was at his heels. There was no school that day, and
+Mr. Ribsam, having satisfied himself of the ability of Nick to handle
+the rifle of his neighbor, had given him permission to go on a hunt for
+the bear which had so frightened Nellie a couple of months before.</p>
+
+<p>The mother and daughter were a little anxious when the rosy-cheeked boy
+donned his heavy boots, pushed his trousers down the legs, and taking
+the long-barreled rifle from where it rested in the corner turned to
+kiss them good-by.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ribsam seemed as cool and stolid as ever; but any one looking
+closely at him would have observed that he puffed his pipe a little
+oftener than was his wont, while his eye beamed more kindly upon his
+brave little boy.</p>
+
+<p>"Look out, Nick, and don't be too venturesome," said the mother, as she
+pressed her lips to those of her only son.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108"></a>"And remember that the bear is an awful big animal," said Nellie, "for
+I <i>seen</i> him."</p>
+
+<p>The brother, who was in the act of leaning over his sister to kiss her,
+drew back with a reproving look.</p>
+
+<p>"Why is it a girl can't talk without saying 'awful' in every sentence? I
+wish for variety's sake, Nellie, you and the rest of the girls would
+leave 'awful' out of one sentence in a hundred, and don't say 'I <i>seen</i>
+him,' for you know better than that, sister."</p>
+
+<p>She hung her head and her eyes were growing misty, when Nick took the
+kiss with a laugh and moved to the door.</p>
+
+<p>"There, there, good-by; you all act as if I was going to Africa to hunt
+lions and tigers."</p>
+
+<p>Nellie snapped him up in a flash:</p>
+
+<p>"There ain't any tigers in Africa, smarty!"</p>
+
+<p>"You got me that time," laughed Nick; "where is father?"</p>
+
+<p>"He went out of the door a minute ago; he is standing by the gate," said
+the mother, after a quick glance through the window.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ribsam was leaning on the gate-post, as was a favorite custom of
+his, and the tobacco <a name="Page_109" id="Page_109"></a>smoke ascended in clouds and rings, as though he
+was a locomotive tugging hard at a train, with the wheels continually
+slipping.</p>
+
+<p>He looked at the boys without stirring or speaking, as they passed out
+the gate and gently closed it, so as not to jar the old gentleman
+leaning upon it.</p>
+
+<p>When they had gone a rod or so, Mr. Ribsam called out:</p>
+
+<p>"Nicholas!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir!" answered the son, wheeling instantly.</p>
+
+<p>The father took the long stem of his pipe from his mouth, emitted a
+blast of vapor, and then shut his eyes and flung his head backward with
+a quick flirt, which meant that his boy should come to him.</p>
+
+<p>Nick obeyed with his usual promptness, and paused immediately in front
+of his parent, while Sam Harper stopped short and looked backward at the
+two, with the purpose of waiting until the interview ended.</p>
+
+<p>The old gentleman meant his words for both, and he therefore used the
+English tongue as best he could, and spoke loud:</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110"></a>"Nicholas, bears ish shtrong amimals as nefer vos: they can squeeze in
+der ribs of a ox of dey tried, I dinks, so looks out dot de bears don't
+not squeeze mit you."</p>
+
+<p>"I will take good care, you may depend."</p>
+
+<p>"His claws am sharp and he has big jaws; look outs for dem, Nicholas!"</p>
+
+<p>"You may be sure I will."</p>
+
+<p>"And, Nicholas, ven you goes for to hunt bears <i>you must helps one
+anoder; you hears</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>This was the all-important sentence the father had prepared himself to
+utter. It will be observed that it was in violation of his oft repeated
+creed, for it clearly called upon the boys to render mutual support
+should danger arise; and they would have been zanies had they not done
+so.</p>
+
+<p>The father expected them to show that much sense, but he was impelled to
+impress the necessity of it: he meant them to understand that his
+declarations were subject to amendment under certain conditions.</p>
+
+<p>Nick gave the pledge and stepped briskly up the road with Sam, while
+Bowser frolicked <a name="Page_111" id="Page_111"></a>in the fields and road until they were fairly in the
+woods, when he frisked among the trees, sometimes starting up a squirrel
+or rabbit, which had no trouble in skurrying out of his reach.</p>
+
+<p>As the bear when seen by Nellie was near Shark Creek, the boys agreed to
+follow the road to the bridge, descend into the bed of the stream, and
+then go downward toward the pond and finally off into the woods, where
+they intended to pass that day and probably the night and following day.</p>
+
+<p>They had reached and passed the tree in which Nellie Ribsam took refuge
+two months before, when Nick suddenly exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>"Hallo, there is some one ahead of us!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's the season for game and we shall find plenty of hunters in the
+wood," said Sam Harper, who, nevertheless, scanned the person with much
+interest.</p>
+
+<p>The fact that the boys were following precisely in his footsteps raised
+the suggestion that perhaps he was engaged on the same business or
+sport, as it might be termed.</p>
+
+<p>Our friends hastened their pace so as to <a name="Page_112" id="Page_112"></a>overtake him, for his company
+might be desirable, or possibly it might be otherwise.</p>
+
+<p>"Hallo, there!" called out Nick; "wait a minute!"</p>
+
+<p>The individual thus hailed turned about, and looked back to see who it
+was that called.</p>
+
+<p>As he did so his face was seen, and Nick Ribsam gave utterance to an
+expression of astonishment.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h3>
+
+<h4>A RECRUIT.</h4>
+
+
+<p>The stranger ahead of the two boys was Herbert Watrous, the city youth
+upon whom Nick had sat down so hard three years before.</p>
+
+<p>He was unusually tall when visiting the country school, and during the
+intervening time he had continued to grow upward, until his height
+equaled that of an ordinary man. He was scarce fourteen years old, but
+he lacked very little of six feet in altitude.</p>
+
+<p>He was correspondingly slim, so that he looked as if a smart blow on the
+back would snap him in two. He was arrayed in a most gorgeous hunting
+suit of green, with all the paraphernalia which the hunter from the city
+thinks necessary when he honors the country with a tramp for game.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert, beyond question, was fitted out in <a name="Page_114" id="Page_114"></a>fine style, and there was
+nothing lacking, except perhaps skill. He carried one of the finest of
+breech-loading rifles, which would have been very effective in the hands
+of a party who knew how to use it.</p>
+
+<p>The face of the lad had not changed in expression to any extent since
+Nick Ribsam drove him into the earth, but there was some downy furze on
+his upper lip and chin, while his voice was of that squeaky and
+uncertain tone heard when "changing."</p>
+
+<p>"Hallo! is that you?" was the rather superfluous question of Herbert, as
+he waited for the two boys to come up. He recognized Nick, but of course
+was a stranger to Sam Harper, to whom Nick introduced him, and there was
+a general shaking of hands all around.</p>
+
+<p>Young Watrous glanced rather askance at his old school-mate, but there
+was such a cordial welcome on the part of the young "American of Dutch
+descent" that all reserve vanished.</p>
+
+<p>A certain loftiness of manner and conceit of expression, however, were
+natural to Herbert, <a name="Page_115" id="Page_115"></a>and he did not fail to look down, in a literal and
+figurative sense, upon the two hunters.</p>
+
+<p>"That's a fine gun you have there, Herbert," said Nick, venturing to
+reach out his hand for it.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Herbert, passing it to him rather gingerly, "be careful
+not to drop it."</p>
+
+<p>The gun was a beautiful weapon, known as the long range "Creedmoor." It
+was a Remington, highly finished, and cost $125. It had a front sight,
+known as the wind-gauge, with the spirit-level, and with the vernier
+sight on the stock, which is raised from its flat position when the
+hunter wishes to shoot a long distance, and is graduated up to a
+thousand yards, carrying a 44 cartridge.</p>
+
+<p>"That isn't of much account in this part of the world," said Sam Harper,
+passing the weapon back; "it's light enough, for I don't suppose it
+weighs more than six or seven pounds."</p>
+
+<p>"It's just the thing for these woods," said Herbert, in his important
+manner, "for I calculate to bring down game a half mile away, if I
+happen to see it."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116"></a>"And provided it will stand still and you can know the exact distance."</p>
+
+<p>"I can tell that by my eye easily enough."</p>
+
+<p>"You can't guess within two hundred yards of it, if your life depended
+on it."</p>
+
+<p>"That remains to be seen."</p>
+
+<p>"The first time you try it will prove it. I have seen them shoot with
+the telescopes, globe, and peep sights and all the new fangled notions,
+and they're good only for fancy shooting. You've got to use that
+breech-loader off-hand, just as I do, or it won't be worth a cent to
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"I understand that a big black bear has been seen in the woods," said
+Herbert, in his loftiest style; "I've come to kill him."</p>
+
+<p>Nick and Sam looked significantly at each other, and Nick said:</p>
+
+<p>"That is what we are after; won't you join us?"</p>
+
+<p>Instead of responding promptly, Herbert said:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't know as I have any objection to letting you go with me,
+though you must promise to do as I say."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117"></a>Without giving this pledge, the two said they would render all the help
+they could, and the party moved on down the creek toward the pond.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you a dog?" asked Nick of their new recruit.</p>
+
+<p>"No, what do I want of a dog? He would only be a bother; you ought to
+send back that pumpkin of yours."</p>
+
+<p>"We don't expect him to be of much help, except to find the track of the
+bear, if he is anywhere in the neighborhood&mdash;<i>there!</i> do you hear that?"</p>
+
+<p>At that moment Bowser, who had trotted into the woods ahead, gave
+utterance to a hoarse, resounding bay, which sounded as though his voice
+had also changed, for it ended in a dismal squeaking howl that made all
+laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"He is on the track of something," said Nick in some excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"A rabbit, I am sure," remarked Herbert, with a sneer.</p>
+
+<p>The three started off at a rapid walk, which occasionally broke into a
+trot, and following <a name="Page_118" id="Page_118"></a>the baying of the hound they turned to the right
+before reaching the big pond, and struck into the very heart of the
+woods.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert was so much taller and lighter than his companions that he drew
+away from them once or twice, but was obliging enough to stop and wait.</p>
+
+<p>Hurrying along in this headlong fashion they soon stopped, all pretty
+well out of breath.</p>
+
+<p>Although Herbert had laughed at their tardiness, he was the most
+exhausted and the first one to wish to rest.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h3>
+
+<h4>A SURPRISE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>All this time the baying of the hound continued, the sounds showing that
+he had circled and was approaching the boys, who were not a little
+astonished at the unexpected turn of affairs.</p>
+
+<p>"That's a pretty dog," laughed Herbert; "he is making fools of us all."</p>
+
+<p>"There isn't any need of that so far as <i>you</i> are concerned," retorted
+Nick, losing patience with the slurs of their companion. "You had better
+wait till you find out what it means before you condemn Bowser."</p>
+
+<p>Herbert made no answer, for the dog was now so close that the interest
+of all was centered on his actions.</p>
+
+<p>"My gracious, what a terrible racket he makes!" exclaimed Nick; "there
+must be something unusual to excite Bowser like that."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120"></a>The dog was not heard for several minutes, but the crashing through the
+undergrowth sounded nearer and nearer, and, as Sam declared, showed that
+Bowser had steam up and was going for something.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the bushes parted only a short ways from where the three
+wondering lads stood, and, instead of the hound, some kind of a wild
+animal came toward them on a dead run.</p>
+
+<p>The group were too amazed to think of the guns they held, and only
+stared in mute wonder.</p>
+
+<p>The game did not see them until within a hundred feet, when he whirled
+at right angles and plunged away with arrowy speed.</p>
+
+<p>As he did so, he exposed his flank to the young hunters, who could not
+have been given a better opportunity to bring him down, for the throwing
+forward of the foreleg, opened his most vulnerable part to the bullet.</p>
+
+<p>But none was sent after him; at that instant he was recognized as a fine
+buck deer, with branching antlers thrown back so that they seemed to
+rest on his spine, while his legs were <a name="Page_121" id="Page_121"></a>flung straight in front and then
+backward, as he took his long graceful leaps.</p>
+
+<p>The boys had set out to hunt a bear, and were astounded that, when they
+dared not hope they were anywhere in his vicinity, a splendid deer
+should spring up and dash by them.</p>
+
+<p>Before they could give utterance to their amazement, Bowser came along
+with his nose to the ground and baying hoarsely.</p>
+
+<p>Just as he turned to follow the deer, Herbert Watrous raised his
+breech-loader to his shoulder and fired point blank at him.</p>
+
+<p>"What did you do that for?" demanded Sam Harper, striding threateningly
+toward him with his fist raised.</p>
+
+<p>"Why&mdash;why&mdash;I declare! I thought it was the bear!" exclaimed the abashed
+Herbert; "I never dreamed it was the dog."</p>
+
+<p>Sam was not disposed to believe this story, and he stood irresolute,
+strongly inclined to punish the city youth who had fired at his hound;
+but Nick compelled his angry friend to laugh by saying:</p>
+
+<p>"You shouldn't be mad, Sam, for Bowser is <a name="Page_122" id="Page_122"></a>safe so long as Herbert aims
+at him. I don't think he came within twenty feet. If he should hit him
+you can make up your mind it is an accident."</p>
+
+<p>Herbert hardly knew how to answer this remark, for he saw that he had
+not done a very creditable thing, view it as he might, so he made a
+radical turn in the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"Who would have thought it, boys? We've got not only a bear, but a deer
+to hunt, and I say, may the best fellow win!"</p>
+
+<p>And with this manly sentiment on his lips he broke into a rapid run
+after the buck and hound, the others following, forgetful of the little
+flurry a few minutes before.</p>
+
+<p>It was not in the order of things that the lads should be able to make
+their way through the woods and undergrowth with anything like the speed
+of the fallow deer or dog. Hunters don't expect to overtake their game
+in anything like a fair chase when all are on foot, but resort to
+stratagem.</p>
+
+<p>By stationing themselves so as to head off a deer, they secure the one
+shot which is all-sufficient. It would be counted an extremely <a name="Page_123" id="Page_123"></a>good
+piece of fortune could they obtain such a fair target as has already
+been given the young hunters; and, having let it pass unimproved, they
+scarcely would have expected to be so favored again.</p>
+
+<p>It was natural, therefore, that they should make a pell-mell rush after
+the deer and hound, and that they should keep going until, once more,
+they were forced to stop from exhaustion.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the baying of Bowser came to them so faintly that it was
+plain he was a mile distant at the least, while there could be little
+doubt that the buck was much farther off.</p>
+
+<p>"Well!" exclaimed the panting Herbert Watrous, "I can't say I see much
+fun in this; it's too much like chasing a railroad train."</p>
+
+<p>"No," added Nick, "I don't see that there is any hope of running down
+the deer, who is more used to traveling than we are."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe he'll come round in a circle again," said Sam, "and we may have
+another chance to see him sail by, while not one of us raises his gun."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose we ought to understand some<a name="Page_124" id="Page_124"></a>thing more about the habits of
+the deer, so that we would know what course he would be likely to take.
+We could then get there ahead of him and fire as soon as he gave us a
+chance."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," added Sam, with a sigh, "he seems to have taken the route we
+were going to follow to hunt the bear, so we may as well tramp along. We
+may get a glimpse of a buffalo or elephant next."</p>
+
+<p>The baying of the hound had ceased, and, though the boys often stopped
+and listened, they heard nothing more of it.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess he has caught the deer," said Herbert, who showed a desire to
+speak well of Bowser since he had failed to shoot him, "and is waiting
+for us."</p>
+
+<p>But Sam shook his head; he knew the canine too well to believe him
+capable of such an exploit as that.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think he ever ran down anything yet, unless it was a chicken or
+cat&mdash;hallo!"</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the subject of their conversation appeared on the scene,
+approaching as quietly as though the boys were sheep that he wished to
+surprise.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125"></a>He slouched along with a lazy, tired gait, his tongue out, and dripping
+with perspiration, while he panted as though he had been on the severest
+chase of his life, which most likely was the fact.</p>
+
+<p>He lay down at the feet of Sam Harper, and, stretching out his paws,
+rested his head between them as much as to say, "Gentlemen, I have had
+enough of this sport, and resign; you will now carry it on without my
+assistance."</p>
+
+<p>"He is tired out, and I don't wonder," said Sam, stooping over and
+patting the head of the hound; "he ain't used to deer hunting, and don't
+know much more about it than do we."</p>
+
+<p>"Then he don't know anything," was the truthful observation of Nick
+Ribsam.</p>
+
+<p>"It's my opinion that it's best to give up hunting that particular deer
+until we learn a little more about the right way to do it."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h3>
+
+<h4>THE DINNER IN THE WOODS.</h4>
+
+
+<p>By this time it was close to the hour of noon, and the young hunters
+were hungry. They had brought no lunch with them, for that would have
+been an admission that they doubted their own ability to provide food
+for themselves in a country abounding with game.</p>
+
+<p>Nick Ribsam had a paper of salt and pepper mixed, with which to season
+their dinner as soon as it should be secured.</p>
+
+<p>The common red squirrels, or chickarees, were so plentiful that they
+were nearly always in sight, and, without moving from where they stood,
+the lads descried several running along the limbs of the trees.</p>
+
+<p>"Let each of us shoot one," said Sam, walking forth to get a better aim
+at a fellow perched high on the branch of a large oak.</p>
+
+<p>Slowly bringing his gun to his shoulder, he <a name="Page_127" id="Page_127"></a>took careful aim, and the
+game came tumbling through the leaves to the ground, his head punctured
+by the cruel bullet. Bowser started at a lazy walk to bring the body in,
+but Sam stopped him and picked it up himself.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I will take <i>that</i> one," said Herbert, indicating a squirrel
+which was nearer than the others. It was sitting in the crotch of a
+tree, nigh enough to be struck with a stone flung by a skillful thrower.</p>
+
+<p>The other two watched his actions with some interest as he raised the
+handsome breech-loader. He took a long and deliberate aim, and gave a
+grunt the instant he pulled the trigger, and the sharp report broke the
+stillness of the woods.</p>
+
+<p>Nick and Sam laughed, for the frightened rodent scampered up the tree
+and ran out upon a heavy branch, where he whisked from sight and then
+back again, chattering in such a lively fashion that it was plain he had
+suffered no inconvenience from the bullet sent after him.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'll be hanged!" exclaimed the <a name="Page_128" id="Page_128"></a>chagrined Herbert, "I don't
+understand how that came about."</p>
+
+<p>"The squirrel doesn't seem to understand it, either," said Sam; "let's
+see whether you can do any worse, Nick."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to try and bark him," remarked Nick, cocking his rifle and
+sighting at the little animal.</p>
+
+<p>Before he could make his aim sure, the chickaree started to run along
+the limb, which was large and covered with thick, shaggy bark; but the
+muzzle of the weapon swerved slowly in a corresponding direction, and
+just as the game gathered itself to make a leap, the explosion came.</p>
+
+<p>The others, who were watching the squirrel to note the result, saw
+several pieces of bark suddenly fly upward with such force that the
+rodent was hurled fully a foot above the limb, dropping like a wet rag
+at the feet of the lad, killed, without its skin being broken.</p>
+
+<p>"That was a good shot!" exclaimed Sam Harper admiringly; "no hunter in
+the land could have barked him better than did you."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129"></a>"What do you mean by barking a squirrel?" asked Herbert, who had never
+seen anything of the kind before.</p>
+
+<p>"It is easy enough; all you have to do is to cut the bark right under
+the squirrel's body, so that the pieces fly upward with such force as to
+knock the life from him."</p>
+
+<p>"That's the way I'm going to kill them after this."</p>
+
+<p>"It is best to practice hitting them with the ball first," Nick
+suggested.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert solemnly removed the shell of the cartridge from his
+breech-loader and replaced it with a fresh one, pretending not to hear
+the remark of Nick.</p>
+
+<p>As the two squirrels were large and in excellent condition, it was
+thought they would afford enough dinner for the boys, who went some
+distance farther until they reached a small stream of clear, icy water,
+where they decided to make their fire.</p>
+
+<p>While Nick and Herbert busied themselves gathering some dry twigs and
+sticks, Sam Harper, with his keen knife, skillfully skinned the
+chickarees, dressed them, and then holding <a name="Page_130" id="Page_130"></a>them over the flame on
+green, forked sticks, they were soon cooked to a turn.</p>
+
+<p>For a few minutes before they were ready, the odor of the broiling game
+so sharpened the appetites of the boys that Nick sprang up, and,
+hurrying out in the woods, shot another for Sam to dress and cook.</p>
+
+<p>"Two ain't enough," he said in explanation, as he threw the last to his
+friend; "I can eat a couple myself, and Bowser looks sort of faint."</p>
+
+<p>"The waste parts ought to be enough for him," said Sam, glancing at the
+hound, who had gulped down everything thrown him and was gazing
+wistfully for the next tid-bits that should fall to his share.</p>
+
+<p>The clear, pure air, the vigorous exercise, and the rugged health of the
+boys gave them appetites scarcely less forceful than that of Bowser; and
+when Nick had carefully sprinkled the seasoning over the juicy, crisp
+flesh, and each, taking one of the squirrels in hand, began wrenching
+off the tender meat, he was sure he had never tasted such a delicious
+dinner in all his life.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131"></a>Even Herbert Watrous, accustomed as he was to the delicacies and
+refinements of a city home, admitted that there was something about the
+meal which, washed down with clear, pure water, had a flavor surpassing
+anything of the kind he had ever known.</p>
+
+<p>The causes why it tasted thus I have already stated.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h3>
+
+<h4>A TEST OF MARKSMANSHIP.</h4>
+
+
+<p>The boys were so tired from their severe tramp, and the rest was so
+grateful after finishing their dinner, that they stayed where they were
+an hour longer. Then, realizing that nothing could be done by idleness,
+they slung their reloaded rifles over their shoulders, took another
+drink of water, and lazily made their way to higher ground.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been thinking," said Nick, when they paused again, "that we will
+be more likely to learn something of the bear if we separate."</p>
+
+<p>"For how long?" Herbert asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Until night, or until we find him."</p>
+
+<p>"But how can we find each other at night?"</p>
+
+<p>"That can be fixed easily enough; if necessary, we can signal to each
+other, or we can pick out some landmark that can be seen a <a name="Page_133" id="Page_133"></a>long ways
+off and gradually approach that as the sun goes down."</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing brilliant in this proposition, but after some
+discussion it was agreed to by the others, and they began looking around
+for something which might serve them as a guide.</p>
+
+<p>Directly to the north, the woods rose in a series of hills of no great
+elevation, but among them were numerous large rocks of limestone
+formation, some of them of such a light color that they could be seen a
+long distance.</p>
+
+<p>"Right yonder," said Nick, pointing toward the largest, "is one which we
+cannot mistake; let's agree to meet there at nightfall and go into camp.
+If either one of us loses his reckoning he will fire his gun and the
+others will answer him, so there need be no danger at all."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see as there would be any danger if we failed to find each
+other before morning," said Sam; "we are not in a wild country where
+Indians will hunt for us."</p>
+
+<p>"There ain't any danger," said Herbert, "only it will be a great deal
+more pleasant to <a name="Page_134" id="Page_134"></a>spend the night together; you will feel safer by
+knowing that I am with you with my patent breech-loader."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Nick, "for by keeping close to you there won't be half as
+much likelihood of being hit when you fire at something else."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't tried yet," said Herbert; "my gun is a long-distance shooter:
+there's where I get my work in. Show me a mark a good long distance off
+and you'll open your eyes."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I declare, if that doesn't beat all!"</p>
+
+<p>It was Sam Harper who uttered this exclamation. He had been gazing
+steadily at a broad, flat rock about a quarter of a mile distant to the
+northwest of them, and his words announced that he had made some
+important discovery.</p>
+
+<p>The peculiar tone in which he spoke caused the others to turn toward him
+and ask the cause.</p>
+
+<p>"Look at that yellowish white rock," he answered, pointing toward it,
+"and tell me whether that isn't a little ahead of anything yet."</p>
+
+<p>One brief searching glance showed that the<a name="Page_135" id="Page_135"></a><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136"></a> <a name="Page_137" id="Page_137"></a>young man had sufficient
+cause for his excitement.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/image002.jpg" alt="Now I'll show you what my Creedmoor will do" title="Now I'll show you what my Creedmoor will do" /></div>
+<p class='center'><b>"Now I'll show you what my Creedmoor will do," said
+Herbert Watrous.</b></p>
+
+
+
+<p>Standing on the top of the rock, so that his figure was thrown in clear
+relief against the tinted sky behind him, was the very buck they had
+been vainly chasing. He seemed to be looking back at the young hunters
+as though he disdained their prowess and defied them to renew their
+attempt to bring him down.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>That's my chance!</i>" exclaimed Herbert, in excitement; "that's just my
+distance; get out of my way! give me room! now I'll show you what my
+Creedmoor will do, when aimed by a master of the art."</p>
+
+<p>With great display and ceremony the youth prepared to give an exhibition
+of shooting like that shown at the international matches. The others
+stepped back, so as not to impede his movements, and he deliberately
+threw off his cap, got down on his back, raised the rear sight, crossed
+his feet and drew them half way up to his body, then rested the barrel
+of his gun on the support thus furnished between the knees, and with his
+left hand beneath his head, and turned so as to rest against the <a name="Page_138" id="Page_138"></a>stock
+of his gun, while his right was crooked around with the finger lightly
+pressing the trigger, he was in the proper position to make a "crack
+shot."</p>
+
+<p>The others watched his actions with the closest attention, only fearful
+that the deer would not keep his position long enough for Herbert to
+obtain the aim he wished.</p>
+
+<p>The conditions could not have been more favorable; the buck being to the
+northwest, while the sun was high in the heavens, there was no confusion
+of vision from that cause. The smokiness of the atmosphere was so slight
+that it was scarcely perceptible at so brief a distance, while there was
+not the least breath of air stirring.</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid he will lose his chance if he waits too long," said Nick
+impatiently, in an undertone to Sam, who whispered back:</p>
+
+<p>"The buck understands him and will wait."</p>
+
+<p>It was evident that Mr. Herbert Watrous did not mean to spoil his aim by
+haste. Shutting one eye, he squinted carefully through his sights,
+lowering or raising the stock or <a name="Page_139" id="Page_139"></a>barrel so as to shift the aim, until
+at last he had it elevated and pointed to suit him.</p>
+
+<p>Sam watched the buck, while Nick kept his eye on the marksman, who was
+holding his breath, with his finger crowding the trigger harder and
+harder until the explosion came.</p>
+
+<p>As before, Herbert uttered a grunt the instant the piece was discharged,
+and then, hastily clambering to his feet, he put on his cap and said
+with the utmost assurance:</p>
+
+<p>"That bullet struck him in the chest and will be found buried in his
+body."</p>
+
+<p>"He doesn't know you fired at him," said Sam Harper, as the buck, a
+moment later, turned about and walked out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>"The deer doesn't fall at once, even if you drive the bullet through his
+heart. That buck may go a hundred yards or so, but he will then drop as
+if struck by lightning."</p>
+
+<p>The confidence with which these words were uttered puzzled Nick and
+caused him to think that possibly the boaster was right after all, and
+he had made the shot he claimed.</p>
+
+<p>The truth would probably be learned during <a name="Page_140" id="Page_140"></a>the afternoon, for Nick
+meant to learn it for himself.</p>
+
+<p>Now that they agreed to separate, it was decided that Herbert should
+keep straight along the route they had been following. Sam should
+diverge to the right, while Nick would swerve far enough to the left to
+pass the rock whereupon the buck stood at the time he was shot or rather
+shot at.</p>
+
+<p>"I am bound to find out the truth," said Nick, with a shake of the head.</p>
+
+<p>And so he did; but little did he dream of what was to happen to him
+during this search for the truth.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h3>
+
+<h4>A QUAIL.</h4>
+
+
+<p>As the hound belonged to Sam Harper and showed a disposition to go with
+him, he was allowed to do so, the lad moving off to the right and Nick
+Ribsam to the left, as was agreed upon.</p>
+
+<p>Nick had not his father's watch with him, but Herbert Watrous carried a
+handsome gold hunting-piece, which was now consulted and showed it was
+nearly two o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>"The days are getting short," said Sam Harper, with a doubtful shake of
+the head; "that doesn't leave us more than three hours of daylight, and
+it is hardly worth while to part company."</p>
+
+<p>"What's the odds?" laughed Nick, who was anxious to look for the deer;
+"we won't be far apart, as we may be to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>And, without waiting to discuss the question, he struck to the left with
+his strong step, <a name="Page_142" id="Page_142"></a>the others following the courses already mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>No afternoon could have been more charming, with the summer lingering
+and mellowing the approaching winter.</p>
+
+<p>The faint, smoky haze of the atmosphere, the clear sky, the warm sun,
+the brilliant-hued vegetation in the woods, the faint cawing of crows in
+the distance, and the flight of birds overhead, looking like
+mathematical figures in India-ink gliding across the blue heavens, the
+delicious languor everywhere: all these were at their best, and he who
+was wandering through the rainbow-tinted forest, where the sleepy waters
+flowed, could well understand why it was the pioneers, like Daniel
+Boone, Simon Kenton, and others, turned their backs on civilization,
+and, plunging into the wilderness, buried themselves for months from the
+sight of their fellow-men.</p>
+
+<p>Sam Harper was moving quietly toward the north, when it seemed to him
+that a large leaf suddenly blew forward from beneath his feet and was
+carried swiftly over the ground, straight ahead and away from him.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143"></a>Looking closely, he discovered that it was a plump quail which he had
+startled, and which was speeding from him. Although the bird has short
+legs it runs very swiftly, and it was gone almost before Sam identified
+it.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, if I could only get a shot at you," said the lad, his mouth fairly
+watering, "what a splendid supper you would make!"</p>
+
+<p>The words were yet in his mouth, when a sudden whirring sound broke the
+air, and he caught a glimpse of a second quail flying like an arrow
+below the principal limbs.</p>
+
+<p>Sam raised his rifle as quick as a flash, took aim as best he could, and
+fired. Even the great Dr. Carver would have missed under such
+circumstances, and the lad came nowhere near hitting the game.</p>
+
+<p>So swift was the flight of the bird, that as soon as the trigger was
+pulled and Sam looked for it it had vanished. That man who handles the
+rifle must be wonderfully skillful to bring down one of those birds on
+the wing.</p>
+
+<p>It is curious how the name of the common quail is disputed and varied.
+There are plenty who will insist that I should have <a name="Page_144" id="Page_144"></a>called this bird a
+partridge, when, in point of fact, there is no true representative of
+the partridge in America.</p>
+
+<p>The spruce partridge is the Canada grouse; the partridge of New England
+is the ruffed grouse; the partridge of the Middle and Southern States is
+the quail, of which several varieties are called partridges; while in
+Europe the birds which are called quails are in reality partridges.</p>
+
+<p>Without tiring my readers by attempting anything like a scientific
+discussion of the question, I may say there are a dozen species of
+quails found in North and Central America and the West Indies, and Mr.
+Baird proposes that, as neither the name quail, partridge, nor pheasant
+is properly given to any American bird, the species to which I refer
+should be called the Bob White.</p>
+
+<p>If this should be done, the smallest urchin will be able to recognize
+the species from its peculiar call.</p>
+
+<p>Sam Harper would have been glad indeed if he could have secured one of
+these delicious birds for supper, but there was little prospect <a name="Page_145" id="Page_145"></a>of
+doing so. The game looks so much like the brown and mottled leaves among
+which it searches for food, that a hunter would almost place his foot
+upon one without observing it, while the nest of the quail or partridge
+is almost as impossible to find as the remains of an elephant in Ceylon,
+where it is said no such remains have ever been discovered.</p>
+
+<p>One of the lessons Sam had learned from his father was to reload his gun
+immediately after firing it, so as to be ready for any emergency.
+Accordingly, before stirring from his place, he threw out the shell from
+his breech-loader and replaced it with a new cartridge.</p>
+
+<p>Just as he did so, he heard the report of a gun only a short distance to
+the left, at a point where Herbert Watrous should have been.</p>
+
+<p>"He's scared up something," was the natural conclusion of Sam, who
+smiled as he added; "I wonder whether he could hit a bear a dozen feet
+off with that wonderful Remington of his. It's a good weapon, and I wish
+I owned one; but I wouldn't start out to hunt big game until I learned
+something about it."</p>
+
+<p>The boy waited a minute, listening for some <a name="Page_146" id="Page_146"></a>signal from his companion,
+but none was heard and he moved on again.</p>
+
+<p>Sam, like many an amateur hunter, began to appreciate the value of a
+trained hunting dog. Bowser was not a pure-blooded hound; he was fat and
+he was faultily trained. He had stumbled upon the trail of the buck by
+accident and had plunged ahead in pursuit, until "pumped," when he
+seemed to lose all interest in the sport.</p>
+
+<p>He now stayed close to Sam, continually looking up in his face as if to
+ask him when he was going to stop the nonsense and go back home.</p>
+
+<p>He scarcely pricked his ears when the quail ran ahead of him, and paid
+no attention to the whirring made by the other. He had had all he wanted
+of that kind of amusement and showed no disposition to tire himself any
+further.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h3>
+
+<h4>AN UNEXPECTED LESSON.</h4>
+
+
+<p>As it was the height of the hunting season, the reports of guns were
+heard at varying distances through the woods, so that Sam could only
+judge when they were fired by his friends from their nearness to him.</p>
+
+<p>He was well satisfied that the last shot was from the Remington of
+Herbert, while the one that preceded it a few minutes, he was convinced
+came from the muzzle-loader of Nick Ribsam, owned by Mr. Marston.</p>
+
+<p>"The boys seem to have found something too do, but I don't believe they
+have seen anything of the bear&mdash;hallo!"</p>
+
+<p>His last exclamation was caused by his unexpected arrival at a clearing,
+in the center of which stood a log cabin, while the half acre
+surrounding it showed that it had been cultivated during the season to
+the highest extent.</p>
+
+<p>There was that air of thrift and cleanliness <a name="Page_148" id="Page_148"></a>about the place which told
+the lad that whoever lived within was industrious, frugal, and neat.</p>
+
+<p>"That's a queer place to build a house," said Sam, as he surveyed the
+scene; "no one can earn a living there, and it must make a long walk to
+reach the neighborhood where work is to be had."</p>
+
+<p>Prompted by a natural curiosity, Sam walked over the faintly marked path
+until he stepped upon the piece of hewed log, which answered for a
+porch, directly in front of the door.</p>
+
+<p>Although the latch string hung invitingly out, he did not pull it, but
+knocked rather gently.</p>
+
+<p>"Come in!" was called out in a female voice, and the boy immediately
+opened the door.</p>
+
+<p>A pleasing, neatly-clad young woman was working with her dishes at a
+table, while a fat chub of a boy, about two years old, was playing on
+the floor with a couple of kittens.</p>
+
+<p>The mother, as she evidently was, turned her head so as to face the
+visitor, nodded <a name="Page_149" id="Page_149"></a>cheerily, bade him good afternoon, and told him to help
+himself to one of the chairs, whose bottoms were made of white mountain
+ash, as fine and pliable as silken ribbons.</p>
+
+<p>Sam was naturally courteous, and, thanking the lady for her invitation,
+he sat down, placing his cap on his knee. He said he was out on a hunt
+with some friends, and coming upon the cabin thought he would make a
+call, and learn whether he could be of any service to the lady and her
+child.</p>
+
+<p>The mother thanked him, and said that fortunately she was not in need of
+any help, as her husband was well and able to provide her with all she
+needed.</p>
+
+<p>Without giving the conversation in detail, it may be said that Sam
+Harper learned a lesson, during his brief stay in that humble cabin,
+which will go with him through life: it was a lesson of cheerfulness and
+contentment, to which he often refers, and which makes him thankful that
+he was led to turn aside from his sport even for a short while.</p>
+
+<p>The husband of the woman worked for a farmer who lived fully four miles
+away, on <a name="Page_150" id="Page_150"></a>the northern edge of the woods, and who paid only scant wages.
+The employee walked the four miles out so as to reach the farm by seven
+o'clock in the morning, and he did not leave until six in the evening.
+He did this summer and winter, through storm and sunshine, and was
+happy.</p>
+
+<p>He lived in the lonely log cabin, because his employer owned it and gave
+him the rent free. It had been erected by some wood-choppers several
+years before, and was left by them when through with their contract, so
+that it was nothing to any one who did not occupy it.</p>
+
+<p>The young man, although now the embodiment of rugged health and
+strength, had lain on a bed of sickness for six months, during which he
+hovered between life and death. His wife never left his side during that
+time for more than a few minutes, and the physician was scarcely less
+faithful. At last the wasting fever vanished, and the husband and father
+came back to health and strength again.</p>
+
+<p>But he was in debt to the extent of $200, and he and his wife determined
+on the most <a name="Page_151" id="Page_151"></a>rigid economy until the last penny should be paid.</p>
+
+<p>"If Fred keeps his health," said the cheery woman, "we shall be out of
+debt at the end of two years more. Won't you bring your friends and stay
+with us to-night?"</p>
+
+<p>This invitation was given with great cordiality, and Sam would have been
+glad to accept it, but he declined, through consideration for the brave
+couple, who would certainly be put to inconvenience by entertaining
+three visitors.</p>
+
+<p>Sam thanked her for her kindness, and, rising to go, drew back the door
+and remarked:</p>
+
+<p>"I notice you have a good rifle over the mantle; I don't see how your
+husband can get much time to use it."</p>
+
+<p>"He doesn't; it is I who shoot the game, which saves half the cost of
+food; but," added the plucky little woman, "there is one game which I am
+very anxious to bring down."</p>
+
+<p>"What is that?"</p>
+
+<p>"<i>A bear.</i>"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know whether there are any in the woods?"</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152"></a>"There is one, and I think more. My husband has seen it twice, and he
+took the gun with him when going to work, in the hope of gaining a
+chance to shoot it; but, when I caught sight of it on the edge of the
+clearing, he thought it best to leave the rifle for me to use."</p>
+
+<p>"Why are you so anxious to shoot the bear?" asked Sam.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it isn't a very pleasant neighbor, and I have to keep little
+Tommy in the house all the time for fear the brute will seize him. Then,
+beside that, the bear has carried off some of Mr. Bailey's (that's the
+man my husband works for) pigs, and has so frightened his family that
+Mr. Bailey said he would give us twenty dollars for the hide of every
+bear we brought him."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope it may be your fortune to shoot all in the woods," said Sam, as
+he bade her good-day again, and passed out and across the clearing into
+the forest.</p>
+
+<p>"That's about the bravest woman I ever saw," said the lad to himself, as
+he moved thoughtfully in the direction of the limestone-<a name="Page_153" id="Page_153"></a>rock, where it
+was agreed the three should meet to spend the night; "she ought to win,
+and if this crowd of bear hunters succeed in bagging the old fellow we
+will present him to her."</p>
+
+<p>The thought was a pleasing one to Sam, who walked a short way farther,
+when he added, with a grim smile, "But I don't think that bear will lose
+any night's sleep on account of being disturbed by <i>this</i> crowd."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h3>
+
+<h4>BOWSER PROVES HIMSELF OF SOME USE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Sam Harper saw, from the position of the sun in the heavens, that he had
+stayed longer than he intended to in the cabin, and the short afternoon
+was drawing to a close.</p>
+
+<p>He therefore moved at a brisk walk for a quarter of a mile, Bowser
+trotting at his heels as though he thought such a laborious gait
+uncalled for; but, as the lad then observed that the large limestone was
+not far away, he slackened his pace, and sat down on a fallen tree to
+rest.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a queer sort of a hunt," he said to himself, "and I don't see
+what chance there is of any one of us three doing anything at all.
+Bowser isn't worth a copper to hunt with; all there was in him expended
+itself when he chased the buck and let it get away from him&mdash;hallo,
+Bowser, what's the matter with you?"</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155"></a>The hound just then began acting as though he felt the slighting
+remarks of his master, and meant to make him sorry therefor.</p>
+
+<p>He uttered several sharp yelps and began circling around the fallen tree
+on which Sam was sitting. He went with what might be called a nervous
+gallop, frequently turning about and circumnavigating the lad and the
+log in the opposite direction.</p>
+
+<p>All the time he kept up his barking and demonstrations, now and then
+running up to Sam, galloping several paces away, and then looking toward
+him and barking again with great vigor.</p>
+
+<p>Sam watched his antics with amusement and interest.</p>
+
+<p>"He acts as though he wanted me to follow him from this spot, though I
+cannot understand why he wants me to do that, since he is so lazy he
+would be glad to lie down and stay here till morning."</p>
+
+<p>Studying the maneuvers of the hound, Sam became satisfied that the brute
+was seeking to draw him away from the fallen tree on which he was
+sitting.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156"></a>The dog became more excited every minute. He trotted back and forth,
+running up to his young master and then darting off again, looking
+appealingly toward Sam, who finally saw that his actions meant something
+serious.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know why he wishes me to leave, but he has some reason for it,
+and I will try to find out."</p>
+
+<p>Sam slowly rose from the fallen oak tree on which he was sitting, and as
+he did so his cap fairly lifted from his head with terror.</p>
+
+<p>He caught the glint and scintillation in the sunlight of something on
+the ground on the other side of the trunk, and separated from him only
+by the breadth thereof, at the same instant that his ear detected the
+whirring rattle which told the fact that an immense rattlesnake had
+coiled itself therefor, and had just given its warning signal that it
+meant to strike.</p>
+
+<p>Sam Harper never made such a quick leap in all his life as he did, when
+he bounded several feet from the log, with a yell as if the ground
+beneath him had become suddenly red-hot.</p>
+
+<p>There is nothing on the broad earth which is <a name="Page_157" id="Page_157"></a>held in such universal
+abhorrence as a snake, the sight of which sends a shiver of disgust and
+dread over nearly every one that looks upon it.</p>
+
+<p>When Sam sat down on the fallen tree, he was probably almost near enough
+for the coiled <i>crotalus</i> to bury its fangs in him. It reared its head,
+and, without uttering its customary warning, most likely measured the
+intervening space with the purpose of striking.</p>
+
+<p>The instinct of Bowser at this juncture told him of the peril of his
+master, and he began his demonstrations, intended to draw him away from
+the spot. At the same time, his barking, and trotting back and forth,
+diverted the attention of the rattlesnake to the hound, and thereby
+prevented him striking the unsuspicious boy.</p>
+
+<p>It must have been, also, that during these few minutes the serpent
+vibrated his tail more than once, for the nature of the reptile leads
+him to do so; but the sound could not have been very loud, as it failed
+to attract the attention of Sam until he rose from the log and turned
+partly about.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158"></a>The boy moved around the head of the fallen tree, so as to place
+himself on the same side with the rattlesnake, and then he spent a
+minute or two in contemplating him at that safe distance.</p>
+
+<p>He was a large one, with sixteen rattles and a button. He lay coiled in
+several perfect rings, with his tail softly vibrating and his head
+thrown back, as if he expected his enemy to come nigh enough for him to
+bury his curved needle-like fangs in some portion of his body, injecting
+his poison, so deadly that nothing could have saved the boy from dying
+within a few minutes.</p>
+
+<p>The first natural feeling which comes over one when he sees a crawling
+snake is to kill it, and Sam Harper did not wait long before yielding to
+his inclination.</p>
+
+<p>Standing less than a rod distant, he brought his gun to his shoulder,
+and sighted at the head of the venomous reptile, which was held almost
+stationary, while the crimson tongue darted in and out as if it were a
+tiny spray of blood.</p>
+
+<p>The aim was true, and the head was <a name="Page_159" id="Page_159"></a>shattered as though the cartridge
+had exploded within it. The body made a few furious writhings and
+struggles, and then became still.</p>
+
+<p>Sam viewed the ruin he had wrought for a minute or so, and then,
+appreciating the service his dog had wrought him, he turned and patted
+the animal.</p>
+
+<p>"You're a fine dog, Bowser, and I forgive you for being good for
+nothing."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h3>
+
+<h4>FACE TO FACE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Herbert Watrous, when he separated from his companions on that balmy
+afternoon in Indian summer, assumed a loftiness of bearing which was far
+from genuine.</p>
+
+<p>The fact was, he felt dissatisfied with himself, or rather with the
+rifle which his indulgent father had presented to him only a few weeks
+before.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't like the way the thing behaves," he said, as he stopped to
+examine it; "father paid one hundred and twenty-five dollars for it, and
+it was warranted the best. It's pretty hard to hit a deer a quarter of a
+mile off, but I ought to have brought down that squirrel which was only
+a hundred feet distant."</p>
+
+<p>He turned the weapon over and over in his hand, looked down the barrel,
+tried the hammer and trigger, carefully examined the wind-<a name="Page_161" id="Page_161"></a>gauge and
+vernier rear-sights, but could not see that anything was out of order.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid it was my fault," he said, with a sigh, "but it will never
+do to let the boys know it. I'll insist that I struck the buck, though
+I'm afraid I didn't."</p>
+
+<p>After going a little ways he noticed he was walking over a path which
+was not marked very distinctly; it was, in fact, the route which Mr.
+Fred Fowler, the industrious dweller in the log cabin, had worn for
+himself in going to and from his work.</p>
+
+<p>"That's lucky," said the lad, "for it's much easier traveling over a
+path like that than tramping among the trees, where you have to walk
+twice as far as there is any need of&mdash;confound it!"</p>
+
+<p>This impatient remark was caused by a protruding branch, which just then
+caught Herbert under the chin and almost lifted him off his feet.</p>
+
+<p>The boy was sensible enough to understand that his failure to display
+any good marksmanship was due to his own want of practice rather than to
+any fault of his piece.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162"></a>"That Nick Ribsam can beat me out of my boots; I never heard of such a
+thing as 'barking' a squirrel till he showed me how it is done, and he
+used a gun that is older than himself. Well, Nick was always smarter
+than other boys; he is younger than I, and I have taken sparring lessons
+of the best teachers in the country, while he never heard of such a
+thing as science in using his fists; but he just sailed into me that
+day, and the first thing I knew he had me down, and was banging himself
+on me so hard that I have never got over the flattening out&mdash;hallo!"</p>
+
+<p>A gray squirrel, flirting its bushy tail, whisked across the path in
+front of him that moment, scampered up a hickory and perched itself near
+the top, where it offered the best chance for a shot that one could
+wish.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I'll see what I can do," muttered Herbert, sighting at the saucy
+little fellow, who seemed to be ridiculing his purpose of reaching it
+with a bullet at such a height.</p>
+
+<p>The young hunter aimed with great care, pressed the trigger, and, as the
+sharp report rang through the woods, the squirrel came <a name="Page_163" id="Page_163"></a>tumbling to the
+ground, with its skull shattered.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert Watrous was surprised and delighted, scarcely believing in his
+own success. He picked up the slain rodent and saw that its destruction
+had been caused by the bullet he fired.</p>
+
+<p>"That's business," he exclaimed, with a thrill of pride; "but why
+couldn't I shoot that way when Nick and Sam were looking at me? I know
+how the thing is done now, and when we get together I'll give them some
+lessons in marksmanship."</p>
+
+<p>He left the squirrel on the ground, but had not gone far when a new idea
+struck him and he came back, picked it up, and put it in his game-bag.</p>
+
+<p>"If I show them a squirrel, they can't help believing that I shot him."</p>
+
+<p>The serious question which Herbert had been discussing with himself,
+ever since being alone, was what he would do if he should happen to come
+upon the bear. He had not quite so much confidence in his gun as he had
+when he started out, though the shooting of the <a name="Page_164" id="Page_164"></a>squirrel brought back
+considerable of his natural assurance.</p>
+
+<p>The conclusion he reached was that it would be just as well if he and
+bruin did not meet. Excellent as was his Remington, it was not a
+repeating rifle, and he was afraid that one shot, even if well aimed,
+would not be enough.</p>
+
+<p>"If I had a Henry, which shoots sixteen shots in sixteen seconds, I
+could fill him so full of lead that he couldn't run fast enough to
+overtake me if I didn't happen to kill him."</p>
+
+<p>But the Henry, which he desired so much, was beyond his reach, and it
+was idle to wish for it.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, he slung his gun over his shoulder in true sportsman style,
+and strode along the path until the greater part of the distance was
+passed, when, like his friends, he found a fallen tree at a convenient
+spot and sat down for a rest.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert, in his luxurious home in the city, had become accustomed to
+irregular hours, so that it was now the most natural thing in the world
+for him to fall asleep and not open his <a name="Page_165" id="Page_165"></a>eyes until he shivered with
+cold and it was growing dark around him.</p>
+
+<p>He started up in no little surprise, and, recalling where he was,
+hastened along the path toward the camp.</p>
+
+<p>"They'll be worried almost to death about me," was his thought, "and I
+shouldn't wonder if they start out to hunt me up. Ah!"</p>
+
+<p>The reverberating report of a rifle came from the direction of the
+limestone rock, and he felt no doubt that it was meant as a signal to
+direct him.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert replied by firing his own gun in the air and shouting that he
+was coming. He did not forget to place another cartridge in his rifle,
+for, truth to tell, he was a little nervous over this lonely tramp
+through the woods at such a late hour.</p>
+
+<p>He listened, and heard the answering shout of Sam Harper, and,
+communication being thus established, Herbert held his peace and
+hastened forward as best he could in the faint moonlight.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope I won't meet any sort of game <a name="Page_166" id="Page_166"></a>now," was the wish of the lad,
+"for I am in a hurry to join the boys&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Could he believe his eyes!</p>
+
+<p>He had hardly given expression to the wish, when a dark mass loomed up
+to sight directly ahead of him, and he plainly saw the gleam and glow of
+a pair of frightful eyes fixed upon him. He was sure, too, that he had
+heard the threatening growl of the monster, which might well believe he
+had the youngster in his power.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the bear, as sure as I'm alive!" gasped Herbert. "There's no
+getting away from him! Heaven save me from missing, for if my gun fails
+me now, it is all over! He won't give me time to climb a tree, and I
+<i>must</i> shoot!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h3>
+
+<h4>THE "VACANT CHAIR."</h4>
+
+
+<p>It is hard to imagine a more trying situation than that of Master
+Herbert Watrous, who, while walking along a path in the woods, saw by
+the faint moonlight what he believed to be the figure of an enormous
+black bear, sitting on its haunches, and waiting for him to move either
+forward or backward before springing upon him.</p>
+
+<p>He shuddered with fear, but, with a courage hardly to be expected in his
+case, he drew up his rifle, sighted as best he could, and fired
+point-blank at the brute, when no more than a rod separated the two.</p>
+
+<p>It was impossible to miss, even with such an unsteady aim, and the lad
+had not a particle of doubt that he had hit him; but had he inflicted a
+mortal wound?</p>
+
+<p>Without waiting an unnecessary second, Herbert flung out the shell of
+the cartridge and <a name="Page_168" id="Page_168"></a>placed a new one in the breech. His hands trembled so
+that he could hardly keep from dropping it, but he succeeded better than
+would have been supposed.</p>
+
+<p>Once more the gun was raised, and the leaden missile was buried in the
+dark object.</p>
+
+<p>But it did not stir, and the amazed lad was transfixed. What did it
+mean?</p>
+
+<p>"I'll give him another, and if that don't answer&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>From out the gloom in front he discerned a figure advancing upon him,
+but a second glance showed that it was a man instead of a wild animal.</p>
+
+<p>"Hallo, my friend? what are you firing at?"</p>
+
+<p>The voice was such a cheery one that the courage of Herbert instantly
+came back, and it may be said that he was never gladder in all his life
+to see a person.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I thought that was a wild animal&mdash;that is, a bear, in the path in
+front of me; what is it?"</p>
+
+<p>The man laughed heartily.</p>
+
+<p>"The path makes a little bend right there, <a name="Page_169" id="Page_169"></a>so it is not in, but beside
+the path; it is an oak stump on which you have been wasting your lead."</p>
+
+<p>"But those glaring eyes&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"That is fox-fire, which does look odd in the night-time."</p>
+
+<p>"But I heard it growling."</p>
+
+<p>"Be assured it was all imagination, my young friend; there is no bear or
+wild animal near us&mdash;at least he hasn't shown himself yet."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm blamed glad to hear it, for there isn't much fun in hunting
+wild beasts when it is too dark to aim well: may I ask how it is you
+happen along here without a gun?"</p>
+
+<p>"I live only a little ways off, and, if you will go back with me, I will
+be glad to entertain you over night."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm obliged to you, but I have two friends who are expecting me, up by
+the rock yonder."</p>
+
+<p>"I judged you belonged to the party, but there is only one of them
+there, unless the other has come since I left. The one named Harper, who
+called at my house this afternoon, is there, and has started his camp
+fire. He is <a name="Page_170" id="Page_170"></a>impatient for the others to come in, and asked me to tell
+you, if we met, that he particularly wished you to 'hurry up your
+cakes'&mdash;I suppose you know what that means."</p>
+
+<p>"I do, and will bid you good-night."</p>
+
+<p>They exchanged pleasant greetings, and separated, each to pursue his own
+way.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert was anxious to join his friends; for the fact that he had fired
+into a stump, under the belief that it was a bear, was no proof that the
+dreaded quadruped was not somewhere in the neighborhood.</p>
+
+<p>As the path, which he was able to keep without difficulty, led by the
+rock where the three lads were to meet, he had not gone far when he
+caught the starlike twinkle of a point of light, which told him he was
+not far from camp.</p>
+
+<p>"Hallo, Sam, are you there?" called out Herbert, while yet a
+considerable distance off.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. What makes you so late?" was the impatient response and question.</p>
+
+<p>Without pausing to reply, Herbert hurried forward and a few minutes
+later joined Sam Harper, who had a large fire going, and had <a name="Page_171" id="Page_171"></a>broiled a
+squirrel and a rabbit, both of which were in fine condition.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's Nick?" asked Sam, as soon as he saw the youth was alone.</p>
+
+<p>"How should I know anything about him? I haven't seen him since we
+parted."</p>
+
+<p>"It's mighty queer, any way you may look at it; Nick is always the most
+prompt to keep any bargain he made, and I haven't seen anything of him
+for hours. He ought to have been here the very first."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you signaled to him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have fired off my gun, and shouted and whistled till my cheeks ache,
+and I haven't had the first show of an answer."</p>
+
+<p>The manner in which these disheartening words were uttered showed that
+Sam Harper was ill at ease, not so much over the continued absence of
+Nick, as from his utter silence. It was fully understood by all, that,
+if anything happened to either one, he was to signal immediately to the
+others.</p>
+
+<p>Neither Herbert nor Sam had heard Nick's rifle, though it might have
+been discharged without recognition by them.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172"></a>Herbert had been asleep so long that he could have missed the report
+very readily, while Sam was so far from Nick that the sound of his gun
+could have been mistaken for that fired by some wandering hunter,
+unknown to either.</p>
+
+<p>Every few minutes, Sam halloed or whistled, after Nick's favorite manner
+of signaling, and then the two bent their heads and listened for the
+answer, which came not.</p>
+
+<p>The broiled game remained untasted, for Sam's appetite was suspended,
+and Herbert refused to eat while his companion was in such mental
+trouble.</p>
+
+<p>"There's no use of talking," finally exclaimed Sam, unable to repress
+his uneasiness, "something has gone wrong with Nick, and I'm bound to
+find out what it is."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h3>
+
+<h4>HUNTING A BUCK.</h4>
+
+
+<p>It will be remembered that when Nick Ribsam left his companions, early
+in the afternoon, it was with the resolution to find out whether the
+showy shot made by Herbert Watrous at the buck, had done the execution
+he claimed for it.</p>
+
+<p>This forced him to make a much longer detour than did Sam Harper, and,
+as he was obliged to move with great caution, he found no time to sit
+down and rest or sleep.</p>
+
+<p>The more he reflected on the exploit which Herbert attempted, the more
+did he doubt it.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose they hit a target a mile off, as Sam told me; but that is
+when they know the exact distance. No person can hit a deer a quarter of
+a mile away, unless he does it by chance. Herbert proved he can't shoot
+anything close to him, and it isn't likely he hit the deer by accident,
+for such accidents <a name="Page_174" id="Page_174"></a>don't happen unless it's a person that you don't
+want to hurt."</p>
+
+<p>But he had started out to find the truth of the matter, and it was in
+accordance with his disposition to do so, if it was possible.</p>
+
+<p>Nick knew that if the buck which they had seen was anywhere in the
+neighborhood, it was necessary to proceed with extreme caution to avoid
+giving alarm. The wonder was that it had shown itself after the fright
+caused by the dog.</p>
+
+<p>The drowsy autumn afternoon was well advanced when the boy saw, from his
+surroundings, that he was close to the spot where the deer stood when
+Herbert fired at it with his long-range rifle. There was the rock, but
+the animal was invisible.</p>
+
+<p>Just beyond was an oak which had been upturned by some wrenching tornado
+or storm. The roots protruded upward and from the sides, the dirt still
+clinging to them, so that the bottom spread out like a fan.</p>
+
+<p>The base of the trunk lay flat on the ground, but the branching limbs
+supported the top to that extent that it was raised five or six feet
+<a name="Page_175" id="Page_175"></a>from the earth. Consequently, it sloped away in an incline from the
+crested summit to the base.</p>
+
+<p>Such a sight is not unusual in any forest, for it is the general fashion
+of trees to fall that way; but Nick was struck by the evident fact that,
+although the oak was uprooted, as it is termed, yet enough connection
+with the ground remained to afford nourishment, and to keep life within
+it.</p>
+
+<p>He started toward it, but had moved only a few steps when a slight
+rustling in the undergrowth arrested his attention. Stopping short he
+looked about him, and, with an amazement which can hardly be imagined,
+saw the buck within fifty feet of him.</p>
+
+<p>He was in a clump of undergrowth, and was browsing on some tender
+shoots. His position was such that his side was toward Nick, who first
+caught sight of his antlers above the bushes: and it was a remarkable
+thing that he did not detect the approach of the young hunter, despite
+the caution he used.</p>
+
+<p>The sight was so unexpected that Nick was taken aback, and had a spasm
+of that nervous <a name="Page_176" id="Page_176"></a>affection which sometimes seizes the inexperienced
+hunter, and is known as "buck fever."</p>
+
+<p>Knowing that the game would bound away with the speed of the wind the
+instant he scented danger, the lad brought up his rifle and pointed at
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Nick shook as if he had a chill; it was impossible to control his
+nerves; but, aiming as best he could, he fired. The deer was "hit hard,"
+though not so hard as young Ribsam meant and most ardently desired.</p>
+
+<p>Dropping the breech of his gun, Nick looked to see the result of his
+shot, and found it amazing to a startling degree.</p>
+
+<p>The buck, which was a noble fellow, stopped browsing, and, with his head
+thrown high in air, looked around to learn where his assailant was.
+Catching sight of the staring lad, the animal emitted a furious sniff
+and charged upon him at full speed.</p>
+
+<p>This is a most unusual thing for a deer to do, though many a hunter has
+been killed by a wounded buck or moose, who has turned upon and attacked
+him with the fury of a tiger.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177"></a><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178"></a></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/image003.jpg" alt="He turned on his heel and ran with might and main for
+the fallen tree." title="He turned on his heel and ran with might and main for
+the fallen tree." /></div>
+<p class='center'><b>"He turned on his heel and ran with might and main for
+the fallen tree."</b></p>
+
+
+<p><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179"></a>Nick Ribsam thought it very singular, but he thought it very alarming
+as well, and, without waiting to watch matters further, he turned on his
+heel and ran with might and main for the fallen tree.</p>
+
+<p>The lusty youngster was a good runner, but the buck made three times as
+much speed as he "went for him," with head lowered like a charging bull.</p>
+
+<p>Nick had to think fast, but fast as he thought he couldn't see how the
+fallen oak was to offer him refuge against the fury of the animal, and,
+unless it did so, he was in a bad predicament.</p>
+
+<p>It was impossible to reach any tree in time to climb out of reach, as
+Nellie did when pursued by the bear, and the highest portion of the
+prostrate trunk would not protect him from the antlers of the savage
+buck.</p>
+
+<p>There was no use for the empty rifle as it seemed, and Nick was on the
+point of throwing it away, when it occurred to him that it might still
+serve as a weapon of defense.</p>
+
+<p>"I will club it and see what can be done."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180"></a></p>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h3>
+
+<h4>HUNTED BY A BUCK.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Glancing over his shoulder, Nick Ribsam kept informed of the movements
+of his fierce foe, who was certainly carrying things with a hurricane
+rush.</p>
+
+<p>Finding there was no getting away from him, Nick, just as he reached the
+fallen tree, whirled around and, grasping his rifle by the barrel, swung
+the stock back over his shoulder and poised himself for the blow, which
+he believed must decide his own fate.</p>
+
+<p>The boy made a formidable-looking picture; but it was all lost on the
+buck, which did not halt nor slacken his pace.</p>
+
+<p>It was a terrifying sight as he plunged toward the lad with lowered head
+and glowering front, for the deer was an exceptionally large and
+powerful one, and he meant to kill the individual that had sent the
+bullet into his side, and from which the red blood was already
+streaming.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181"></a>It may be said just here, that Nick Ribsam no longer doubted the
+failure of the long-range shot of Herbert Watrous.</p>
+
+<p>The imperiled lad drew a deep respiration, poised himself on his
+advanced foot, and, swinging to one side, with a view of avoiding the
+full force of the charge, he brought down the stock of his gun with the
+utmost strength he could command.</p>
+
+<p>It descended with great power&mdash;so far as a ten-year-old boy is
+concerned&mdash;but it was not sufficient to throw the buck off his base nor
+to interfere with his plan of procedure.</p>
+
+<p>He struck the lad with tremendous force, sending the gun flying from his
+grasp and knocking Nick fully a dozen feet. Never in all his life had
+the boy received such a terrific shock, which drove the breath from his
+body and sent him spinning, as it seemed, through twenty yards of space.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Nick believed half his bones were broken and that he was mortally
+hurt; but the result of the charge was most extraordinary.</p>
+
+<p>As the antlers of the buck struck him he <a name="Page_182" id="Page_182"></a>was thrown like a limp dummy
+toward the fallen tree, and, in reality, his greatest peril was
+therefrom. Had he been driven with full momentum against the solid
+trunk, he would have been killed as if smitten by a lightning stroke.</p>
+
+<p>But his feet were entangled in some way and he fell headlong, his
+forehead within a few inches of the bark, and his head itself was driven
+under the trunk, which at that point was perhaps a foot above the
+ground.</p>
+
+<p>Instinctively the nearly senseless lad did the only thing that could
+save him. He crawled under the trunk, so that it stood like a roof over
+him.</p>
+
+<p>His head was toward the base, and he pushed along until the lessening
+space would not permit him to go further.</p>
+
+<p>Thus he lay parallel with the uprooted tree, his feet at a point where
+the bark almost touched his heels, the space growing less and less
+toward his shoulders, until the back of his head rested against the
+shaggy bark and his nose touched the leaves.</p>
+
+<p>He had scarcely done this when he heard a <a name="Page_183" id="Page_183"></a>thud at his elbow: it was
+made by the knife-like hoofs of the buck, who, rearing on his hind
+legs, gathered his two front ones close together and brought them down
+with such force that, had they fallen on the body of the lad, as was
+intended, they would have cut into him like the edge of a powerfully
+driven ax.</p>
+
+<p>As it was, the shielding tree trunk prevented it, and, grazing the bark,
+they were driven into the yielding earth half a foot deep.</p>
+
+<p>The buck immediately reared and repeated the terrible blow several
+times, missing the body of the lad by what may be called a hair's
+breadth.</p>
+
+<p>The animal was in a fury, and, believing his foe was at his mercy, he
+showed him none.</p>
+
+<p>Nick heard the first thump of the sharp hoofs as they cut their way into
+the earth, and then his head seemed to spin, as though he had been
+whirled around with inconceivable velocity; innumerable stars danced
+before his eyes, he felt as if shooting through space, and then
+consciousness left him.</p>
+
+<p>The buck could know nothing of this, and, had he known it, his actions
+would not have been affected. He continued his rearing and <a name="Page_184" id="Page_184"></a>plunging
+until he saw he was inflicting no injury. Then he stopped, backed off
+several paces, and, lowering his head, tried to dislodge the lad from
+his place of refuge.</p>
+
+<p>But the breadth of his antlers prevented success, which would have
+placed Nick just where he could finish him. The oak barred his progress,
+stopping the head and horns when they were almost against the body.</p>
+
+<p>Then the buck reared and struck again, trying all manner of maneuvers
+which his instinct suggested, but providentially none of them succeeded.</p>
+
+<p>All this time Nick Ribsam, who had been so badly bruised, was oblivious
+of the efforts against his life. Had he possessed his faculties, he
+could not have done anything more for his protection than he did, by
+lying motionless, extended along and below the trunk of the oak.</p>
+
+<p>But the lusty, rugged nature of the lad soon asserted itself, and he
+began rallying from the shock. A reaction gradually set in, and slowly
+his senses returned.</p>
+
+<p>It was a considerable time, however, before <a name="Page_185" id="Page_185"></a>he realized where he was
+and what had befallen him. His head was still ringing, as though the
+clangor of a hundred anvils were sounding in his ears, and, when he drew
+a deep breath, a pain, as if made by a knife, was in his side.</p>
+
+<p>He listened, but heard nothing of his enemy. Then, with a great labor
+and more suffering, he pushed himself a few inches backward, so as to
+give some freedom to his body and to enable him to move his head.</p>
+
+<p>Turning his face, he peered out on his right: the buck was not visible
+in that direction.</p>
+
+<p>Then he did the same toward the left: his enemy was invisible on that
+side also.</p>
+
+<p>"He is gone," said the lad to himself, still afraid to venture from the
+shielding trunk that had been the means of saving him from the fury of
+the enraged deer.</p>
+
+<p>Nick believed he was close at hand, waiting for him to make a move that
+would give another chance to assault him.</p>
+
+<p>After several more minutes, the lad hitched farther backward, so that he
+was able to raise his head a few inches. This extended his field <a name="Page_186" id="Page_186"></a>of
+observation, and, with a feeling of inexpressible relief, he still
+failed to catch sight of the game.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess he got discouraged and left," said Nick, startled at the
+evidences of the buck's wrath so near him.</p>
+
+<p>Finally the lad backed clear out from under the tree, and climbed to his
+feet; it was climbing in every sense, for he nearly cried with pain
+several times, and, still fearful that he had been seriously injured, he
+examined himself as best he could.</p>
+
+<p>A few minutes convinced him that none of his bones was broken, although
+he afterward declared that he suspected his head had been fractured.</p>
+
+<p>He now looked about for his gun and found it within a short distance,
+much scratched by the hard treatment it had received, but without any
+real injury.</p>
+
+<p>Throwing the weapon over his shoulder, he started in the direction of
+the appointed rendezvous, and, as he did so, observed that it was
+already grown dark in the woods. Night had come, and he had quite a long
+distance to walk.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h3>
+
+<h4>THE CAMP FIRE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>But Nick Ribsam was full of grit, and, though every step he took caused
+him pain, he persevered with that grim resolution that was a part of his
+nature from his very birth.</p>
+
+<p>After walking some distance he found the soreness and stiffness leaving
+him, and he straightened up with something of his natural vim and
+elasticity of spirits.</p>
+
+<p>"There's one thing certain," he added, recalling his encounter with the
+buck, "I didn't have any one to help me out of that scrape, except the
+One who always helps him that helps himself; but I never wanted a friend
+more than then, and, if it hadn't been for that oak, it would have been
+the last of Nicholas Ribsam."</p>
+
+<p>"There is another thing I have learned," he added, with that glimmer of
+humor which was <a name="Page_188" id="Page_188"></a>sure to show itself, "I know considerable more than I
+did yesterday; I have a good idea of how it feels when a wounded buck
+<i>raises</i> you, and, after this, I won't shoot one of the creatures unless
+I'm sure of making a better shot than I did a while ago&mdash;hallo!"</p>
+
+<p>Well might he utter the last exclamation, for at that moment he came
+upon the dead body of the buck, lying as he had fallen on the earth,
+when at last he succumbed to the wound received at the hands of Nick
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>The boy stopped to examine it, for he was much impressed by the
+discovery.</p>
+
+<p>"That came very near ending in the death of us both: nothing but the oak
+saved me. I wonder whether I am going right."</p>
+
+<p>He raised his head from his examination, and looked about him, but he
+was without the means of judging whether he was following the proper
+direction or not. When leaving the scene of his encounter with the deer,
+he had taken the course that seemed to be right, without pausing until
+he could make himself certain in the matter.</p>
+
+<p>This is pretty sure, in a majority of cases, to <a name="Page_189" id="Page_189"></a>lead one astray, but it
+so happened with Nick that he headed in a bee-line for the camp, where
+the impatient Sam Harper was awaiting him.</p>
+
+<p>But the error came afterward: he toiled forward without any guide, and
+soon began to turn to the left, so that he was in reality moving on the
+circumference of a large circle, without suspecting how much he wandered
+from the true course.</p>
+
+<p>This peculiar mistake is made by many who are lost in the wilderness,
+and is supposed to be due to the fact that everybody is either right or
+left handed, instead of being ambidextrous as we all ought to be.</p>
+
+<p>One side of the body being stronger than the other, we unconsciously
+exert the limb on that side the most, and swerve from a straight line,
+unless we have something to direct in the shape of a landmark or
+guiding-post.</p>
+
+<p>It was not until Nick had gone a long ways out of the right course that
+he suspected his error: the appearance of the camp fire which Sam Harper
+had kindled, was what led him to stop and make the best investigation he
+could.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190"></a>There was little else he could appeal to, and he was in doubt as to
+whether that had not been kindled by some other party; but fortunately,
+while he was debating the matter, he caught the faint but distinct
+signal of his friend, who was on the point of starting out to look for
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Nick replied, and in the course of half an hour had joined Sam and
+Herbert by the fire.</p>
+
+<p>They were relieved beyond expression to see the figure of the sturdy
+little fellow, as he emerged from the gloom, and took his seat around
+the camp fire.</p>
+
+<p>They noticed that he limped, and knew something unusual must have taken
+place to delay him. He had the most attentive of listeners when he
+related his dangerous encounter with the buck, which came so nigh ending
+his life.</p>
+
+<p>But, happily, he had come out without any serious injury, and the lads
+attacked their supper with the keenest of appetites.</p>
+
+<p>"The reason the buck did not kill you," said Herbert, "was because he
+was disabled by the wound I gave him."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191"></a>"He was struck by one bullet only, and that one was mine," said Nick,
+who saw no sense in deferring to the absurd claims of the youth.</p>
+
+<p>"Possibly not, but we shall have to examine his carcass to make sure of
+that."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe we shall have much time to look after dead deer," said
+Sam, "for I believe we are in the neighborhood of the very bear we're
+looking for."</p>
+
+<p>His friends turned toward him for an explanation of this remark, which
+was uttered with all seriousness.</p>
+
+<p>"Bowser has been acting very queer for the last half-hour."</p>
+
+<p>"I think he has acted queer all day," observed Nick.</p>
+
+<p>"I did not consider him of much account until he saved me from the
+rattlesnake this afternoon; after that, I'm ready to believe he's got a
+good deal more sense than you are willing to think."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sam told his story, and added that the hound had left the vicinity
+of the fire several times, and, going some distance in the woods, <a name="Page_192" id="Page_192"></a>had
+come back, giving utterance to a peculiar whine. At the same time he
+looked up in the face of his master with much the same expression as he
+did when seeking to warn him of his danger from the poisonous serpent.</p>
+
+<p>"There he goes now!" suddenly exclaimed Sam; "just watch him!"</p>
+
+<p>Bowser had been stretched out near enough to the fire to receive much of
+its warmth, and appeared to be asleep. All at once he threw up his head
+and sniffed the air, as though he scented something; then he rose, with
+a low whine, and trotted straight out in the gloom.</p>
+
+<p>The lads listened attentively for some sound from him, but all remained
+still. At the end of ten minutes he came trotting to view again, and
+walked straight up to his master, looked up in his face, wagging his
+tail, and whined again.</p>
+
+<p>"You can depend on it," said Sam, "he has made some discovery, though I
+have no idea what it is."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's follow him and find out."</p>
+
+<p>It was Nick Ribsam who made the pro<a name="Page_193" id="Page_193"></a>posal; the others were inclined to
+hold back, but the plucky little fellow insisted, and it was agreed that
+Bowser's secret should be learned by keeping him company to the spot
+which he visited.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h3>
+
+<h4>AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK.</h4>
+
+
+<p>The three boys had scarcely agreed to the proposition to follow the
+hound, when Bowser, as if he understood their intention, rose from the
+ground where he had been lying, close to the camp fire, looked sharply
+out in the gloom of the surrounding woods, and then moved along the same
+course he had taken several times before.</p>
+
+<p>He did not trot, but walked with a deliberate gait, as if he felt the
+importance of being the leader of such a party.</p>
+
+<p>"It must be a wild animal," said Sam, in an undertone, "or Bowser
+wouldn't act that way."</p>
+
+<p>"It's the bear, of course; see that your guns are ready, and when you
+fire be sure you don't miss," warned Herbert.</p>
+
+<p>An idea suddenly occurred to Nick Ribsam.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195"></a>"All wild animals are afraid of fire: let's each take a torch to keep
+him off."</p>
+
+<p>The others eagerly caught up a blazing brand and strode forward with
+more confidence than ever.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert Watrous, who was sensible that he had not made such an
+exhibition before the others as he desired, placed himself at the head
+of the little company.</p>
+
+<p>He hardly would have done this, had he not been certain that the flaming
+brands would act as a shield to keep away the wild animal, whatever its
+nature.</p>
+
+<p>Each lad found it a little awkward to carry his loaded and cocked rifle
+in one hand and the flaming stick of wood in the other. It cannot be
+said there was any special difficulty in the task itself, but if a
+crisis came the boy would have to surrender one of his weapons.</p>
+
+<p>The young hunters formed a picturesque group as they moved forward in
+Indian file, each holding a burning torch above his head and swinging it
+so as to keep the blaze going, while his gun was trailed in the other
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>The hound Bowser was at the head, Herbert<a name="Page_196" id="Page_196"></a> Watrous next, Sam Harper
+followed, and Nick Ribsam, who still limped slightly, brought up the
+rear.</p>
+
+<p>The hound showed an intelligence which would have been surprising but
+for his action respecting the rattlesnake. He kept on a slow walk, so as
+not to leave his friends, and now and then looked at them, as if to make
+sure they were not trying to shrink from an important duty.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep your torches going," called out Herbert, in a husky whisper, as he
+swung his own so vigorously that a large piece dropped off, and, falling
+on his foot, caused him to leap up with an exclamation of affright.</p>
+
+<p>The fact was, they had gone no more than a hundred feet from the camp
+fire when Herbert began to feel that he had not shown enough care in
+picking out his torch, for the blaze was feeble, and, in spite of
+continued nursing, showed a tendency to collapse altogether.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep close to me, boys," he said, waiting for Sam to come still nearer,
+"for I don't like the way this torch is behaving; I believe it is <a name="Page_197" id="Page_197"></a>going
+out altogether, and I think I'll get a better&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Look out! there he is now!</i>" exclaimed Sam, in no little excitement.</p>
+
+<p>As he uttered the warning words, Bowser turned squarely about and ran
+back to where his master had halted with the smoking torch, and crouched
+at his feet, whining and appealing for protection against some enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Just then a savage sniff was heard, followed instantly by the sound of
+hoofs, as the unknown animal charged upon Herbert Watrous, who was
+whirling his half-expired torch around his head with such swiftness that
+it made a ring of fire, similar to those which all boys delight to look
+upon during the pyrotechnic displays on the Fourth of July.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert was so impressed with the importance of this action, that he
+threw all his energy in it, stooping down and rising on his tip-toes
+with the motion of the torch, and grunting hard and with much
+regularity, as he always did when exerting himself with unusual vigor.</p>
+
+<p>He caught the warning cry of Sam and the rattle of the hoofs at the same
+instant.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198"></a>"<i>Shoot him! Shoot him!</i>" he shouted to his friends, who could not gain
+the view of the beast necessary to make the shot safe for Herbert
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>The savage creature, from some reason, probably because the torch was
+less formidable, made for the city youth, who was not aware of his
+danger until too late.</p>
+
+<p>The brute went directly between his outspread feet, and, lifting him on
+his back, carried him several paces, when Herbert, his gun, torch, and
+himself, mixed up in great confusion, rolled off backward, turning a
+partial somersault and landing solidly on his head, his gun going off in
+the confusion and adding to it.</p>
+
+<p>Sam Harper threw down his torch, so as to use his rifle, but he saw
+Herbert's dilemma and waited the chance to shoot without danger of
+harming him; but the partial extinguishment of his own torch, and the
+total blotting out of Herbert's, rendered the risk still greater.</p>
+
+<p>While he stood, with gun partly raised and hand on the trigger, Herbert
+rolled off, but<a name="Page_199" id="Page_199"></a> Sam had not time to catch the fact when the beast shot
+between his legs, and he felt himself lifted off his feet and fairly
+whizzing through the air.</p>
+
+<p>Nick Ribsam's torch was burning brightly and illuminated the whole
+scene. He was in a stooping position, holding his flaming brand so he
+could see everything, and he was laughing so hard that he could hardly
+keep from falling to the ground from weakness.</p>
+
+<p>He had recognized the animal, which they had held in such terror, as a
+large hog that had doubtless wandered in the woods so long with his
+mates, eating the acorns and nuts fallen from the trees, that he was
+half wild and ready to attack any one who came near him.</p>
+
+<p>The hog was a lank, bony fellow, with great strength and swiftness of
+gait, and, like his fiercer brother the wild boar of Europe, he
+possessed undoubted courage.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if that ain't the funniest sight I ever saw!" roared Nick,
+bending himself almost double with laughter; "we thought it was a bear,
+and I guess Herbert and Sam are sure it is a royal Bengal tiger or mad
+elephant&mdash;"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h3>
+
+<h4>WAS IT A JOKE?</h4>
+
+
+<p>At that instant, Nick Ribsam felt himself suddenly lifted in air and
+spinning forward with great speed on the back of the vigorous hog, which
+plunged between his rather short legs.</p>
+
+<p>The astounded lad instantly stopped laughing, and, dropping his gun and
+torch, grasped at something to sustain himself against the peril, the
+nature of which he could hardly guess.</p>
+
+<p>The hog had struck him from the front, so that Nick was seated in
+reverse position on his back. The object which he grasped was the spiral
+tail of the animal, but, before he could make his grip certain, the
+porker swerved so suddenly to one side that Nick rolled off and bumped
+against a tree.</p>
+
+<p>His body was not hurt to one half the extent that his feelings were, for
+he heard Sam<a name="Page_201" id="Page_201"></a> Harper roaring with mirth, loud enough to be heard half a
+mile; and as Nick hastily clambered upon his feet, he was certain
+Herbert's cracked laugh was also rending the night air.</p>
+
+<p>The porker, having made the round and paid his tribute to each member of
+the company in turn, whisked off into the woods, with a triumphant
+grunt, as if to say, "I guess you folks and your dog will let me alone
+now."</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the boys found their guns, and restored two of the torches to
+a blaze, they looked at each other and gave way to their unrestrained
+mirth for several minutes before they could speak so as to be
+understood.</p>
+
+<p>Never had a pompous expedition ended more ignobly: they had started out
+to attack a fierce black bear, and unexpectedly were overturned by a
+large-sized pig, which resented the interference with his slumber.</p>
+
+<p>Some naturalists maintain that many animals possess a sense of the
+humorous, and it looked as though the sluggish Bowser enjoyed the joke
+as much as did the victims; for, when the latter made their way back to
+the camp <a name="Page_202" id="Page_202"></a>fire, they saw the hound stretched out close to the warm blaze
+with his head between his paws and apparently asleep; but, watching him
+closely, he was seen to open one of his eyes, just a little ways, and,
+surveying them a minute, he closed it to open again a minute later.</p>
+
+<p>No animal could have said more plainly:</p>
+
+<p>"I've got the joke on you this time, boys, and I'm laughing so hard that
+I can't keep my eyes open."</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you there is a good deal more in the heads of brutes than many
+of us think," said Nick Ribsam, after he had studied the actions of the
+hound; "I believe he wanted to make us believe there was some sort of
+game out there so as to play the fool with us."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think he foresaw the trick of the hog?" asked Herbert, who was
+rubbing his bruised elbows and knees.</p>
+
+<p>"That would have been impossible, for we could not have foreseen it
+ourselves if we had arranged the joke; he simply meant to mislead us,
+and then we acted the fool for <i>his</i> amusement."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203"></a>It looked very much as if Nick Ribsam was correct in his supposition,
+and that Bowser enjoyed even more than they the shrewd trick he had
+played on them.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose there are several hundred hogs wandering through the woods,"
+said Nick, "picking up acorns and nuts that have fallen off the trees,
+and making a good living at it."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, lots of them have been running wild for weeks and months," added
+Sam, "and when their owners try to gather them in, there will be
+trouble, for it doesn't take hogs long to become savage."</p>
+
+<p>"It didn't take that hog very long, I'm sure," observed Herbert, sitting
+down with care upon the ground.</p>
+
+<p>"But how was it there was but <i>one</i>?" asked Sam.</p>
+
+<p>"There wasn't need of any more than one," said Nick; "he had no trouble
+in doing as he pleased with us."</p>
+
+<p>"But hogs go in droves, and you wouldn't be apt to find one of them by
+himself in the woods."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204"></a>"There were others close by, for I am sure I heard them; but it is a
+little curious that they didn't attack us, for hogs don't know as much
+as dogs, and they had no reason to feel that one of their number was
+more than enough for us."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see the use in talking about it," remarked Herbert, who gently
+tipped his body to the other side, so as to rest differently on the
+ground; "I am sure I never was so upset in all my life."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor were we," added Nick; "hogs are queer creatures; if a drove finds
+it is going to be attacked by an enemy, the boars will place themselves
+on the outside, with the sows and younger ones within, so as to offer
+the best resistance to the bear or whatever it is, and they will fight
+with great fury. In a wild state, they can run fast, and when the tusks
+of the boars get to be six or eight inches long, as they do in time,
+they are afraid of no animal in the woods."</p>
+
+<p>"How is that?" asked Herbert, again shifting his position with great
+care, but feeling interested in what the lad was telling.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205"></a>"I suppose because they haven't any reason to be afraid. With those
+frightful tusks curving upward from the lower jaw, and with a strength
+like Sampson in their necks, they can rip up a bear, a tiger, or any
+animal that dare attack them."</p>
+
+<p>"I s'pose they're very strong, Nick?" continued Herbert.</p>
+
+<p>"So strong, indeed, that one of the wild boars in Germany has run under
+the horse of a hunter, and, lifting both clear from the ground, trotted
+fifty yards with them, before the struggling animal could get himself
+loose."</p>
+
+<p>Herbert looked fixedly at the narrator for a moment, then solemnly
+reached out his hand to Sam, for him to shake over the last astounding
+statement, which was altogether too much for him to credit.</p>
+
+<p>Sam Harper grasped the hand and wabbled it once or twice, but said:</p>
+
+<p>"It's as true as gospel, Herbert; I don't know anything about it myself,
+but when Nick Ribsam tells you anything for truth, you can make up your
+mind it is the truth and nothing else."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206"></a>The friends lay for a long time by the camp fire, talking over the
+events of the day, while Nick Ribsam gave them many wonderful facts
+concerning the various wild animals found in different parts of the
+world. The lad read everything he could obtain relating to natural
+history, and his strong memory retained nearly all the facts.</p>
+
+<p>But, as the night wore on, all three began to feel drowsy, and they made
+ready to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>The arrangements for doing this were not so perfect as they could wish.
+Not one of them had anything like a blanket, and, though it was the time
+of the balmy Indian summer, the nights were quite cold.</p>
+
+<p>There was an abundance of wood around them, and they gathered all they
+could possibly need. Then they heaped up a big lot of leaves and lay
+down as close to each other as possible.</p>
+
+<p>This was the best that could be done; but it gave a great advantage to
+the one who lay in the middle, as the warmth of the others kept him
+comfortable, while they were forced to turn one side to the cold air.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207"></a>By changing about, however, they got along quite well until past
+midnight, when the pile of leaves caught fire and caused them to leap to
+their feet with so much vigor that the outside ones got sufficiently
+warm to last till daylight.</p>
+
+<p>The friends were glad enough when it began growing red in the east. They
+rose early, washed their hands and faces in the clear brook, which
+flowed near at hand, using their handkerchiefs for towels. Then a rabbit
+and couple of squirrels were shot, and, with the same wolf-like
+appetites, they made a nourishing and substantial meal.</p>
+
+<p>The brook, from which they took a draught of clear, strengthening water,
+lay a short distance to the south of their camp, that is, between it and
+Shark Pond, which they passed the day before.</p>
+
+<p>The three were standing by this stream, considering the best thing to be
+done to get on the track of the bear, when Sam Harper suddenly stopped
+talking and looked fixedly at a point a few yards away. Then he walked
+<a name="Page_208" id="Page_208"></a>slowly to it, without removing his gaze, stooped down, and attentively
+scrutinized the ground.</p>
+
+<p>Without speaking, he turned and beckoned to the others to approach.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h3>
+
+<h4>THE TRAIL OF THE BEAR.</h4>
+
+
+<p>The boys did as directed, and, also stooping down, saw in the soft earth
+near the water the prints of the feet of a large animal, such tracks
+indeed as could have been made only by the bear.</p>
+
+<p>All agreed that it was that much desired and yet dreaded animal, and
+that it was more than likely he had moved to the southward, so that in
+point of fact the hunters and hunted had exchanged relative positions.</p>
+
+<p>Sam sternly directed the attention of Bowser to the trail, and ordered
+him to "look into the matter."</p>
+
+<p>The hound sniffed the ground, ran back and forth several times, and then
+gazed up at his master, as if awaiting further orders.</p>
+
+<p>"I won't stand any such nonsense as that," said his impatient master,
+grasping him by the <a name="Page_210" id="Page_210"></a>baggy skin at the back of the neck and giving him
+several sharp blows with a switch.</p>
+
+<p>Bowser yelped and kicked lustily, and, when released, placed his nose to
+the ground, emitted several more cries, and then trotted off, taking a
+direction leading almost directly back over the path Herbert had
+followed the day before.</p>
+
+<p>"He's on the trail <i>this</i> time," said Sam, with restored admiration for
+the hound, "and if he does well, I'll consider him a great deal better
+hunting dog than he has shown himself yet."</p>
+
+<p>In fact, Bowser acted as if anxious to redeem his tainted reputation,
+and, trotting quite briskly, was soon out of sight among the trees, the
+lads hurrying after him.</p>
+
+<p>A few minutes later, the yelping of the hound ceased, but the young
+hunters kept up their pursuit, the fresh trail made by the dog being
+easily followed, as he turned over and rumpled the abundant leaves on
+the ground, so that it was plainly discernible.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder why he has stopped barking," said Sam.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211"></a>"I guess he has got tired," was the rather original reply of Herbert,
+who was ready to give information, whether reliable or not.</p>
+
+<p>"Bowser seems to have a way of doing things which is different from
+other dogs&mdash;hallo! there he goes again."</p>
+
+<p>The resounding cries of the hound echoed through the woods, seemingly at
+a distance of a half mile, and a little to the east of south.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess he has treed him!" said Herbert, striking into a trot, the
+others doing the same, and very much doubting whether the odd dog had
+ever treed anything in his life.</p>
+
+<p>A short run only was necessary, when, by stopping and listening, they
+learned that the hound was standing instead of running. If he had been a
+regular hunting dog, this fact would have proven that he had brought the
+game to bay.</p>
+
+<p>As respecting Bowser, it was uncertain what it signified.</p>
+
+<p>It did not take the lads long to hurry over the intervening space, when
+they came upon the hound, who was standing under a large <a name="Page_212" id="Page_212"></a>red oak,
+looking up and barking with all the vigor he possessed.</p>
+
+<p>"He has treed the bear, I do believe!" exclaimed Sam Harper, breaking
+ahead of the others in his excitement.</p>
+
+<p>Nick Ribsam also thought the indications pointed that way.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h3>
+
+<h4>"HELP! HELP!"</h4>
+
+
+<p>The belief that they were close upon the bear threw the boys into a
+flutter of excitement, and they walked slowly as they approached the
+tree, up which the hound was barking.</p>
+
+<p>As has been stated, it was what was known as the red oak, very large,
+with branching limbs at no great distance from the ground.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>I see him!&mdash;I see him!</i>" whispered Herbert, just as he caught his foot
+in a root and pitched forward.</p>
+
+<p>"Where?"</p>
+
+<p>Herbert picked up his hat, muttered something impatient, and then looked
+upward again, and found he was mistaken.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought that big knot up there was the bear," replied the city youth,
+in meeker tones.</p>
+
+<p>The boys slowly circled about the tree again and again, back and forth,
+scrutinizing trunk, <a name="Page_214" id="Page_214"></a>limbs, and twigs so closely that a cat could not
+have concealed itself from view.</p>
+
+<p>The result was disheartening: there was no bear in sight.</p>
+
+<p>"May be the trunk is hollow," suggested Sam, "and he has gone into a
+hole."</p>
+
+<p>They struck against the bark, but the sound showed that the wood beneath
+was solid. Besides, an examination of the bark itself failed to bring to
+view the scratching and abrasion that would have been made by a bear in
+going up, and especially in coming down, the trunk.</p>
+
+<p>Bowser, beyond all question, had been "barking up the wrong tree."</p>
+
+<p>"You're a pretty hunting dog, ain't you?" sneered Sam Harper, addressing
+the canine; "come here, that I may give you another switching."</p>
+
+<p>But Bowser wheeled about, and, taking the trail again, trotted to the
+southward, his nose close to the ground, while he bayed at intervals of
+a few seconds.</p>
+
+<p>"The bear ain't far off, you can make up your mind to that," said
+Herbert, still all ex<a name="Page_215" id="Page_215"></a>citement; "if we keep close to the dog, we'll run
+upon the other pretty soon."</p>
+
+<p>In fact, the youthful Watrous showed such an interest in the sport that
+he forgot the danger which always accompanies it. Had he stopped a
+minute or so to reflect, he would have seen that now was the time for
+the three to stick together, for never was there likely to be an
+occasion which would demonstrate more certainly that in union there is
+strength.</p>
+
+<p>Forgetful of this, Herbert sped forward so fast that in a brief while he
+vanished from view.</p>
+
+<p>Nick shouted to him not to hasten so fast, but the young gentleman was
+not to be checked in that style, and he kept up his flight with
+undiminished speed.</p>
+
+<p>"Let him go, then," said Nick, dropping down to a rapid walk, in which
+Sam joined him; "his legs are so long that he can outrun us both."</p>
+
+<p>"Which is a good thing."</p>
+
+<p>"Why so?"</p>
+
+<p>"As soon as he catches sight of the bear, he will turn about and run
+with might and main."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216"></a>"I'm not so sure of that," remarked Nick, who began to think there was
+more in Herbert than they had suspected.</p>
+
+<p>"He is so anxious to get the animal that he doesn't know the risk he is
+running. The fight you had with the buck yesterday shows what a more
+harmless animal will do when he turns to fight the hunter."</p>
+
+<p>"But Herbert will be likely to wait till we come up to him if he sees
+the bear."</p>
+
+<p>"There's no telling what such a fellow will do when he loses his head;
+the only chance for him is that we may be so close that we can turn in
+and help him."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we had better hurry."</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon the two broke into a run again, which they kept up till pretty
+well tired out.</p>
+
+<p>They could hear Bowser baying at no great distance, and, consequently,
+were sure that Herbert himself was not far off.</p>
+
+<p>"If we three come upon him we ought to be able to kill him without much
+risk to ourselves&mdash;that is, if we use any sort of care in taking aim."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217"></a>"We must try and do that&mdash;hark!"</p>
+
+<p>At that instant they were startled by the sharp report of a rifle, the
+distance and direction leaving no doubt that it was fired by Herbert
+Watrous.</p>
+
+<p>Sam and Nick fairly turned pale, and something like a feeling of envy
+came over them at the belief that Herbert, after all his boasting, had
+succeeded in bringing down the royal game without their help.</p>
+
+<p>The shot was fired so close that, as they hastened forward again, they
+expected to come upon the hunter and his game every minute.</p>
+
+<p>"Hallo! what does that mean?"</p>
+
+<p>The question was caused by the sudden appearance of Bowser, who was
+limping toward them in a panic of terror. At every leap he uttered a
+yelp, which was of pain and fear.</p>
+
+<p>The boys stopped, and the hound, running up, crouched down at their
+feet, whining and moaning.</p>
+
+<p>"He is hurt!" said Sam, who noticed that he was bleeding from a wound in
+the shoulder, <a name="Page_218" id="Page_218"></a>where the claws of some animal had struck him with great
+force.</p>
+
+<p>"It was done by the bear," said Nick, "and he hit Bowser a hard blow; I
+shouldn't wonder if it kills him."</p>
+
+<p>Sam stooped over the dog and tried to soothe him by patting and speaking
+kind words.</p>
+
+<p>"He is badly hurt, but I hope he isn't going to die. Poor fellow! we
+have been unjust to him; he's a good deal braver dog than we gave him
+credit for."</p>
+
+<p>They were still patting and soothing the wounded hound, when the report
+of Herbert's rifle was heard again. Sam and Nick started up and stared
+in the direction whence the sound came.</p>
+
+<p>"He has got the bear&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Just then the voice of Herbert was heard ringing through the forest
+arches:</p>
+
+<p>"Quick! quick! help! help! the bear has got me! Hurry up, boys, or I'm a
+goner!"</p>
+
+<p>The lads dashed forward, excited and fearful they would be too late.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219"></a>The voice of the imperiled hunter rang out again.</p>
+
+<p>"Quick! quick! the bear has got me sure! Hurry boys, hurry, for pity's
+sake!"</p>
+
+<p>The next instant Sam and Nick came upon an extraordinary scene.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h3>
+
+<h4>A FRIEND IN NEED.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Herbert Watrous had been set upon by a huge bear, and, throwing aside
+his Creedmoor, had run with might and main for a large stump, behind
+which he took refuge. Had he climbed a sapling, he would have been safe,
+but he was too flustered to think of that.</p>
+
+<p>Dodging behind this shelter he squatted down, hoping that his enemy did
+not notice where he had gone; but, when he heard the brute lumbering
+after him, he hastily shifted his quarters to the other side of the
+stump. While doing so, he emitted the ringing cries for help which
+brought his friends in such haste to his rescue.</p>
+
+<p>The situation would have been laughable but for its element of peril.
+Darting to the side of the stump opposite to that of the bear, Herbert
+would drop his head, and then in<a name="Page_221" id="Page_221"></a>stantly pop up again, like a
+jack-in-the-box, to see what the brute was doing. The latter, it may be
+said, kept things moving.</p>
+
+<p>When Herbert lowered his head and yelled, his voice had a muffled sound,
+as though it came from a distance, but when he shot up in sight, his
+cries were clear and distinct.</p>
+
+<p>The beast, although heavy and awkward of movement, managed to move
+around the stump and to reverse his course with such facility that there
+can be little doubt that he would have caught the lad, had not his
+friends been so prompt to rush to his help.</p>
+
+<p>Sam and Nick felt no disposition to laugh; indeed, they were so
+impressed by the danger that, without exercising the care they would
+have done any other time, and which they meant to show when talking of
+the matter a few minutes before, they raised their guns together and
+fired.</p>
+
+<p>Although the aim was not as deliberate as it should have been, yet both
+bullets struck the bear, though neither inflicted a mortal wound.</p>
+
+<p>The brute stopped short in his circular pur<a name="Page_222" id="Page_222"></a>suit, looked confusedly
+about him for a second or two, and then made straight for the lads who
+had fired upon him, just as the buck did in the case of Nick Ribsam.</p>
+
+<p>"Scatter and climb a tree!" called out Nick, who saw they had no chance
+to reload.</p>
+
+<p>Now was the time for Herbert to recover, and reload his gun and to take
+another shot at the brute, so as to draw him off from his hot pursuit of
+the others; but the panic-stricken youth could not realize that the
+danger was removed, and that his terrible foe was bestowing his
+attention elsewhere. He continued calling for help in a louder voice
+than before, believing that every minute would be his last.</p>
+
+<p>Sam Harper whirled about to make for a sapling, but caught his foot in
+an obstruction and fell violently to the ground. Nick was so alarmed
+that he stopped to help him up.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm all right," said Sam, "look out for yourself!"</p>
+
+<p>But Nick could not desert him, until assured he was not mangled by the
+fall, and by that time the bear was too close for them to escape by
+climbing a tree.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223"></a>It looked as if it would go ill with one at least (for no gun in the
+party was loaded, and the brute was almost upon them), when most
+providentially, but unexpectedly, the report of another rifle broke upon
+their ear, and the bullet reached the heart of the monstrous beast, who
+reared himself on his haunches and used his paws as though trying to
+draw out the splinters which he imagined were thrust into his body.</p>
+
+<p>Then he swerved to one side, sagged heavily to the ground, and then it
+was plain that all was over.</p>
+
+<p>"Are any of you hurt?"</p>
+
+<p>It was the voice of the plucky Mrs. Fowler, who hurried forward with
+anxious face, the smoking rifle in her hands.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert was still peering from behind the stump and shouting himself
+hoarse, with no thought of what had taken place within the last few
+minutes. By and by, however, after he had been called to, he
+comprehended the facts and came forth, when a general explanation
+followed.</p>
+
+<p>Although Herbert would not admit it, there <a name="Page_224" id="Page_224"></a>was no doubt that of the two
+shots which he fired at the bear only one touched him, and that only to
+a sufficient extent to graze his body and to draw his attention to the
+young hunter.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert then dropped his gun and made for the stump, which was not a
+secure refuge.</p>
+
+<p>This took place so near the cabin-home of Mrs. Fowler that she heard the
+cries for help, and, taking down her rifle, hurried to the spot,
+arriving just in time to save the other lads from serious danger, if not
+from death.</p>
+
+<p>The boys overwhelmed the brave woman with thanks, and though she
+modestly disclaimed her right to the bear&mdash;expressing her belief that
+the two shots they had fired were fatal&mdash;they would not listen to it,
+but they turned to, skinned the animal, and presented the hide to her,
+regretting that they had not several others, that her husband might
+collect twenty dollars apiece from Mr. Bailey, his employer.</p>
+
+<p>"This isn't the only bear in the woods," said she, thanking them for
+their kindness;<a name="Page_225" id="Page_225"></a> "and some of you will see another before long. But this
+will do for to-day."</p>
+
+<p>They thought so, too; and, swinging their hats in the air, bade her
+good-by and started homeward.</p>
+
+<p>Sam Harper proposed that they should go out of their path to examine the
+carcass of the deer, so as to learn whether the shot of Herbert took
+effect; but that young gentleman was frank enough to admit, after his
+experience, that it was impossible he had come anywhere near hitting the
+buck. Accordingly, they continued homeward, Herbert going back to the
+city a few days afterward to find out, if he could, why his gun so often
+failed to hit the object he aimed at.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h3>
+
+<h4>THE "DARK DAY" OF SEPTEMBER, 1881.</h4>
+
+
+<p>The summer during which Nicholas Ribsam attained the age of twelve years
+was viewed with dismal forebodings by many people, for the reason that a
+celebrated weather prophet had foretold that it would be unusually
+rainy, cold, and wet.</p>
+
+<p>As a consequence, it proved to be the driest known in years. Days,
+weeks, and even months passed without a drop of rain falling from the
+brassy sky, and the fine powdery dust permeated everywhere. The weather
+prophet lost caste, but he persisted in announcing rain, knowing that he
+had only to stick to it long enough to hit it in the course of time.</p>
+
+<p>As the autumn approached and the drought continued over a vast extent of
+territory, the forest fires raged in different parts of the country. All
+day and night immense volumes of smoke and vapor hung over the land, and
+the appearance of the sun was so peculiar as to <a name="Page_227" id="Page_227"></a>cause alarm on the part
+of those who were superstitious.</p>
+
+<p>There came a "dark day," like that of the 19th of May, 1780, which
+overspread New England, and was most marked in Massachusetts. The
+Connecticut Legislature was in session, and the belief was so universal
+that the last awful day had come that the motion was made to adjourn.
+Then, as the graphic Quaker poet says:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i6">All eyes were turned to Abraham Davenport.<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">He rose, slow cleaving with his steady voice<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">The intolerable hush. "This well may be<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">The Day of Judgment which the world awaits;<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">But be it so or not, I only know<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">My present duty, and my Lord's command<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">To occupy till He come. So at the post<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">Where He has set me in His providence,<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">I choose, for one, to meet Him face to face&mdash;<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">No faithless servant frightened from my task,<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">But ready when the Lord of the harvest calls;<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">And, therefore, with all reverence, I would say,<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">Let God do His work, we will see to ours.<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">Bring in the candles." And they brought them in.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Tuesday, September 7, 1881, was a day very similar to the memorable one
+of a century ago. A strange, greenish-yellow pall overspread <a name="Page_228" id="Page_228"></a>the
+heavens, and so darkened the light of the sun that lamps and gas were
+lighted, schools and factories closed, and multitudes of the ignorant
+and superstitious believed that the Day of Judgment had come.</p>
+
+<p>Everything looked changed and unnatural. The faces of people on the
+streets were ghastly, the gas jets in the stores, instead of showing
+yellow, were as white and clear as the electric lights, and thousands of
+the sect known as Second Adventists gathered in their places of worship
+and confidently awaited the appearing of the Lord.</p>
+
+<p>The "dark day" was more wonderful in the country. The leaves and
+withering foliage assumed a most singular tint of green, changing, like
+that of the grass, to a brownish hue; fowls went to roost, and the
+animal creation must have been greatly mystified by a phenomenon such as
+they had never witnessed before.</p>
+
+<p>A curious feature of this luminous haze was that it cast no shadow. It
+was as light under the trees as away from them, the whole unnatural
+appearance of things most likely being <a name="Page_229" id="Page_229"></a>due to the immense forest fires
+which were raging in many parts of the country.</p>
+
+<p>It was during the summer, I repeat, in which Nick Ribsam reached the age
+of twelve years, that so many forest fires raged, and it was in the
+autumn of the same year that he saw the famous dark day, so similar to
+that of September, 1881; in fact, it could not have resembled it more
+closely, for I may as well state it was that very day to which I refer.</p>
+
+<p>"Nick," said his father, on that September morning, addressing his boy
+in Dutch, "I promised to pay James Bradley one hundred dollars to-day
+before three o'clock."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," responded the boy, who knew that the debt would be paid on
+time.</p>
+
+<p>"He was to come here to our house to get it, but he sent me word last
+night that he would be much obliged if I would send it to him at
+Martin's store in Dunbarton, as he is obliged to be there all day. I
+like to accommodate any one, and I will therefore send you to take it to
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I am ready to go whenever you want me to do so."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230"></a>Dunbarton, as has been stated, was a village nine miles away, and the
+principal grocery store in the place was kept by Jacob Martin. It was
+there that Nick was to take the one hundred dollars which was to be
+handed to James Bradley, to whom his father owed it.</p>
+
+<p>It was like a holiday for Nick to take such a drive, and he was glad
+when his father made known his wishes.</p>
+
+<p>"Harness up the mare to the fall-top and drive over; you ought to be
+back early in the afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>"I will, if nothing happens to prevent."</p>
+
+<p>Just then rosy-faced Nellie came out to feed the chickens. As the fowls
+flocked toward her, some perching on her shoulders, head, and wherever
+they could find a resting-place, she scattered the golden grains of corn
+with a deft and lavish hand.</p>
+
+<p>Her father looked at the cheeks as red as apples and the eyes glowing
+with health, and, dropping into English, said with a sigh and shake of
+the head:</p>
+
+<p>"I dinks dot Nellie looks some bale."</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231"></a>He meant to say pale, and Nick laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think she is very sick; she ate more breakfast than I did this
+morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Dot ish so, but I dinks dot I leafes her go mit you to Dunbarton, if
+she can shpare her moder."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ribsam meant all right, and when his wishes were made known to
+Nellie she was delighted; her mother was glad to give her the privilege
+of an excursion, for she was an industrious little girl, and,
+furthermore, there were some purchases to be made both for the mother
+and daughter, which Nellie could attend to better than could any boy, no
+matter how intelligent.</p>
+
+<p>The famous "dark day" of 1881 prevailed principally in New England and
+the State of New York; but it was noticed further south, especially in
+some of the wooded portions of Pennsylvania, though in the larger part
+of the commonwealth it attracted no great attention.</p>
+
+<p>It was between seven and eight o'clock when the four-wheeled carriage
+with the single seat, and which vehicle is known as a "fall top" in
+<a name="Page_232" id="Page_232"></a>some sections of the country, was driven from the humble home of the
+Ribsams, with the brother and sister seated in it.</p>
+
+<p>As they approached the scene of Nellie's adventure with the bear, they
+naturally talked about it, while Nick again related his own thrilling
+experience, when the animal was shot by Mrs. Fowler, just in the nick of
+time.</p>
+
+<p>Shark Creek had suffered so much from the long continued drought that it
+was no more than one fourth its usual volume; but the pond below was not
+much diminished in size, as it did not flow off except when at a certain
+height.</p>
+
+<p>The brother and sister did not speak of the peculiar appearance of the
+atmosphere until nearly to the bridge. There had been a great deal of
+smoke floating over the country for several days, but there was nothing
+to cause any fear on the part of those who lived near the large
+stretches of timber.</p>
+
+<p>As the darkness increased, however, Nick said:</p>
+
+<p>"It must be caused by the thick smoke; but I don't think it will last,
+and when <a name="Page_233" id="Page_233"></a>we reach Dunbarton that will be the end of it."</p>
+
+<p>"It won't make any difference," said Nellie, "unless it gets so dark we
+can't see the way."</p>
+
+<p>"No fear of that."</p>
+
+<p>But when at last they emerged from the woods, and shortly after entered
+the village, the impressive gloom was deeper than ever. The villagers
+were awed by the unnatural appearance of nature, and were standing in
+groups looking at the sky and talking in undertones.</p>
+
+<p>Many were frightened, and not a few hurried to their homes, terrified
+with the belief that the last awful day, when the heavens shall be
+burned up as a scroll and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, was
+at hand.</p>
+
+<p>Ah, had it been the final Judgment Day, how many of us would have had
+our houses in order for the coming of the angel of the Lord?</p>
+
+<p>Nick Ribsam sprang out of the carriage, helped Nellie to alight, and
+went into the store of Mr. Martin, where James Bradley was found
+awaiting him. The money was handed <a name="Page_234" id="Page_234"></a>over, a receipt taken, the horse
+fed, during which Nellie attended to the errand on which she was sent,
+and, an hour later, the mare was given water, and brother and sister
+started homeward, little dreaming of what awaited them.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h3>
+
+<h4>THE BURNING FOREST.</h4>
+
+
+<p>"It is growing darker all the time."</p>
+
+<p>"So it seems; I never saw anything like it."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe it is really night, Nick, and we have lost our reckoning. Isn't
+there any way by which the world might swing out of its&mdash;what do you
+call it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Orbit, I suppose, you mean; there may be such a way, but from what I
+have studied, when it does do that there will be more of a disturbance
+than simple darkness like this."</p>
+
+<p>These words were exchanged between brother and sister after they had
+penetrated the woods a considerable distance on their return home. It
+had become like night around them, except that, as has been shown, the
+gloom was of that peculiar lurid nature which can hardly be described,
+and can never be forgotten by those who saw it.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236"></a>Even Nick Ribsam was impressed. It could not have been otherwise, for
+any one would have been lacking in natural sensibility had he failed to
+be awed by the singular sight. It can scarcely be said that the lad was
+frightened, although there came over him a yearning feeling that he
+might hurry home so the family could all be together, if the awful
+calamity&mdash;whatever it might be&mdash;should descend.</p>
+
+<p>It was different with the sister Nellie; her nature was more
+impressible, and it was only by a strong effort that she kept her
+self-control so long. As she peeped furtively out from the carriage, she
+looked at the woods, penetrated by the strange haze, which perhaps took
+on a more striking appearance in an autumnal forest like that, than
+anywhere else.</p>
+
+<p>"Nick, I believe it's the Last Day that has come."</p>
+
+<p>The lad turned toward his sister, who was sitting far back in her seat,
+as though trying to shut out the scene which had such a fascination for
+her.</p>
+
+<p>The face of the girl wore such a ghastly <a name="Page_237" id="Page_237"></a>color, that Nick could not
+wonder at her fright, but he shook his head. He felt he was the man now,
+and it would not do for him to show any weakness.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't the Judgment Day, Nellie; for, according to the Bible, it will
+come in a different way than this. There are a good many things which
+are not understood by folks, and I suppose this must be one of them."</p>
+
+<p>"I can smell burning wood," broke in the sister, leaning forward and
+snuffing the smoky air.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I do, and that's what is making all this trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"But suppose, Nick, these woods are on fire? How far is it back to where
+we entered them?"</p>
+
+<p>"About three miles, and it is five to the open country ahead, where we
+leave them; but there is the creek, less than a mile ahead, so if we
+should find the woods burning, we can stop there till it is over."</p>
+
+<p>The sister, however, had suggested a danger to the brother which alarmed
+him. The mare had been walking slowly, for it seemed more <a name="Page_238" id="Page_238"></a>in harmony
+with the scene that she should do so. The driver now jerked the lines so
+sharply that she pricked up her ears and started off at a rapid gait,
+that is as the mare herself doubtless looked upon traveling.</p>
+
+<p>The first real thrill of alarm came to the lad, when he recalled that if
+a fire should appear, he and his sister were in the worst possible
+position: there were three miles of forest behind and five in front.</p>
+
+<p>The mare seemed to awaken to a sense of danger, for she threw up her
+head with unusual sprightliness, struck into a trot so rapid that Nick
+was a little frightened, lest in the gloom the carriage should come in
+contact with some obstruction which he could not detect in time.</p>
+
+<p>"See there!"</p>
+
+<p>As Nellie uttered the exclamation, she caught the arm of her brother and
+pointed ahead, but there was no need of her doing so, for he had seen
+the peril. The road immediately in front was filled with heavy smoke,
+which, as it rolled forward, caused them to cough almost to the
+strangulation <a name="Page_239" id="Page_239"></a>point. At the same time, a crimson streak of flame shot
+in and out of the murky vapor, like the flashing of lightning: the fire
+was burning immediately in front and it would not do to go further.</p>
+
+<p>Nick stopped the horse, and, half rising and bending forward, peered
+into the suffocating vapor. Then he turned and looked behind him, in
+which direction Nellie was also gazing.</p>
+
+<p>"How is it there?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"There is plenty of smoke, but I see no fire."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we must go back."</p>
+
+<p>The road was quite narrow, though there was room for two teams to pass
+each other, and Nick turned the frightened mare as quickly as he could;
+she was so nervous and fidgety that it was hard work to control her, but
+she was headed toward Dunbarton, after some difficulty, and as soon as
+the rein was given her, away she went at a spanking trot.</p>
+
+<p>But neither the brother nor sister was relieved of fear, for the smoke
+grew denser every minute, and Nick might well ask himself whether he
+would be able to pass the three <a name="Page_240" id="Page_240"></a>miles before he could reach the safety
+of the open country.</p>
+
+<p>The question was answered much sooner than he anticipated. The sharp
+crackling was heard, and they caught glimpses of the fiery tongues
+leaping in and out among the dried leaves and vegetation on either hand.
+Suddenly the flames seemed to meet in front in such a rushing, roaring
+volume that it was vain to think of pushing any further in the face of
+it.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Nick," moaned Nellie, shrinking close to him, "we are going to be
+burned alive!"</p>
+
+<p>"It does look bad, Nellie, but we mustn't give up yet; one thing is
+certain, it won't do to try to reach Dunbarton to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"But we can't go homeward."</p>
+
+<p>"It doesn't look so bad that way as it does toward Dunbarton: we must
+try one of the roads, and I would rather work toward home than away from
+it."</p>
+
+<p>Nick was busy while talking; he saw that the mare was becoming
+panic-stricken, and it required all his strength and firmness to keep
+her from breaking away from him.</p><p><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241"></a></p><p><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242"></a></p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243"></a></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/image004.jpg" alt="O Nick, moaned Nellie, we are going to be burned
+alive." title="O Nick, moaned Nellie, we are going to be burned
+alive." /></div>
+<p class='center'><b>"O Nick," moaned Nellie, "we are going to be burned
+alive."</b></p>
+
+
+<p>By using the whip, he managed to turn her again in the road, and then he
+struck her sharply with the lash.</p>
+
+<p>"Nellie, catch hold of my arm," he said to her, feeling that even if
+everything came out in the best form, a severe struggle was before them.</p>
+
+<p>The mare sniffed, and, glancing to her right and left, gave a whinny of
+terror as she dropped into her swiftest trot, which, a minute after, she
+changed to a gallop; but Nick brought her down instantly to her more
+natural gait.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie slipped her arm under the elbow of her brother, and then clasped
+her two hands, so as to hold fast for the shock which she believed would
+soon come.</p>
+
+<p>A large branch had fallen across the road, and Nick did not catch sight
+of it until too late to check the flying mare. The carriage seemed to
+bound fully a foot into the air, and an ominous wrench told the driver
+that it had suffered material damage.</p>
+
+<p>But there was no time to stop and examine; the terrified horse sprang
+into a gallop <a name="Page_244" id="Page_244"></a>again, and this time Nick did not restrain her.</p>
+
+<p>There was smoke all around them; the air was hot and suffocating; they
+could hear the crackling of flames, and now and then the crimson flash
+through the murky vapor showed that a frightful forest fire was raging
+on every hand.</p>
+
+<p>Still the mare kept forward at the same swift gallop, and Nick knew that
+more than once she felt the blistering heat on her haunches. It is a
+strange peculiarity of the horse, which often shows a wonderful degree
+of intelligence, that he generally loses his wits when caught in a
+conflagration. Instead of running away from the flames he often charges
+among them, and there remains, fighting those who are trying to save
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Very probably the mare would have acted similarly in the instance of
+which I am speaking had the circumstances permitted it; but there was
+fire all about her, and the temptation was as strong, therefore, in one
+direction as another.</p>
+
+<p>Nick kept his self-possession. He knew by <a name="Page_245" id="Page_245"></a>the desperate energy with
+which Nellie clung to his arm that she was helpless, and that every
+minute they were likely to plunge headlong into and among the roaring
+flames.</p>
+
+<p>He could not guide the mare, which was now controlled by her own
+instinctive desire to escape a danger which was on every hand. He merely
+sought to direct her, so far as possible, in the hope that he might save
+the carriage from being dashed to pieces.</p>
+
+<p>When he saw the flames meeting across the road he shouted to Nellie to
+hold her breath, and he did the same, until they had swept through the
+fiery, strangling ring, and were able to catch a mouthful of the smoky
+and scorching atmosphere beyond.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h3>
+
+<h4>THROUGH THE FIRE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>It was hard to remain cool when surrounded by such peril as were Nick
+and Nellie Ribsam but the sturdy lad acquitted himself like a hero.</p>
+
+<p>His belief was that all the woods were not on fire&mdash;that is, the entire
+tract was not burning at once, and that, as a consequence, if he could
+break through the flaming circle in which he was caught, he could place
+himself and sister in front of the danger, so to speak, and then they
+would be able to run away from it altogether.</p>
+
+<p>If such were the case, it followed that just then speed was the most
+important of all things, and for that reason he kept the mare on her
+sweeping gallop, at the imminent risk of dashing the carriage to pieces
+every minute.</p>
+
+<p>He was glad that he did not meet any vehicles, for it not only showed
+that no one <a name="Page_247" id="Page_247"></a>else in the neighborhood was placed in the same extremity
+as were he and his sister, but it lessened the danger of collision.</p>
+
+<p>Nick thought it was all over with them, when a fiery serpent, as it
+seemed, darted across from one side of the road to the other, directly
+in front. It was at the height of five or six feet, and coiling itself
+about a dry pine it shot horizontally toward another pine, wrapped with
+a flaming girdle, which sent out a line of fire to meet it, like the
+intense blaze seen when a blow-pipe is used.</p>
+
+<p>It was a curious manifestation, and it would be hard to explain it, for,
+though a strong wind was blowing, that would not account for the fact
+that the two tongues of fire, as they really were, met each other in
+this fashion across the road, for of a necessity they extended
+themselves in opposite directions.</p>
+
+<p>They did not burn steadily, but whisked back and forth, just as it may
+be imagined two serpents would have done who saw the fugitives coming,
+and, making ready, said by their actions, "Thus far, but no farther."</p>
+
+<p>To Nick Ribsam it looked like the flaming <a name="Page_248" id="Page_248"></a>sword of Hazael, sweeping
+across the highway; but it would never do to hesitate, and the mare
+galloped straight on. The fiery serpents darted angrily at each other,
+but the head of the horse glided beneath and the boy caught a hot blast
+as he shot by.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the bridge?" shouted Nellie, who could see nothing, and who
+clung more desperately than ever to the supporting arm of her brother.</p>
+
+<p>"It must be close at hand&mdash;there it is!"</p>
+
+<p>So it was, indeed, but the fire was ahead of them; the whole structure
+was one mass of flames, roaring and crackling with fury.</p>
+
+<p>The scene that followed was a dreadful one: the sight of the
+furnace-like structure set the mare wild, and she broke into a dead run
+toward the blazing mass of kindling wood, determined to plunge headlong
+into it.</p>
+
+<p>Nick Ribsam rose to his feet, and bent back with might and main, but he
+might as well have tried to check a runaway locomotive: the mare took
+the bit in her teeth and was beyond control.</p>
+
+<p>With a presence of mind which did him <a name="Page_249" id="Page_249"></a>credit, Nick wrenched her to one
+side, while she was at the height of this mad flight, so that the hub of
+the fore wheel struck a tree at the side of the road, checking the
+vehicle so abruptly that both traces snapped as if they were ribbons,
+and the mare continued her gallop in the direction of the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>The momentum of Nellie threw her violently against the dashboard, while
+Nick, before he could let go the reins, was jerked out the carriage,
+and, lighting on his feet, ran a dozen steps ere he could check himself
+and free his hands from the reins.</p>
+
+<p>He stopped almost on the edge of the creek, and caught one glimpse of
+the mare as she bounded out of sight into the smoke and flames, and was
+gone forever.</p>
+
+<p>The lad felt a pang of sorrow for the foolish beast, who stood as good a
+chance of saving herself as he, had she but used a tithe of common
+sense; but there was no time for mourning, and he ran back to the
+vehicle, where Nellie was crouching, and crying violently.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Nellie, I am ashamed of you!" said <a name="Page_250" id="Page_250"></a>her brother, reprovingly. "Is
+it going to mend matters to sit down and cry?"</p>
+
+<p>"But how can I help it, Nick?" she asked, rubbing her red eyes with her
+apron and trying to check herself; "I don't see how you can keep from
+crying yourself!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad I ain't such a ninny as you, and when I get home I am going to
+tell father and mother."</p>
+
+<p>"You needn't be so smart," said Nellie, beginning to fire up under the
+reproof of her brother; "you haven't got home yet."</p>
+
+<p>"And mighty little chance I would stand of ever getting there if I
+should sit down like you and begin to blubber. Come out of the carriage
+and go with me."</p>
+
+<p>Nellie's face was very red and there were tears on her cheeks, her
+countenance wearing a strange appearance in the lurid haze around them.</p>
+
+<p>The girl did not make any objection, for she could not do otherwise than
+lean on the strong arm of her brother, who never seemed to lose his head
+over anything. Every minute or so <a name="Page_251" id="Page_251"></a>a distressing feeling came over
+them&mdash;such a feeling as we can imagine would be ours were we suddenly to
+find ourselves shut in a room where the air was so impure we could not
+breathe it.</p>
+
+<p>There was a gasping, hurried inhalation of the strangling hot smoke&mdash;a
+coughing and filling of the eyes with tears, and then a frantic rush of
+several steps, during which the breath was held until a chance to get a
+mouthful of fresh air was gained.</p>
+
+<p>It was useless to turn back. The children were in the very heart of the
+wood, and the conflagration was raging so furiously on both sides, and
+in front and rear, that it was impossible to escape in either direction.</p>
+
+<p>But for the timely arrival at the edge of the creek they must have
+perished a few minutes later, and they could not feel certain as yet
+that even water would save them.</p>
+
+<p>The creek was so low, that when they hurriedly picked their way down the
+bank to it, Nick could have taken Nellie on his back and carried her
+across without wetting her feet; but there was nothing to be gained by
+<a name="Page_252" id="Page_252"></a>doing so, as the fire was burning as fiercely on one side as on the
+other.</p>
+
+<p>The conflagration must stop when it should reach the margin of the
+stream, and Nick drew a sigh of relief, feeling that they were safe.</p>
+
+<p>"We will wait here till the fire is done burning," said he, standing
+with the hand of his sister in his own, while he gazed about him on the
+extraordinary scene.</p>
+
+<p>The day had been quite warm, and Nick and Nellie, pausing on the bank of
+the shrunken creek, began to find themselves exceedingly uncomfortable;
+for not only was there a great increase of heat, but the smoke was too
+heavy to be breathed without great pain and irritation to the lungs.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks as if we are to be strangled to death, after all," Nick said,
+"for it is hard to breathe now, and it is growing worse every minute."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's go up by the pond: it isn't far away."</p>
+
+<p>"It must be as bad there as anywhere else, but we shall die if we stay
+here."</p>
+
+<p>There seemed little choice in the matter, but one of the impossibilities
+is for a boy or <a name="Page_253" id="Page_253"></a>girl to stand still when suffering, and the suggestion
+of Nellie was acted upon at once.</p>
+
+<p>She had released the arm of Nick, who started up the right bank, she
+following close behind him. The walking was easy, for the creek had
+receded from the greater portion of the bed it usually occupied, and
+that had become hardened by long exposure to the heat of the sun.</p>
+
+<p>It was not far to the pond of which I have spoken, and which occupied an
+extent of an acre, or perhaps more. The place was a favorite with the
+boys of the neighborhood, and some of the most delightful swims Nick
+Ribsam had ever enjoyed were in that sheet of water.</p>
+
+<p>The water was cold, clear, and deep in many places. What more tempting
+resort for a tired, thirsty and overheated lad can be imagined
+especially when he knows that it will be a piece of disobedience for him
+to go there?</p>
+
+<p>"That's the place," he exclaimed, hastening his footsteps; "when we get
+there, we'll have a chance to breathe."</p>
+
+<p>"Hurry up, then, Nick, for I can't stand this much longer."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h3>
+
+<h4>CALLING IN VAIN.</h4>
+
+
+<p>The distress of the brother and sister became greater every minute. They
+walked hurriedly along the bank of the creek, their path through the
+gloom illuminated now and then by the flashes of fire which shot through
+the strangling volumes of vapor. Nick, more than likely, would have gone
+astray but for his familiarity with the neighborhood.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to him as if the smoke, heavy, dense, sulphurous and
+suffocating, caused by the burning forest, was driven toward the bed of
+the stream, where it was pressed down by the weight from above, until it
+was the utmost he and Nellie could do to inhale enough of the
+contaminated air to sustain life.</p>
+
+<p>They hurried and struggled forward as best they could, and at last
+caught the glimmer of the broad expanse of water, which presented
+<a name="Page_255" id="Page_255"></a>itself in the light of a haven of refuge to them.</p>
+
+<p>It was a most welcome relief indeed, for they were now assured of one
+thing&mdash;they could not die the frightful death that overtook the poor
+mare. This broad expanse of cool, refreshing water could not burn up, no
+matter how fervent the heat that might envelop its shores. Its cool
+depths offered a refreshing refuge, such as can hardly be understood by
+one who is not suffering similarly.</p>
+
+<p>But it was rather curious that the boy and girl had endured more from
+the suffocating vapor than from the fire itself. Looking down at their
+garments, they were surprised to find them scorched in several places,
+and Nellie gave just the faintest scream when a pungent odor directed
+her gaze to a large hole burning in her dress.</p>
+
+<p>Nick glanced around, and, understanding what the matter was, called
+rather sharply:</p>
+
+<p>"Pinch it out!"</p>
+
+<p>She was already doing so, and she asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you pinch out that fire on your coat?"</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256"></a>Just then her brother jumped into the air and shouted, "Oh&mdash;ouch!" for
+the burning sleeve had gone through the shirt and reached the bare skin.
+He whipped off his coat in a twinkling, dipped it hastily into the
+water, doing the same with his right elbow, the element which
+extinguished the smoking garment being very grateful to the scorched
+limb.</p>
+
+<p>"Nellie," said he, "just cast your eye over me, and let me know whether
+there are any more fires going."</p>
+
+<p>He made up his mind that if she reported other conflagrations breaking
+out, he would subdue them in a lump by taking a header in the pond,
+whose shore they reached at that moment. But Nellie said he was in no
+danger so far as she could see, of immediate combustion and when she
+came to examine her own garments they were also free from the same
+peril.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, what shall we do that we have got here?" she asked, as, after
+walking a few steps, he came to a stop.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait, and see how things are coming out,"<a name="Page_257" id="Page_257"></a> he answered. "I begin to
+feel tired, so suppose we sit down and rest ourselves."</p>
+
+<p>The moment this was done, both uttered an exclamation of pleasure; for
+the relief from the distressing smoke was so great that it was as if
+they had emerged into the open country, where there was none of it at
+all.</p>
+
+<p>"Why did we not think of this before?" said Nick; "we ought to have
+known that smoke doesn't keep close to the ground."</p>
+
+<p>The atmosphere was not clear by any means, but the change was so marked
+that it appeared more than pure, and they sat several minutes gratefully
+inhaling that from which it seemed they had been shut off for many
+hours.</p>
+
+<p>But their rejoicing was too soon; for, though it may be true that in a
+burning building the surest place in which to gain enough air to support
+life is close to the floor, yet there can be so much of the strangling
+vapor that it will penetrate everywhere.</p>
+
+<p>Less than five minutes had passed, when a volume of smoke swept over and
+enveloped them, so dense that it was like the darkness of<a name="Page_258" id="Page_258"></a> Egypt, that
+could be felt, and the suffering of the brother and sister was pitiful.</p>
+
+<p>"Put your face close to the water," called out Nick, as well as he could
+do from coughing and strangling.</p>
+
+<p>At the same moment, their fevered cheeks touched the cold, refreshing
+surface, and something of relief was experienced.</p>
+
+<p>"It won't do to stay here," said Nick, a moment later.</p>
+
+<p>"But where can we go?"</p>
+
+<p>"Out in the pond; there's a better chance to breathe there than along
+shore."</p>
+
+<p>"But I can't swim, Nick."</p>
+
+<p>"What of that? I can, and I'll take care of you; but there is plenty of
+wood and we can make a raft. That reminds me that there <i>was</i> a raft
+here last week, when Sam Harper and I had a swim: I wonder where it can
+be. Help me to look for it."</p>
+
+<p>They moved slowly along the margin of the pond, peering through the
+gloom as best they could, but seeing nothing of the support on which
+they now placed so much hope.</p>
+
+<p>Nick Ribsam, however, did not fail to notice <a name="Page_259" id="Page_259"></a>one thing&mdash;it was becoming
+hotter every minute and they could not wait much longer before entering
+the water in very self-defense.</p>
+
+<p>They pushed bravely on, and when the circuit of Shark Pond was half
+completed, reached a point where the thick vapor lifted, or, more
+properly, it had not yet descended, and they stopped to rest themselves
+again.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," exclaimed Nick, with a sigh, "some folks would call this fun,
+but I don't see where it comes in."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how any one could find fun in such suffering; but, Nick,
+you will have to make a raft."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you are right; there isn't much chance to fasten these dry
+logs together, and I haven't time to build one that will hold us both."</p>
+
+<p>"What will you do?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will place you on it, and I'll swim along-side&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"There's the raft! I see it! I see it!"</p>
+
+<p>Nellie sprang to her feet and pointed out on the pond where, through the
+smoky gloom, the outlines of the half dozen logs, which Nick <a name="Page_260" id="Page_260"></a>and
+several of his playmates had bound together with withes, when frolicking
+in the water, were seen.</p>
+
+<p>The lad threw off his hat, vest, shoes, and stockings, so that only his
+shirt and trousers remained, and then took a header, his whole being
+thrilling with pleasure as the cold water closed around him.</p>
+
+<p>"Take care of my clothes!" he called to Nellie, "and I'll bring the raft
+over to you."</p>
+
+<p>As there was no immediate hurry, the situation of his sister being quite
+comfortable, the lad could not resist the temptation to disport himself
+awhile in the cool, refreshing element. He sank until his bare feet
+touched the pebbly bottom, and then shot upward with a bound; then he
+went over backward, floundered, and tumbled about like a porpoise.</p>
+
+<p>"Nick," called his sister, "you had better hurry and get that raft, for
+I cannot see it now."</p>
+
+<p>This startled the lad, but when he found he could not see Nellie either,
+he understood that it was on account of the overshadowing gloom that had
+fallen still lower; at the same time <a name="Page_261" id="Page_261"></a>the disturbance of the atmosphere
+had caused a strong wind to blow across the pond, and it was doubtless
+this which had started the mass of pine logs from the land, and was now
+bearing it away from where it lay when discovered by the girl.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you comfortable there?" called out Nick to his sister.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but don't wait too long, for it is growing warm, and I think the
+fire is close to me."</p>
+
+<p>The lad felt he had done wrong in idling his time, and he bent all his
+energies toward swimming to the raft, which, under any circumstances
+could not be far off.</p>
+
+<p>As it was, Nick was amazed to find it necessary to go a considerable
+ways before he caught sight of the familiar pile of logs floating
+buoyantly on the water, but he speedily reached them, and, drawing
+himself on top, hunted for the long pole that he had used so many times
+in navigating the pond.</p>
+
+<p>But it was not there, and he sank back into the water, and, holding on
+with his hands, used his feet vigorously to propel the raft <a name="Page_262" id="Page_262"></a>toward the
+bank, where he had left his loved sister but a short time before.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll soon be there, Nellie," he called; "are you all right?"</p>
+
+<p>This was a curious question to ask, though it was natural, perhaps, for
+any boy, under similar circumstances, but Nick felt a pang of fear when
+he repeated the call and did not receive any answer.</p>
+
+<p>He put forth all the energy at his command, and steadily pushed the
+float toward land. Now and then, while doing so, he shouted to his
+sister, without hearing any reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Can it be anything has happened to her?" he asked himself several times
+as he peered through the gloom, unable to catch the outlines of brave
+little Nellie.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a>CHAPTER XXXV.</h3>
+
+<h4>WHAT FRIGHTENED NELLIE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>Nick Ribsam thought not of himself, in his anxiety for his sister. He
+had left her but a few brief minutes before, sitting on the shore of the
+lake, and now when he returned she was missing.</p>
+
+<p>He had called to her repeatedly without receiving any answer, and when
+he looked about him in the smoke and gloom, he could see nothing of her
+loved figure.</p>
+
+<p>He noticed that it was very hot where he stood, and there could be no
+doubt that the flames were advancing in that direction. His dread was
+that Nellie had lost her wits in the presence of the new danger, and had
+run blindly into the burning woods where there could be no escape for
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"Nellie! Nellie!" he shouted in agonized tones; "Where are you? Why
+don't you answer me?"</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264"></a>He thought he heard something like a faint response, but it was not
+repeated, and poor Nick was half distracted. For the first time since
+entering the burning forest he lost his self-control, and not doubting
+that his sister was somewhere close at hand, he dashed among the trees,
+still calling to her at the height of his voice.</p>
+
+<p>He had gone but a short distance when he was brought face to face with
+such a fierce blast of flame that he was forced to turn and run back to
+the water's edge, where he stopped for a minute or two gasping for
+breath.</p>
+
+<p>This repulse served to give him time to collect his wits, and he tried
+hard to decide what was best to do, for he was resolved never to leave
+that place until he learned the fate of Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>"She had good sense," he added to himself, "and she would not have done
+such a foolish thing. She has gone to some other spot along the shore
+and is waiting for me."</p>
+
+<p>Possibly this was so, but it did not explain the curious fact that all
+the calls of Nick remained unanswered. The space inclosing the <a name="Page_265" id="Page_265"></a>pond was
+so slight that his voice must have penetrated every portion of it, and
+it did seem that if she were in any place safe for her to be, she could
+not fail to hear him.</p>
+
+<p>Nick found a long branch, which answered for a pole with which to guide
+the raft, and stepping on it he began pushing it along shore as rapidly
+as he could, looking into the gloom about him and often pronouncing the
+name of his sister. His heart sank within him when this continued
+several minutes, and half the circuit of the pond was completed without
+bringing him the first evidence of the whereabouts of Nellie.</p>
+
+<p>Finally he paused, wearied and distressed beyond description.</p>
+
+<p>The darkness of night rested on Shark Pond and the surrounding woods.
+The murky volumes of smoke seemed to shut out all light, excepting when
+the tongues of fire shot through them. The wind blew a gale, stirring
+the water into tiny waves, and the roaring of the fire through the
+woods, the sound of trees crashing to the earth, and the millions of
+sparks, with blazing bits of wood, were carried <a name="Page_266" id="Page_266"></a>a great distance
+through the air. Some of these flaming brands fell on the raft on which
+Nick Ribsam stood, and they continually dropped hissing into the water
+around him.</p>
+
+<p>The problem was, how the children had escaped thus far; and as the
+sturdy lad stood out on the pond with the long limb grasped in his hand,
+staring around him, he could not but wonder how it was he had been
+preserved after driving directly into the forest when it was literally
+aflame from one end to the other.</p>
+
+<p>But these thoughts were only for the moment; he had left Nellie, not
+expecting to be out of her sight, much less beyond her hearing, and she
+had vanished as mysteriously as if the earth had opened and swallowed
+her up.</p>
+
+<p>And yet he could not believe she was lost. She had proven that she was
+not the weak girl to do anything rashly, or to sit down and fold her
+hands and make no attempt to save herself. Something more than the
+general danger which impended over both must have arisen, during that
+brief period, to drive her from her post.</p>
+
+<p>"Nellie! Nellie!" he called again, shov<a name="Page_267" id="Page_267"></a>ing the pole vigorously against
+the bottom of the pond.</p>
+
+<p>He was sure he heard the faint response this time, and so distinctly
+that he caught the direction; it was from a point on the shore very
+nearly opposite where he had left her.</p>
+
+<p>"I hear you," he called back, working the unwieldy float toward the
+spot; "I'll soon be there."</p>
+
+<p>The distance was not great and it took but a few minutes to approach
+quite close to the land, where, with a delight which can scarcely be
+imagined, he saw Nellie standing close to the water's edge, beckoning
+him to make all haste.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you hurt?" he asked, as he forced the craft close to her.</p>
+
+<p>"No," she answered, with a strange laugh, "but I thought my last moment
+had come."</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you hear me call you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I did; any one within a mile could hear you."</p>
+
+<p>"Why then didn't you answer me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I was afraid to."</p>
+
+<p>"Afraid of what?"</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268"></a>"Didn't you see him?" was the puzzling question of Nellie in return, as
+she stepped carefully upon the raft, helped by the extended hand of her
+brother.</p>
+
+<p>"Nellie, stop talking in puzzles," said Nick; "I was so scared about you
+that I won't get over it for a week; I called to, and hunted for you,
+and you say you heard me; you must have known how frightened I was, and
+yet you stood still and never made any answer, except a minute ago, when
+I just managed to hear you. If you think it is right, I don't&mdash;that's
+all."</p>
+
+<p>He turned away offended, when she said:</p>
+
+<p>"Forgive me, Nick; but I was afraid to answer you."</p>
+
+<p>"Afraid of <i>what</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of that <i>bear</i>&mdash;you must have seen him," was the astonishing answer of
+the girl.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie then told her story: she was standing on the shore awaiting the
+return of her brother, when she was terrified almost out of senses by
+the appearance of a large black bear, which was evidently driven out of
+the burning forest by the flames.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269"></a>He did not seem to notice the girl, but when he began lumbering toward
+her, as if seeking a good spot where he might enter the pond, Nellie did
+not stay on the order of her going, but fled from the new peril, hardly
+conscious of what direction she took. She knew better than to venture
+among the blazing trees from which she and her brother had had such a
+narrow escape, and she sped forward around the lake until she reached a
+point nearly opposite. On the way she never looked behind her once,
+certain as she was that the creature was ready to seize and devour her.</p>
+
+<p>She was sure she heard him crashing almost upon her heels; but when she
+paused, and finally turned her frightened looks backward, nothing of the
+brute was to be seen, and she did not know what had become of him.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the other bear which Mrs. Fowler saw, and which she told Sam
+Harper, Herbert Watrous, and me, we would see some time or other."</p>
+
+<p>"But that was almost two years ago."</p>
+
+<p>"I know that; don't you suppose a bear will keep that long? This one has
+known <a name="Page_270" id="Page_270"></a>enough to stay out of sight until the fire has forced him from
+his hiding-place."</p>
+
+<p>After Nellie had heard her brother call to her, she was fearful that if
+she answered she would betray herself to the brute, who would instantly
+make for her; so she held her peace, even though she saw nothing of the
+bear, and venturing on a rather feeble answer when the tones of Nick
+told how much apprehension he was suffering over his failure to find
+her.</p>
+
+<p>Now that the two were on the raft, which was shoved out in the deep
+water, something like confidence came back to her, and she was willing
+to talk about the beast.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't imagine what has become of him," said the brother, after her
+story was told; "from what I have heard and read, the bear is not afraid
+of water, and they often go in to bathe, just like us boys, for the fun
+of the thing. I don't see why he should have waited when he had the fire
+to urge him on."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe he is swimming around the lake now," whispered Nellie, looking
+over as much of the surface as was visible through the hot smoke.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271"></a>"I shouldn't be surprised, though it is odd that I did not see him,"
+said Nick, pressing his pole against the bottom; "he is not far off, you
+may depend."</p>
+
+<p>"There! didn't you hear him?" asked Nellie, a moment later, as something
+like the grunt of a huge hog alarmed both brother and sister.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h3>
+
+<h4>AN UNWELCOME PASSENGER.</h4>
+
+
+<p>A second time a loud snort was heard, as though some large animal were
+blowing the water from his nostrils, and at the same instant Nick and
+Nellie caught sight of the huge snout of the bear coming through the
+water toward them.</p>
+
+<p>He was making directly for the raft beyond all question.</p>
+
+<p>"By jingo, this raft wasn't built to carry bears!" exclaimed the
+startled lad, who used the pole with all the strength of which he was
+master; but, unfortunately, the bottom of the pond was composed of
+slippery rocks in many places, and the blunt end of the crooked limb
+slid along the upper surface of one of these so quickly that Nick
+dropped on his side and came within a hair's breadth of rolling
+overboard.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273"></a>But he was up again like a flash, and toiling with might and main.</p>
+
+<p>Rafts as generally constructed, are not capable of much speed, and
+though Nick Ribsam got out all there was in the one which he had
+managed, it was not to be expected that he could compare with the
+velocity of a strong, healthy bear.</p>
+
+<p>"He's coming, Nick! Oh, he will catch us sure!" exclaimed the sorely
+frightened Nellie, edging so far away that she, too, was in danger of
+going over.</p>
+
+<p>"I know he is," replied the sturdy lad, working hard with the guiding
+pole, "and I think he can beat us. Do you stay where you are, and don't
+try to get any further off or you will be drowned. I'll bang him over
+the head if he tries to climb on here and ride with us."</p>
+
+<p>Such was the purpose of the beast, beyond question; and, approaching
+fast, only a brief time elapsed ere his huge snout was shoved against
+the logs, his big paws, dripping with wet, flapped out from below the
+surface and both rested on the raft, which sank so low that Nellie
+screamed and Nick turned pale.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274"></a>Determined to keep off such an undesirable passenger, the lad raised
+the stick in his hand and brought it down with all his strength on the
+head of the bear, which acted as though unaware that he was struck.</p>
+
+<p>Nick repeated the blows, that would have settled the business for a less
+formidable animal but it was plain that brain did not consider the
+matter a serious one. Having secured a rest for his paws, his whole body
+was supported in the water, and the beast, which was no doubt very
+tired, simply ceased all effort, and floated with the wind.</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you knock him off?" asked Nellie, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"Because I ain't strong enough, I suppose; he's the toughest customer I
+ever got hold of, or seemed to have a good chance to get hold of me."</p>
+
+<p>"I've a great notion to dig out his eyes myself."</p>
+
+<p>"If you try it, it will be the last bear you ever scratch; look at those
+paws! did you ever see such nails? didn't you hear them rattle against
+the logs when he struck them?"</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275"></a>"Suppose he tries to climb upon the raft," ventured Nellie, trying to
+edge still further away, "what will become of us?"</p>
+
+<p>"The raft won't hold him; he'll sink it, and we'll have to get along as
+best we can; but, Nellie, he acts to me as though he is satisfied with
+being where he is, and he won't disturb us so long as we let him alone."</p>
+
+<p>"But you struck him several hard blows."</p>
+
+<p>"He's forgotten all about it, if he ever knew it. I guess he has had a
+pretty lively run to reach the pond in time to save his hide, and now
+that he is in the water, he will stay there a good while."</p>
+
+<p>There was a likelihood that Nick was right, and that the bear wanted
+nothing more than a rest; and yet the possibility that he would soon try
+to draw his entire body upon the raft prevented the brother and sister
+from having any peace of mind.</p>
+
+<p>When this singular tableau had lasted several minutes, it was discovered
+that the wind was carrying the raft, with its incubus, toward the
+western shore again, and Nick, afraid that if they all landed together,
+the bear <a name="Page_276" id="Page_276"></a>might seize the occasion to make a supper off of them, reached
+the pole over the side, and began working the logs to the middle of the
+pond.</p>
+
+<p>During this performance the brute never stirred. His head, shoulders and
+paws were out of the water, the principal bulk of his body being
+beneath, and he seemed contented to be navigated about the small lake in
+any fashion the proprietor of the raft deemed best.</p>
+
+<p>When considerable time had passed without his offering to destroy them,
+the boy and girl were able to view the beast with feelings of less
+alarm. They looked at the large head, pig-like snout, round, dark eyes,
+and could well understand the terror which an unarmed person feels on
+meeting one of them in the woods.</p>
+
+<p>But so long as bruin remained there, so long was he a threat; and Nick
+was trying hard to think of some plan by which to get rid of him.</p>
+
+<p>He had tested beating him, but with no success, while he ran the risk of
+exciting him to a <a name="Page_277" id="Page_277"></a>dangerous degree of savagery if he should persist in
+it. The boy had no weapon about him, unless his jack-knife should be
+counted as such, and nothing could be accomplished with that. He asked
+himself whether it were possible to dive under the raft and give him two
+or three vigorous thrusts with the implement; but, fortunately, the lad
+had too much sense to undertake anything of that sort, which, more than
+likely, would have resulted in the destruction of himself and sister.</p>
+
+<p>There really seemed no way open for the young hero to do anything at
+all, except to follow the advice of his father: "Do all you can for
+yourself and then leave the rest to Providence."</p>
+
+<p>"If I could think of anything," said he to Nellie, "I would do it, but
+we shall have to wait."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe when he is rested he will swim off and go ashore."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish he would; but it seems to me that he has got a look in his eye,
+which says that pretty soon he will try to enjoy a little more of the
+raft than he now does: and when he <a name="Page_278" id="Page_278"></a>undertakes it, you can make up your
+mind, Nellie, that there will be a row."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not let the raft drift close to land, so as to give him a chance to
+get off?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose he doesn't take the chance, which he has now; no, we'll wait
+awhile and see what he thinks about it."</p>
+
+<p>So soon as they could feel anything like relief from watching the
+passenger, the brother and sister looked at the scene around them, which
+was enough to strike any one with awe.</p>
+
+<p>The murky vapor was pouring across the water; burning leaves, sticks,
+and large branches of wood seemed to be carried almost horizontally on
+the wind, while the blazing forest roared like the ocean when swept by
+the monsoon.</p>
+
+<p>Whether the memorable dark day of 1881 still overspread the earth
+beyond, the two had no means of knowing; but they did know and feel that
+they were enveloped in an awful night, illumined only by the burning
+forests about them.</p>
+
+<p>Should the bear fail to harm them, they <a name="Page_279" id="Page_279"></a>might well ask themselves the
+question, when would they be able to leave the water, in which they had
+taken refuge. It was not likely they would be forced to keep to the raft
+itself very long, but, after stepping foot on shore, they would be
+surrounded, if not by the burning forest itself, by its embers, which
+would render traveling perilous for days to come.</p>
+
+<p>Altogether, it will be seen that the situation of the two was as
+unpleasant&mdash;if, not absolutely dangerous&mdash;as it could well be.</p>
+
+<p>Nick was on the point, more than once, of following the advice of his
+sister,&mdash;to allow the raft to be carried by the wind against the shore,
+with the hope that the bear, when his hind legs should touch bottom,
+would take himself off; but he was afraid to do so, for it seemed to him
+that when the brute should be relieved of the necessity of looking after
+himself, he would turn and look after the boy and girl too closely for
+their safety.</p>
+
+<p>The very danger, however, that was dreaded more than all others, came
+when least expected.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280"></a>Nick had worked the unwieldy craft out in the pond again and had sat
+down beside Nellie, when, with one of his startling sniffs, the bear
+made a plunge, which heaved half of his body out of the water and lifted
+it upon the raft.</p>
+
+<p>As Nick Ribsam had previously remarked, the structure was not built for
+the accommodation of such passengers, and it began sinking, as the
+unwonted weight bore it down.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be scared," said he to his sister; "maybe it's the best thing
+that could happen; put your hands on my shoulders and keep cool, and
+we'll swim out yet."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h3>
+
+<h4>A BRAVE STRUGGLE.</h4>
+
+
+<p>It was a trying ordeal for little Nellie Ribsam; but she met it with the
+courage and coolness of her brother. She could not swim a stroke, and,
+under heaven, everything depended on him. If she should lose her
+self-control, as would be the case with nine tenths of the girls of her
+age placed in a similar situation she was likely to drown both herself
+and her brother.</p>
+
+<p>But so long as she obeyed instructions, and the bear did not interfere,
+they were safe. She placed her hands on the shoulders of Nick, as he
+told her to do, and he struck out with his powerful stroke, which he
+could keep up for an hour if need be.</p>
+
+<p>The difficulty of the situation was deepened tenfold by the anxiety to
+know what the bear meant to do. He had it in his power to overtake both,
+and it would have been a trifling <a name="Page_282" id="Page_282"></a>matter for him to "dispose" of them
+in a twinkling: one or two strokes of his immense paw were sufficient.</p>
+
+<p>It was the aim of Nick, therefore, to get away as speedily as possible;
+and he exerted himself to the utmost, glancing continually over his
+shoulder, as did the sorely frightened Nellie, who could not avoid a
+half gasping scream as the waters closed about her to her chin.</p>
+
+<p>But bruin seemed to be absorbed in the management of the raft, which, in
+fact, was more than he could manage. It was all well enough, so long as
+it only half supported him; but when he came to lift his huge bulk out
+of the water the buoyancy of the float was overcome, and it went down.</p>
+
+<p>The bear did not seem to understand it: a moment before he was resting
+upon a mass of logs, and now, when he looked around, they were
+invisible, and he was compelled to swim to support himself. He therefore
+struck out with a loud splash, and had scarcely done so when the light
+pine logs popped up again like so much cork.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283"></a>The brute turned around and dropped both paws upon them. Finding they
+kept afloat, he was too foolish to be content, but repeated his
+performance, and, as a consequence, speedily found himself pawing the
+water again to keep his own head above the surface.</p>
+
+<p>This second failure seemed to disgust him, and he paid no further
+attention to the logs, but headed for the shore, which was so close at
+hand that he reached it in a minute or two.</p>
+
+<p>This proceeding on the part of the bear, it will be understood, was of
+great benefit to the brother and sister, who improved it to the utmost.
+It occupied a brief time, during which Nick swam strongly and steadily,
+and before the brute was master of the situation Nick's feet touched
+bottom, and, taking the hand of Nellie in his own, they walked ashore.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is he?" asked the girl, the moment their feet rested on dry land.</p>
+
+<p>"He isn't far off," replied Nick, "and I don't think he cares to disturb
+us, but I would rather keep him at a distance."</p>
+
+<p>It may be set down as certain that Nick and<a name="Page_284" id="Page_284"></a> Nellie were never in such
+serious peril from the beast as they believed. The bear was of the
+ordinary black kind, found in the Middle States, which is not
+particularly savage, and often passes a person without offering him
+harm.</p>
+
+<p>It is only when the hunter and his dogs assail the brute, or when he is
+driven by hunger, that he will boldly attack a person.</p>
+
+<p>Besides this, the animal of which I am speaking, had, no doubt, been
+routed out of his lair in the woods by the approach of the fire, and it
+was the most he could do to reach the pond in time to save himself. This
+accounted for his excessive fatigue, which made him loth to enter the
+water, where he knew he must swim, and which caused him, after entering
+it, immediately to make for the raft, that he might avail himself of its
+support.</p>
+
+<p>He had no purpose of molesting the children, and was too indolent to
+resent the insignificant attack made upon him by Nick with the stick.</p>
+
+<p>But it was not to be supposed that the boy and girl could feel any
+assurance on this point, <a name="Page_285" id="Page_285"></a>and their fright was such as would have come
+to any older person placed as they were.</p>
+
+<p>It was only through the protection of a wonderful Providence that they
+had escaped thus far from the fate of hundreds who, in different parts
+of the country, fell victims to the innumerable forest fires.</p>
+
+<p>When the two emerged from the water, they saw nothing of the bear that
+had caused them so much disquietude. He had probably headed for the
+other side of the pond, and was now shut out from view by the volume of
+smoke which intervened.</p>
+
+<p>"He'll be here after us," said the alarmed Nellie, whose nervousness was
+excusable; "and I wish you would hurry away."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think there is any need to be scared, after all," replied her
+brother; "the bear has all he can do to look after himself, without
+bothering us."</p>
+
+<p>The fugitives were in a pitiable plight. Nellie's garments were soaked
+by the water through which she had passed, but the heavy heat of the air
+prevented her suffering from cold, though the clinging garments caused
+her <a name="Page_286" id="Page_286"></a>to feel ill at ease; and, like her tidy mother, she longed to be at
+home, that she might change them for clean, dry ones.</p>
+
+<p>When Nick found they had to leave the raft, he caught up his shoes, with
+the stockings stuffed in them, and, hastily tying the strings together,
+slung them around his neck. He did not forget, in the excitement of the
+moment, that they were indispensable.</p>
+
+<p>But there was no way of saving coat, vest and hat, without running more
+risk than any one ought to run, and the lad let them go, hoping that,
+possibly, he might recover them after a time.</p>
+
+<p>He had scarcely set his feet upon the ground, when he took them off
+again. The earth was baking hot to the water's edge, and a live ember,
+which the ashes concealed from sight, was revealed when the bare foot
+was placed upon it.</p>
+
+<p>Nick cooled his blistering toes, and then, as quick as possible, drew on
+his wet shoes and stockings.</p>
+
+<p>"I would be in a pretty fix if barefoot," said he, "I wouldn't have been
+able to walk <a name="Page_287" id="Page_287"></a>home through these woods for a week or less."</p>
+
+<p>It was plain to be seen that the fury of the conflagration had spent
+itself, so far as it affected this portion of the wood. That tornado of
+the flame, which swept everything before it, had leaped across the pond,
+and was speeding onward until it should die out from want of fuel.</p>
+
+<p>In its path was the blackness of desolation. The trees were still
+burning, but it was in a smoldering, smoking way, with blazing branches
+here and there, dropping piecemeal to the ground. The flames, which
+charged forward as they do through the dry prairie grass, had passed by,
+and the brother and sister had now the opportunity to attempt to reach
+home.</p>
+
+<p>But it would be hard to overestimate the distress caused by the
+atmosphere which the forest fires left behind them. There are many gases
+and vapors which we cannot breathe; but the trouble about smoke is that
+although we can manage to get along with it when it is not too dense, it
+is excessively irritating to the lungs.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288"></a>Several minutes passed, during which little trouble was experienced,
+and then the two were forced to cough and gasp until they almost sank to
+the ground from exhaustion. Occasionally the vapor would lift, and,
+floating away, leave the air below comparatively pure, and then the
+black and blue atmosphere, heavy with impurities, would descend and wrap
+them about as with a garment.</p>
+
+<p>"There's one thing sure," said Nick, when he found himself able to speak
+with some degree of comfort.</p>
+
+<p>"What is that?" asked his sister.</p>
+
+<p>"This will gradually get better and better."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how it can get any worse," was the truthful answer of
+Nellie, who felt as though she had stood all she could bear.</p>
+
+<p>Since the danger of being caught in the flames was gone, the two were at
+liberty to venture in any direction they chose.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll make the start, any way!" said Nick, with his old resolution of
+manner; "keep close to me, and, if you see any new bears, don't run into
+the woods to hide without saying something to me."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h3>
+
+<h4>BEAR AND FORBEAR.</h4>
+
+
+<p>"See here," said Nick Ribsam, stopping suddenly, after taking only a few
+steps, "I don't like this idea of going home and leaving so many of my
+clothes behind. That's a good coat and vest, and the hat is my Sunday
+one."</p>
+
+<p>"You ain't going back to get them, Nick, when the bear is waiting for
+you!" exclaimed the sister; "if you do, I just think you haven't got any
+sense at all&mdash;now there! that's all there is about <i>that</i>."</p>
+
+<p>This was a severe denunciation, but it did not deter the lad from
+turning directly about and hurrying to the spot where he had landed,
+when forced to help Nellie ashore.</p>
+
+<p>A strong breeze was still blowing, so that the craft, whether the bear
+was clinging to it or not, would be sure to come to land again. Nick did
+not know that the animal had left it, <a name="Page_290" id="Page_290"></a>and he was not foolish enough to
+invite the beast to assail him.</p>
+
+<p>The logs, relieved from their burden, were floating over the surface,
+and the lad caught sight of them but a short distance off, steadily
+approaching the shore.</p>
+
+<p>"The raft must have gone under with the coat, vest, and hat," he said,
+watching the floating mass, "and I should think my clothes would have
+been lost; but there is something on the logs that looks like my coat
+and vest. It would be odd if they had kept their place."</p>
+
+<p>Naturally, the whole attention of Nick was absorbed in this matter; and,
+when he found that the wind was carrying the raft and its freight toward
+another point, he moved along the margin so as to anticipate its
+arrival.</p>
+
+<p>As he did so, like the renowned Captain John Smith when pursued by
+Powhatan's warriors, he paid no attention to where his feet led him. He
+was studying the raft, as best he could through the smoky darkness, and,
+knowing the shore as well as he did, he saw no need of looking downward.</p>
+
+<p>All at once his feet struck a large, soft mass, <a name="Page_291" id="Page_291"></a>and, before he could
+check himself, he pitched headlong over it, as though it were a bale of
+cloth in his path. The nimble boy was on his feet like a flash, and,
+quick as he was, he was not a moment too soon.</p>
+
+<p>He had caught the ominous growl, and he knew the bear had got in his way
+again, as it had persisted in doing before.</p>
+
+<p>It did seem singular that the boy and bruin should meet so often, and it
+may be that the animal, that was resting himself, lost patience over
+such persecution, for he raised his huge body and made for the
+frightened boy.</p>
+
+<p>It was an alarming situation for the latter, who did not lose his
+presence of mind. He knew much of the nature of the animal, though he
+had never before been brought face to face in this fashion with a wild
+one.</p>
+
+<p>Desperate as was the haste with which Nick Ribsam fled, he did not
+forget to run directly away from his sister, so as to prevent her
+becoming involved in this new danger.</p>
+
+<p>Nor did the lad make any outcry, that could only have resulted in
+frightening her, but he simply devoted all his energy to getting away
+<a name="Page_292" id="Page_292"></a>from his pursuer, whose whole savage nature seemed to have been aroused
+by the last disturbance.</p>
+
+<p>Who shall not say that bruin did not identify the youngster as the one
+that had rapped him so smartly over the snout when he was seeking a
+resting-place on the raft? If such were the fact, it cannot be wondered
+that the beast pursued the fellow with such persistency.</p>
+
+<p>Nick Ribsam was considered a rapid runner by his playmates, but it took
+only a minute or two for him to find out he was no match for his
+pursuer, who, starting only a short distance to the rear, was
+overhauling him "hand-over-hand."</p>
+
+<p>The boy hoped that the scorching earth would keep the beast from chasing
+him with too much ardor, but it did not; and, as there was no other
+recourse, he ran to a sapling, up which he climbed with the celerity of
+a monkey.</p>
+
+<p>Even as it was, it was within a second of being too late. The bear was
+so close that, rising on his haunches, he reached his paws and <a name="Page_293" id="Page_293"></a>grasped
+the lowermost foot of Nick, whose hair fairly rose on end, as he thought
+for the moment that he was going to be dragged down into the crushing
+embrace of the dreaded animal.</p>
+
+<p>But, fortunately, the shoe pulled off, and, before the bear could
+understand it, the supple lad was perched above his reach and looking
+down upon him.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Nick, with a sigh, "this is considerably more than I
+counted on. I didn't think, from the way you acted in the water, that
+you were anything but a big coward; but I'm thankful enough you didn't
+get your claws on me."</p>
+
+<p>The huge creature examined the shoe carefully and, finding there was no
+boy in it, dropped it to the ground, and, sitting on his haunches, again
+looked longingly upward at the fellow perched just above his reach, as
+though he understood what a choice dinner he would afford a bruin of his
+size.</p>
+
+<p>When he ran out his red tongue and licked his inky snout, Nick could not
+help laughing.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294"></a>"Not just yet, old fellow; I'd rather stay here two or three days than
+come down to you."</p>
+
+<p>When some minutes had passed, Nick began to feel that the situation had
+nothing funny in it at all. What more likely than that the beast, having
+made up his mind to take the next meal off a plump boy, would stay there
+until that same boy would be unable to keep his perch any longer, and
+would drop of his own accord, like a ripe apple.</p>
+
+<p>The question was a serious one indeed, and while the lad was trying hard
+to determine what was best to do, he heard Nellie calling to him. She,
+too, was becoming impatient over the long separation and was coming to
+find out what it meant.</p>
+
+<p>Nick shouted back for her not to approach, explaining that he was up a
+tree with a bear watching him, and that if she came any nearer the
+animal would be sure to change his attention to her.</p>
+
+<p>This was enough to keep any one at a respectful distance, but, when
+Nellie Ribsam heard the alarming announcement, she was <a name="Page_295" id="Page_295"></a>determined on
+one thing: she would see for herself what sort of a picture was made by
+a boy up a tree with a black bear watching him as the one watched her
+two years before.</p>
+
+<p>Nick having warned her against coming any nigher, it followed that the
+temptation to do so was irresistible.</p>
+
+<p>The lifting of the smoke had let in some sunlight, and it did not take
+her long to reach a position from which she could look on the
+interesting scene.</p>
+
+<p>"Nick! Nick!" she called, in a guarded voice, not intended for the ears
+of the bear.</p>
+
+<p>The boy, alarmed for his sister's safety, turned toward the quarter
+whence it came, and saw the white face peering from behind the trunk of
+a tree no more than a hundred feet distant. He instantly gesticulated
+for her to keep out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>"You have done a silly thing, Nellie," said he, impatiently; "the bear
+is sure to see you, and if he does, it will be the last of you."</p>
+
+<p>"But I don't mean he shall see me," said the brave but not very prudent
+girl; "if he <a name="Page_296" id="Page_296"></a>looks around, why I'll dodge my head back&mdash;My gracious!
+he's looking now!"</p>
+
+<p>And Nellie threw her head so far from the side around which she was
+peeping, that, if the bear had looked sharp, he would have detected the
+somewhat bedraggled hat on the other side of the charred trunk.</p>
+
+<p>Nick called to her to be more careful, as he plainly discerned her hat,
+and the head-gear vanished.</p>
+
+<p>The lad's fear was now on account of his sister, for he knew that so
+long as he himself could maintain his position in the tree, so long was
+he safe. The bear species cannot climb trees whose trunks are so small
+that their claws meet around them, and although this brute scratched at
+the sapling as though he meditated an attempt, yet he made none, but sat
+still, looking wistfully upward, and probably hopeful that the boy
+perched there would soon come down.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep yourself out of sight!" called Nick to Nellie, "for you can't do
+anything to help me."</p>
+
+<p>The girl understood this, and she began to <a name="Page_297" id="Page_297"></a>believe, with Nick, that she
+had done an exceedingly foolish thing in venturing into the bear's field
+of vision in this fashion.</p>
+
+<p>And what was to be the end of this singular and most uncomfortable
+condition of affairs?</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298"></a></p>
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h3>
+
+<h4>CONCLUSION.</h4>
+
+
+<p>For a half hour the situation remained unchanged. Nick Ribsam kept his
+perch in the branches of the sapling, and, before the end of the time
+named, he found the seat becoming so uncomfortable that he was sure he
+could not bear it much longer.</p>
+
+<p>The narrow limb on which he rested, while he held himself in place by
+grasping the sapling itself, seemed to grow narrower and sharper, while
+his own weight increased, until he believed it would be preferable to
+let go and hang on with his hands.</p>
+
+<p>It was not much better with Nellie, who had awakened to such a sense of
+her position that she did not dare to do more than peep out from where
+she stood, at rare intervals, quickly drawing back her head lest the
+savage animal should see her.</p>
+
+<p>The bear himself showed a patience which <a name="Page_299" id="Page_299"></a>was astonishing, and was like
+that of the Esquimau, who never stirs a muscle for hour after hour,
+while sitting beside the air-hole in the ice, waiting for the seal to
+show his nose above the surface.</p>
+
+<p>Bruin moved more slightly now and then, but went no more than a dozen
+yards from the tree, and seemed never to take his eyes from his victim
+for more than a second or two.</p>
+
+<p>During these trying minutes, the smoke sometimes filled the air scarcely
+less than before and the eyes of the brother and sister smarted and
+stung and shed tears, and their lungs became sore from continual
+coughing, rendered the more distressing in the case of Nellie, who was
+obliged to suppress the noise by cramming her handkerchief in her mouth.</p>
+
+<p>But during the same period, the wits of Nick Ribsam were not idle. He
+had thought of sending Nellie home to bring her father to his
+assistance, but he was restrained by the fear that the bear would detect
+her, and, even if she should get away, he doubted whether she would be
+able to find her way through the woods to the open country beyond.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300"></a>Here and there the trees were burning, and the dry limbs lay on the
+ground, giving out the red glow of smoldering embers, or sending out
+little twists of smoke to join the enormous mass of vapor which hung
+like a pall over so many square miles of country.</p>
+
+<p>Nellie, for the twentieth time, leaned her head forward and looked out
+from behind the tree trunk that sheltered her. She saw the bear sitting
+on his haunches some twenty feet away, looking steadily upward, as
+though he were a charred stump, which could never change its posture or
+position. Nick rested uneasily on the narrow limb, when he made a
+movement which the quick-witted girl knew at once meant that he had
+resolved on trying to do something for himself.</p>
+
+<p>Carefully freeing his legs from the branch, he lowered himself so that
+he hung by his hands, within ten feet of the ground. Hanging only a
+second or two, he let go and dropped lightly upon his feet.</p>
+
+<p>The whole thing took less than a minute, but the bear had observed it
+almost as quickly as did Nellie, and the minute the lad struck <a name="Page_301" id="Page_301"></a>the
+ground the beast was lumbering toward him.</p>
+
+<p>Poor, terrified Nellie screamed and ran from behind the tree, certain
+that it was all over with her brave brother; but the latter did not
+despair by any means. With astonishing celerity, he dashed to where a
+large pine branch lay on the ground, burned in two; and catching up one
+of the pieces, which was so hot that it scorched his fingers, he whirled
+it about with such quickness that the glowing end made one steady, even
+wheel of fire about his head. He recalled his experience in the woods
+two years before when hunting the other bear.</p>
+
+<p>While doing this, bruin was advancing rapidly on the boy, who kept
+circling the torch until the beast was within ten feet, by which time
+the stick was blazing as though it were a pine knot.</p>
+
+<p>Then, with a boyish shout, Nick extended his arm at full length,
+pointing the flaming torch straight at the head of his foe, as though he
+held a Damascus sword of needle-like sharpness which he meant to drive
+through the iron <a name="Page_302" id="Page_302"></a>skull, and he strode directly at the beast with the
+step of a conqueror.</p>
+
+<p>Every animal, wild or domestic, dreads fire, and this strange attack was
+more than the bear could stand. Without the least attention to dignity,
+he turned about and swung off toward the lake, doubtless of the opinion
+that there alone he could find safety from the element that drove him
+thither in the first place.</p>
+
+<p>Nick shouted and broke into a run, and the bear did the same! Just under
+the tree, the lad stopped and put on his shoe, which had been somewhat
+damaged by the claws of the brute. Then, being well shod and in no
+further danger from the animal, on which he had turned the tables so
+unexpectedly, Nick joined his sister, still carrying his torch as a
+precaution in the event of bruin's changing his mind and making after
+him.</p>
+
+<p>But there was no danger of anything of the kind, and the bear was not
+seen to look behind him, even to learn whether the pursuit was kept up.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I will give over my hunt for the <a name="Page_303" id="Page_303"></a>rest of my clothes till some
+better time," said Nick, once more taking the hand of Nellie and
+starting up the bank of the stream which fed the pond, toward the bridge
+that had burned some time before.</p>
+
+<p>By carefully picking their path they reached it without mishap, being on
+the southern side, so that it was not necessary to ford it in order to
+continue the road homeward.</p>
+
+<p>The structure was an ordinary one, consisting of a single uncovered
+span, so that its loss was not serious, except on account of the
+inconvenience it would cause.</p>
+
+<p>The two stood several minutes looking upon the ruins, that were not very
+extensive, but their chief interest centered around the carcass of the
+mare lying at the bottom of the creek, where it had floated against the
+shore.</p>
+
+<p>The children were naturally attached to the animal, and there were tears
+in their eyes, when, with a deep sigh, they turned away and climbed up
+the steep bank to the level of the road and started for home.</p>
+
+<p>They had reason to doubt their ability to <a name="Page_304" id="Page_304"></a>force their way through the
+several miles of forest remaining between them and the open country
+beyond, but they were resolved to do their utmost, for they dreaded
+staying any longer in the section where they had suffered and escaped so
+much.</p>
+
+<p>As has been stated, the fury of the conflagration had expended itself,
+and there was nothing to be feared from the scorching flames, which had
+confronted and endangered them shortly after they entered the woods, on
+their return.</p>
+
+<p>The road was strewn with burning debris, and many a time they were
+forced to stop, in doubt whether they could get by the obstruction but
+some way always opened: they would find a point where it could be
+leaped, or they would flank it by a little circuit through the woods
+themselves.</p>
+
+<p>In this manner they toiled on until half the distance was passed, when
+they were brought to a stand-still by a discovery which took away their
+breath for the time.</p>
+
+<p>They saw the ruins of something which they did not recognize until they
+drew near, when <a name="Page_305" id="Page_305"></a>they discovered that an ordinary farmer's wagon, with
+its two horses, had been burned. Little more than the iron work of the
+body was left, and the animals seemed to have gone down side by side,
+where they lay burned and burst open by the flames, that were less
+merciful to them than to the brother and sister who had made such a
+gallant fight for life.</p>
+
+<p>The sight was sad enough, but it was rendered tenfold more so by the
+figure of the driver, only a few rods distant. When his team gave out he
+had probably leaped to the ground and started to run from the fire, but
+was overtaken and perished miserably.</p>
+
+<p>"How thankful we ought to be!" said Nellie, in a subdued voice, as they
+moved forward again.</p>
+
+<p>"So I am," was the fervent response of Nick, whose heart was melted with
+pity for the unfortunate stranger, and with thankfulness that he and
+Nellie had been selected by Heaven for such a signal display of mercy.</p>
+
+<p><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306"></a>They were in constant dread of coming upon similar scenes, but they
+were spared the sight, and, at the end of about an hour from the time of
+leaving the bridge, they emerged into the open country, where they were
+near their own home.</p>
+
+<p>The afternoon was pretty well gone, and the sky still wore that
+impressive appearance which we all remember well; but it was not so
+marked as a short time before, and was rapidly passing away.</p>
+
+<p>There was a great deal of smoke drifting and floating through the air,
+but it caused less inconvenience and annoyance than it did when they
+fled to the pond for safety.</p>
+
+<p>The children gave another expression of their gratitude, and then
+hastened toward the humble home, which was, indeed, the dearest spot on
+earth to them.</p>
+
+<p>The parents were full of anxiety, though they hoped that Nick had seen
+the danger, and had stayed in Dunbarton with horse and carriage.</p>
+
+<p>But the couple stood at the gate, shading their eyes, and looking
+yearningly down the <a name="Page_307" id="Page_307"></a>road, in the hope of catching sight of the loved
+forms of the brave children.</p>
+
+<p>When they saw and recognized the figures, they rushed forth to meet
+them, with swelling hearts. Father and mother pressed them to their
+breasts, and the eyes of all were streaming with tears, for of Nick and
+Nellie might it not be said&mdash;"For these, my children, were dead, and are
+alive again: they were lost, and they are found?"</p>
+
+<p>When Nick had told the whole wonderful story, the father took his hand
+and said in his native tongue:</p>
+
+<p>"My boy, I have taught you that God helps them that help themselves. I
+am glad that at no time, so far as I can gather, did you despair. You
+and Nellie have been tried by fire, and have come out as pure gold.
+Heaven be praised for its mercies. The lesson you have learned will go
+with you through life. Never despair, but press onward and upward, and
+the reward shall be yours at last."</p>
+
+<p>And what did the good man say but that which our own beloved and mourned
+poet has so beautifully limned in lines that shall be as <a name="Page_308" id="Page_308"></a>immortal as
+his own fragrant deeds and revered memory?</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i8">Footprints, that perhaps another,<br /></span>
+<span class="i10">Sailing o'er life's solemn main,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,<br /></span>
+<span class="i10">Seeing, shall take heart again.<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Let us then be up and doing,<br /></span>
+<span class="i10">With a heart for any fate,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Still achieving, still pursuing,<br /></span>
+<span class="i10">Learn to labor and to wait.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h3>THE END.</h3>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h4><i>The second volume of the Wild-Woods Series will be</i> "<span class="smcap">On the Trail
+of the Moose</span>."</h4>
+<p><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309"></a></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+<div class="figright"><img src="images/gunboat.jpg" alt="GUN BOAT" title="GUN BOAT" /></div>
+<p><b>THE FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS.</b></p>
+
+<p><b>BY</b></p>
+
+<p><b>HARRY CASTLEMON.</b></p>
+
+
+<p>No author of the present day has become a greater favorite with boys
+than "Harry Castlemon:" every book by him is sure to meet with hearty
+reception by young readers generally. His naturalness and vivacity lead
+his readers from page to page with breathless interest, and when one
+volume is finished the fascinated reader, like Oliver Twist, asks "for
+more."</p>
+
+<p>*<sub>*</sub>* Any volume sold separately.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>
+<b>GUNBOAT SERIES.</b> By Harry Castlemon. 6 vols.,<br />12mo. Fully illustrated.
+Cloth, extra, printed<br />in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$7 50</b>
+</p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Frank, the Young Naturalist</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Frank in the Woods</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Frank on the Prairie</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Frank on a Gunboat</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Frank before Vicksburg</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Frank on the Lower Mississippi</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+<p><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310"></a></p>
+<p><b>GO AHEAD SERIES.</b> By Harry Castlemon. 3<br />
+vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed<br />
+in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$3 75</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Go Ahead;</b>&nbsp;or, The Fisher Boy's Motto</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>No Moss;</b>&nbsp;or, The Career of a Rolling Stone</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Tom Newcombe;</b>&nbsp;or, The Boy of Bad Habits</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.</b> By Harry<br />
+Castlemon. 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,<br />
+extra, printed in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$3 75</b></p>
+
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Frank among the Rancheros</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Frank in the Mountains</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.</b> By Harry<br />
+Castlemon. 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,<br />
+extra, printed in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$3 75</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Sportsman's Club Afloat</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Sportsman's Club among the Trappers</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>FRANK NELSON SERIES.</b> By Harry Castlemon<br />
+3 vols. 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra,<br />
+printed in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$3 75</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Snowed Up;</b>&nbsp;or, The Sportsman's Club in the Mts.</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Frank Nelson in the Forecastle;</b>&nbsp;or, The Sportsman's</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Club among the Whalers</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Boy Traders;</b>&nbsp;or, The Sportsman's Club among</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>the Boers</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>BOY TRAPPER SERIES.</b> By Harry Castlemon.<br />
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed<br />
+in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$3 75</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Buried Treasure;</b>&nbsp;or, Old Jordan's "Haunt"</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Boy Trapper;</b>&nbsp;or, How Dave Filled the Order</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Mail Carrier</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311"></a></p>
+<p><b>ROUGHING IT SERIES.</b> By Harry Castlemon.<br />
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed<br />
+in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$3 75</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>George in Camp;</b>&nbsp;or, Life on the Plains</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>George at the Wheel;</b>&nbsp;or, Life in a Pilot House.</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>George at the Fort;</b>&nbsp;or, Life Among the Soldiers.</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>ROD AND GUN SERIES.</b> By Harry Castlemon.<br />
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed<br />
+in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$3 75</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Don Gordon's Shooting Box</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Rod and Gun</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Young Wild Fowlers</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>FOREST AND STREAM SERIES.</b> By Harry<br />
+Castlemon. 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,<br />
+extra, printed in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$3 75</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Joe Wayring at Home;</b>&nbsp;or, Story of a Fly Rod</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Snagged and Sunk;</b>&nbsp;or, The Adventures of a Canvas</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Canoe</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Steel Horse;</b>&nbsp;or, The Rambles of a Bicycle</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>WAR SERIES.</b> By Harry Castlemon. 3 vols.,<br />
+12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed in<br />
+colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$3 75</b></p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>True to his Colors</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Rodney, the Partisan</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>OUR FELLOWS;</b> or, Skirmishes with the Swamp<br />
+Dragoons. By Harry Castlemon. 16mo. Fully illustrated<br />
+Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 25</b></p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Marcy, the Blockade Runner</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+<p><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312"></a></p>
+
+
+
+<div class="figright"><img src="images/raggeddick.jpg" alt="Specimen Cover of the Ragged Dick Series." title="Specimen Cover of the Ragged Dick Series." /></div>
+<p><b>ALGER'S</b></p>
+
+<p><b>RENOWNED BOOKS.</b></p>
+
+<p><b>BY</b></p>
+
+<p><b>HORATIO</b></p>
+<p><b>ALGER, Jr.</b></p>
+
+<p>Horatio Alger, Jr., has attained distinction as one of the most popular
+writers of books for boys, and the following list comprises all of his
+best books.</p>
+
+<p>*<sub>*</sub>* Any volume sold separately.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>
+<b>RAGGED DICK SERIES.</b> By Horatio Alger,<br />
+Jr. 6 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra,<br />
+printed in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$7 50</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Ragged Dick;</b>&nbsp;or, Street Life in New York</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Fame and Fortune;</b>&nbsp;or, The Progress of Richard Hunter</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Mark, the Match Boy;</b>&nbsp;or, Richard Hunter's Ward</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Rough and Ready;</b>&nbsp;or, Life among the New York Newsboys</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Ben, the Luggage Boy;</b>&nbsp;or, Among the Wharves</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Rufus and Rose;</b> or the Fortunes of Rough and Ready</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b><br /></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p><b>TATTERED TOM SERIES.</b> (<span class="smcap">First Series.</span>)<br />
+By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated<br />
+Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>5 00</b></p>
+<p><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313"></a></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Tattered Tom;</b>&nbsp;or, The Story of a Street Arab</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Paul, the Peddler;</b>&nbsp;or, The Adventures of a Young</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Street Merchant</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Phil, the Fiddler;</b>&nbsp;or, The Young Street Musician</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Slow and Sure;</b>&nbsp;or, From the Sidewalk to the Shop</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>TATTERED TOM SERIES.</b> (<span class="smcap">Second Series.</span>)<br />
+4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed<br />
+in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$5 00</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Julius;</b>&nbsp;or the Street Boy Out West</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Young Outlaw;</b>&nbsp;or, Adrift in the World</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Sam's Chance and How He Improved It</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Telegraph Boy</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.</b> (<span class="smcap">First Series.</span>)<br />
+By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated<br />
+Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$5 00</b><br />
+</p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Luck and Pluck;</b>&nbsp;or John Oakley's Inheritance</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Sink or Swim;</b>&nbsp;or, Harry Raymond's Resolve</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Strong and Steady;</b>&nbsp;or, Paddle Your Own Canoe.</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Strive and Succeed;</b>&nbsp;or, The Progress of Walter Conrad</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.</b> (<span class="smcap">Second<br />
+Series.</span>) By Horatio Alger, Jr. 3 vols., 12mo.<br />
+Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In<br />
+box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$5 00</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Try and Trust;</b>&nbsp;or, The Story of a Bound Boy</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Bound to Rise;</b>&nbsp;or Harry Walton's Motto</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Risen from the Ranks;</b>&nbsp;or, Harry Walton's Success</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Herbert Carter's Legacy;</b>&nbsp;or, The Inventor's Son.</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>CAMPAIGN SERIES.</b> By Horatio Alger, Jr. 3<br />
+vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed<br />
+in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$3 75</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Frank's Campaign;</b>&nbsp;or, The Farm and the Camp</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Paul Prescott's Charge</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Charlie Codman's Cruise</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+<p><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314"></a></p>
+
+<p><b>BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.</b> By Horatio<br />
+Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,<br />
+extra, printed in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$5 00</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Brave and Bold;</b>&nbsp;or, The Story of a Factory Boy</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Jack's Ward;</b>&nbsp;or, The Boy Guardian</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Shifting for Himself;</b>&nbsp;or, Gilbert Greyson's Fortunes</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Wait and Hope;</b>&nbsp;or, Ben Bradford's Motto</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>PACIFIC SERIES.</b> By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4<br />
+vols. 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed<br />
+in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$5 00</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Young Adventurer;</b>&nbsp;or, Tom's Trip Across the Plains</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Young Miner;</b>&nbsp;or, Tom Nelson in California</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Young Explorer;</b>&nbsp;or, Among the Sierras</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Ben's Nugget;</b>&nbsp;or, A Boy's Search for Fortune. A</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Story of the Pacific Coast</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>ATLANTIC SERIES.</b> By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4<br />
+vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed<br />
+in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$5 00</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Young Circus Rider;</b>&nbsp;or, The Mystery of Robert Rudd</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Do and Dare;</b>&nbsp;or, A Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Hector's Inheritance;</b>&nbsp;or, Boys of Smith Institute</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Helping Himself;</b>&nbsp;or, Grant Thornton's Ambition</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>WAY TO SUCCESS SERIES.</b> By Horatio<br />
+Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,<br />
+extra, printed in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$5 00</b></p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Bob Burton</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Store Boy</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Luke Walton</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Struggling Upward</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>Five Hundred Dollars Legacy.</b> By Horatio<br />
+Alger, Jr. 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra,<br />
+printed in colors&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 25</b></p>
+<p><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315"></a></p>
+
+<div class="figright"><img src="images/wyomingseries.jpg" alt="Specimen Cover of the Wyoming Series." title="Specimen Cover of the Wyoming Series." /></div>
+<p><b>A<br />
+New Series<br />
+of Books.</b><br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>Indian Life<br />
+and<br />
+Character<br />
+Founded on<br />
+Historical<br />
+Facts.</b><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p><b>By Edward T. Ellis.</b></p>
+
+<p>*<sub>*</sub>* Any volume sold separately.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>
+<b>BOY PIONEER SERIES.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.<br />
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed<br />
+in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$3 75</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Ned in the Block House;</b>&nbsp;or, Life on the Frontier</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Ned in the Woods.</b>&nbsp;&nbsp;A Tale of the Early Days in the West</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Ned on the River</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>DEERFOOT SERIES.</b> By Edward S. Ellis. In<br />
+box containing the following. 3 vols., 12mo. Illustrated&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$3 75</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Hunters of the Ozark</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Camp in the Mountains</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Last War Trail</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>LOG CABIN SERIES.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.<br />
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed<br />
+in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$3 75</b></p>
+<p><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316"></a></p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Lost Trail</b></td><td align='left'><b>$1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Camp-Fire and Wigwam</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Footprints in the Forest</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><b>WYOMING SERIES.</b> By Edward S. Ellis. 3<br />
+vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed<br />
+in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$3 75</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Wyoming</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Storm Mountain</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Cabin in the Clearing</b></td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Through Forest and Fire.</b>By Edward S. Ellis.</td><td align='left'></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed in colors</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<h4>By C.A. Stephens.</h4>
+
+<p><b>Rare books for boys&mdash;bright, breezy, wholesome and instructive; full of
+adventure and incident, and information upon natural history. They blend
+instruction with amusement&mdash;contain much useful and valuable information
+upon the habits of animals, and plenty of adventure, fun and jollity.</b></p>
+
+<p>
+<b>CAMPING OUT SERIES.</b> By C.A. Stephens.<br />
+6 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed<br />
+in colors. In box&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$7 50</b></p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Camping Out.</b>&nbsp;&nbsp;As recorded by "Kit"</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Left on Labrador</b>; or The Cruise of the Schooner</td><td align='left'></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Yacht "Curfew." As recorded by "Wash"</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Off to the Geysers</b>; or, The Young Yachters in Iceland</td><td align='left'></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>As recorded by "Wade"</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Lynx Hunting.</b>&nbsp;&nbsp;From Notes by the author of "Camping Out"</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Fox Hunting.</b>As recorded by "Raed"</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>On the Amazon</b>; or, The Cruise of the "Rambler."</td><td align='left'></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>As recorded by "Wash"</td><td align='left'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<h4>By J.T. Trowbridge.</h4>
+<p>
+<b>These stories will rank among the best of Mr. Trowbridge's books for the
+young&mdash;and he has written some of the best of our juvenile literature.</b>
+</p>
+<p><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317"></a></p>
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>JACK HAZARD SERIES.</b> By J.T. Trowbridge. 6 vols.,<br /> 12mo.
+Fully Illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In box</td><td align='right' valign="bottom"><b>$7 50</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Jack Hazard and His Fortunes</b></td><td align='right'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>A Chance for Himself;</b>&nbsp;or, Jack Hazard and his Treasure</td><td align='right'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Doing His Best</b></td><td align='right'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Fast Friends</b></td><td align='right'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Young Surveyor;</b>&nbsp;or, Jack on the Prairies</td><td align='right'><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Lawrence's Adventures Among the Ice Cutters</b>
+<br />Glass Makers, Coal Miners, Iron Men and Ship Builders</td><td align='right' valign="bottom"><b>1 25</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<h4>&mdash;GOOD BOOKS&mdash;</h4>
+<p>
+<b>Suitable for Girls between the Ages of 12 and 15.</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Ways and Means.</b> A Story for girls. By Margaret<br />
+Vandegrift. With four illustrations. 12mo.<br />
+Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>The Queen's Body-Guard.</b> A Story for Girls. By<br />
+Margaret Vandegrift. With four illustrations. 12mo.<br />
+Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Rose Raymond's Wards.</b> A Story for Girls. By<br />
+Margaret Vandegrift. Illustrated with four engravings<br />
+on wood. 12mo. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Doris and Theodora.</b> A Story for Girls. By Margaret<br />
+Vandegrift. Illustrated with four engravings on<br />
+wood. 12mo. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Dr. Gilbert's Daughters.</b> A Story for Girls. By<br />
+Margaret Harriet Mathews. Illustrated with four engravings<br />
+on wood. 12mo. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Esther's Fortune.</b> A Romance for Girls. By Lucy<br />
+C. Lillie. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth, extra, brown<br />
+and gold&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Helen Glenn;</b> or, My Mother's Enemy. A Story for<br />
+Girls. By Lucy C. Lillie. Illustrated with eight illustrations<br />
+12mo. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>The Squire's Daughter.</b> By Lucy C. Lillie. 12mo.<br />
+Illustrated. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>For Honor's Sake.</b> By Lucy C. Lillie. 12mo.<br />
+Illustrated. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Marion Berkley.</b> A Story for Girls. By Lizzie B.<br />
+Comins (Laura Caxton). 12mo. Illustrated. Cloth,<br />
+extra, brown and gold&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 25</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Hartwell Farm.</b> A Story for Girls. By Lizzie B.<br />
+Comins (Laura Caxton). 12mo. Illustrated. Cloth,<br />
+extra, brown and gold&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 25</b><br />
+</p><p><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318"></a></p>
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+<p class="center">
+<b>THE HANDSOMEST AND CHEAPEST GIFT BOOKS.</b></p>
+<h3>The "Bells" Series.</h3>
+
+<p>The "BELLS" Series has been undertaken by the publishers with a view to
+issue original illustrated poems of a high character, at a price within
+the reach of all classes.</p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'>Small 4to. Cloth, gilt edges</td><td align='right'>$1 50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Ivory surface</td><td align='right'>1 50</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Embossed calf, gilt edges</td><td align='right'>1 50</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p class="center"><b>GEMS FROM TENNYSON.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">Alfred Tennyson.</span> Elegantly illustrated by Hammatt Billings.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>BEAUTIES OF TENNYSON.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">Alfred Tennyson.</span> Elegantly illustrated with twenty
+engravings, from original drawings by Frederic B. Schell. Beautifully
+printed on the finest plate paper.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>FROM GREENLAND'S ICY MOUNTAINS.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">Bishop Heber.</span> Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two
+engravings, from original drawings by Frederic B. Schell. Beautifully
+printed on the finest plate paper.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>LADY CLARE.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">Alfred Tennyson.</span> Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two
+engravings, from original drawings by Alfred Fredericks, F.S. Church,
+Harry Fenn, F.B. Schell, E.P. Garret and Granville Perkins. Beautifully
+printed on the finest plate paper.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">Clement C. Moore.</span> Never before has this popular poem&mdash;a
+favorite with both the old and the young&mdash;been presented in such a
+beautiful dress. It is elegantly illustrated with twenty-two engravings,
+from original drawings by F.B. Schell, W.T. Smedley, A. Fredericks and
+H.R. Poore.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>BINGEN ON THE RHINE.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">Caroline E. Norton.</span> Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two
+engravings, from original drawings by W.T. Smedley, F.B. Schell, A.
+Fredericks, Granville Perkins and E.P. Garrett.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>THE BELLS.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">Edgar Allan Poe.</span> Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two
+engravings, from original drawings by F.O.C. Darley, A. Fredericks,
+Granville Perkins and others.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>THE DESERTED VILLAGE.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">Oliver Goldsmith.</span> Elegantly illustrated with thirty-five
+engravings, from drawings by Hammatt Billings.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>THE COTTER'S SATURDAY NIGHT.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">Robert Burns.</span> Elegantly illustrated with fifty engravings,
+from drawings by Chapman.</p><p><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319"></a></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="Standard_Histories" id="Standard_Histories"></a><b>Standard Histories.</b></h2>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>
+<b>History of England, from the Accession of<br />
+James the Second.</b> By Thomas Babington<br />
+Macaulay. <i>Standard edition.</i> With a steel portrait<br />
+of the author. Printed from new electrotype plates<br />
+from the last English edition. Being by far the most<br />
+correct edition in the American market. 5 vols.,<br />
+12mo. Cloth, extra, per set&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$5 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Sheep, marbled edges, per set&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>7 50</b><br />
+<br />
+Half Russia (imitation), marbled edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>7 50</b><br />
+<br />
+Half calf, gilt                                           <b>10 00</b><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<b>History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman<br />
+Empire.</b> By Edward Gibbon. With notes by Rev.<br />
+H.H. Milman. <i>Standard edition.</i> To which is<br />
+added a complete Index of the work. A new edition<br />
+from entirely new stereotype plates. With portrait on<br />
+steel. 5 vols., 12mo. Cloth, extra, per set&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>5 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Sheep, marbled edges, per set&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>7 50</b><br />
+<br />
+Half Russia (imitation), marbled edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>7 50</b><br />
+<br />
+Half calf, gilt, per set&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>10 00</b><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<b>History of England, from the Invasion of<br />
+Julius C&aelig;sar to the Abdication of James<br />
+the Second, 1688.</b> By David Hume. <i>Standard<br />
+edition.</i> With the author's last corrections and improvements<br />
+to which is prefixed a short account of his<br />
+life, written by himself. With a portrait on steel. A<br />
+new edition from entirely new stereotype plates. 5<br />
+vols., 12mo. Cloth, extra, per set&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>5 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Sheep, marbled edges, per set&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>7 50</b><br />
+<br />
+Half Russia (imitation), marbled edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>7 50</b><br />
+<br />
+Half calf, gilt&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>10 00</b><br />
+</p><p><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320"></a></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="Miscellaneous" id="Miscellaneous"></a><b>Miscellaneous.</b></h2>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>
+<b>A Dictionary of the Bible.</b> Comprising its Antiquities<br />
+Biography, Geography, Natural History and<br />
+Literature. Edited by William Smith, LL.D. Revised<br />
+and adapted to the present use of Sunday-school<br />
+Teachers and Bible Students by Revs. F.N. and<br />
+M.A. Peloubet. With eight Colored maps and 440<br />
+engravings on wood. 8vo. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$2 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Sheep, marbled edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>3 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Half morocco, gilt top&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>3 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>History of the Civil War in America.</b> By the<br />
+Comte de Paris. Translated with the approval of the<br />
+author. With maps faithfully engraved from the originals<br />
+and printed in three colors. 8vo.<br />
+<br />
+Cloth, extra, per vol.&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>3 50</b><br />
+<br />
+Red cloth, extra, Roxburgh style, uncut edges, per vol.&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>3 50</b><br />
+<br />
+Sheep, library style, per vol.&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>4 50</b><br />
+<br />
+Half Turkey morocco, per vol.&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>6 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Volumes I, II, III and IV now ready, put up in a neat<br />
+box, or any volume sold separately.<br />
+<br />
+<b>The Battle of Gettysburg.</b> By the Comte de Paris.<br />
+With maps. 8vo. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Comprehensive Biographical Dictionary.</b> Embracing<br />
+accounts of the most eminent persons of all<br />
+ages, nations and professions. By E.A. Thomas.<br />
+Crown 8vo.<br />
+<br />
+Cloth, extra, gilt top&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>2 50</b><br />
+<br />
+Sheep, marbled edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>3 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Half morocco, gilt top&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>3 50</b><br />
+<br />
+Half Russia, gilt top&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>4 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>The Amateur Photographer.</b> A manual of photographic<br />
+manipulations intended especially for beginners<br />
+and amateurs, with suggestions as to the choice of<br />
+apparatus and of processes. By Ellerslie Wallace,<br />
+Jr., M.D. New edition, with two new chapters on<br />
+paper negatives and microscopic photography. 12mo.<br />
+Limp morocco, sprinkled edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 00</b><br />
+<br /><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321"></a>
+<b>Interest Tables.</b> Containing accurate calculations of<br />
+interest at 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 3-1/2, 4, 4-1/2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10<br />
+per cent. per annum, both simple and compound, on<br />
+all sums from $1.00 to $10.00, and from one day to six<br />
+years. Also some very valuable tables, calculated by<br />
+John E. Coffin. 8vo. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$1 00</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>England, Picturesque and Descriptive.</b> A<br />
+Reminiscence of Travel. By Joel Cook, author of<br />
+"A Holiday Tour in Europe," "Brief Summer Rambles"<br />
+etc. Elegantly illustrated with 487 engravings<br />
+on wood. 4to. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>7 50</b><br />
+<br />
+Half calf, gilt, marbled edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>10 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Half Morocco, full gilt edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>10 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Full Turkey morocco, gilt edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>15 00</b><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<b>The Waverley Novels.</b> By Sir Walter Scott, Bart.<br />
+23 vols.<br />
+<br />
+<i>Household Edition.</i> Illustrated. 12mo.</p>
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'>Cloth, extra, per set</td><td align='right'><b>23 00</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Half calf, gilt, per set</td><td align='right'><b>46 00</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Half morocco, gilt topsp</td><td align='right'><b>46 00</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>
+<i>Universe Edition.</i> Printed on thin paper, and containing<br />
+one illustration to the volume. 25 vols., 12mo.<br />
+<br />
+Cloth, extra, per vol.&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>75</b><br />
+<br />
+<i>World Edition.</i> 12 vols., thick 12mo.<br />
+<br />
+(Sold in sets only.) Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>18 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Half im't. Russia, marbled edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>24 00</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Captain Jack the Scout;</b> or, The Indian Wars<br />
+about Old Fort Duquesne. An Historical Novel, with<br />
+copious notes. By Charles McKnight. With eight<br />
+engravings. 12mo. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Ladies' and Gentlemen's Etiquette.</b> A Complete<br />
+Manual of the Manners and Dress of American<br />
+Society. Containing forms of Letters, Invitations, Acceptances<br />
+and Regrets. By E.B. Duffey. 12mo.<br />
+<br />
+Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>The Count of Monte Cristo.</b> By Alexandre<br />
+Dumas. Complete in one volume, with two illustrations<br />
+by George G. White. 12mo. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 25</b><br />
+<br /><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322"></a>
+<b>The Iliad of Homer Rendered into English<br />
+Blank Verse.</b> By Edward, Earl of Derby. With<br />
+a biographical sketch of Lord Derby by R. Shelton<br />
+Mackenzie, D.C.L. Popular edition. Two vols. in<br />
+one. 12mo.<br />
+<br />
+Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Ten Nights in a Bar Room and What I Saw<br />
+There.</b> By T.S. Arthur. Entirely new edition from<br />
+new electrotype plates. Illustrated. 12mo.<br />
+<br />
+Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 25</b><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<b>Jane Eyre.</b> By Charlotte Bront&eacute; (Currer Bell). New<br />
+Library Edition. With five illustrations by E.M.<br />
+Wimperis. 12mo. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 00</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Shirley.</b> By Charlotte Bront&eacute; (Currer Bell). New<br />
+Library Edition. With five illustrations by E.M.<br />
+Wimperis. 12mo. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 00</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Villette.</b> By Charlotte Bront&eacute; (Currer Bell). New<br />
+Library Edition. With five illustrations by E.M.<br />
+Wimperis. 12mo. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 00</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>The Professor</b>, <b>Emma</b> and <b>Poems</b>. By Charlotte<br />
+Bront&eacute; (Currer Bell). New Library Edition. With<br />
+five illustrations by E.M. Wimperis. 12mo.<br />
+<br />
+Cloth, extra, black and gold&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 00</b><br />
+<br />
+The four volumes, forming the complete works of Charlotte<br />
+Bront&eacute;, in a neat box.<br />
+<br />
+Cloth, extra, black and gold, per set&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>4 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Fancy cloth, paper label, gilt top, uncut edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>5 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Half calf, gilt, per set&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>8 00</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>History of Scotland.</b> (Tales of a Grandfather.)<br />
+By Sir Walter Scott. 3 vols., 12mo. Cloth, plain&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>3 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Half calf, gilt tops&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>6 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Half morocco, gilt tops&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>6 00</b><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<b>Tales of a Grandfather.</b> By Sir Walter Scott, Bart.<br />
+4 vols. Uniform with the Waverley Novels.<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<b>Household Edition.</b> Illustrated. 12mo.<br />
+<br />
+Cloth, extra, per vol.&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Sheep, marbled edges, per vol.&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+Half calf, gilt, marbled edges, per vol.&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>3 00</b><br />
+<br /><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323"></a>
+<b>Ten Thousand a Year.</b> By Samuel C. Warren,<br />
+author of "The Diary of a London Physician." A<br />
+new edition, carefully revised, with three illustrations<br />
+by George G. White. 12mo. Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>$1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>The Works of Flavius Josephus.</b> Comprising the<br />
+Antiquities of the Jews; a History of the Jewish Wars<br />
+and a Life of Flavius Josephus, written by himself.<br />
+Translated from the original Greek by William<br />
+Whiston, A.M. 8vo. Cloth, plain&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>2 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Sheep, marbled edges, library style&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>3 00</b><br />
+<br />
+Embossed leather, "new style"&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>3 50</b><br />
+<br />
+Morocco, gilt edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>5 00</b><br />
+<br />
+This is the largest type one volume edition published.<br />
+<br />
+<b>Stanley and the Congo.</b>&mdash;Explorations and Achievements<br />
+in the Wilds of Africa of Henry M. Stanley.<br />
+Also, a full description of his perilous descent, thrilling<br />
+adventures and late labors on the Congo River. Together<br />
+with an account of the expedition to the Central<br />
+Lake Regions, by Sir Samuel W. Baker, and the journey<br />
+across Africa in 1874-75, and the discoveries made by<br />
+Lieut. V.S. Cameron. By J.F. Packard, author of<br />
+"Young Folks' History of the United States," etc., etc.<br />
+Fully illustrated. 12mo.<br />
+<br />
+Cloth, extra, black and gold&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>Cookery from Experience.</b> A Practical Guide for<br />
+Housekeepers in the Preparation of Every-day Meals,<br />
+containing more than One Thousand Domestic Recipes,<br />
+mostly tested by Personal Experience, with Suggestions<br />
+for Meals, List of Meats and Vegetables in<br />
+Season, etc. By Mrs. Sara T. Paul. 12mo.<br />
+<br />
+Cloth, extra&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b><br />
+<br />
+<b>The Imitation of Christ.</b> By Thomas &agrave; Kempis.<br />
+New and best edition, from entirely new electrotype<br />
+plates, single column, large, clear type. 18mo.<br />
+</p>
+<p class="center">PLAIN EDITION, ROUND CORNERS.</p>
+<p>
+1. Cloth, extra, red edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>50</b><br />
+2. French seal, limp, gilt edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>75</b><br />
+3. Russia, limp, inlaid cross, red and gold edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>2 00</b><br />
+E. French morocco, padded, gilt edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 25</b><br />
+G. Polished, Persian calf, limp, red and gold edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 25</b><br />
+L. Persian calf, line pattern, limp, red and gold edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1 50</b></p>
+<p><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324"></a></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+<h3>The Fireside Encyclop&aelig;dia of Poetry</h3>
+<p class="center">COLLECTED AND ARRANGED<br />
+<b>By HENRY T. COATES.</b></p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p class='center'>27th edition, enlarged and thoroughly revised, and containing portraits
+of prominent American poets, with facsimiles of their handwriting.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<div class='left'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Miscellaneous">
+<tr><td align='left'>Imperial 8vo., cloth, extra, gilt side and edges</td><td align='right'><b>$5 00</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Half calf, gilt</td><td align='right'><b>7 50</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Half morocco, antique, gilt edges</td><td align='right'><b>7 50</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Turkey morocco, antique, full gilt edges</td><td align='right'><b>10 00</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Tree calf</td><td align='right'><b>12 00</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Plush, padded sides, nickel lettering</td><td align='right'><b>14 00</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>The remarkable success that has attended the publication of "The
+Fireside Encyclop&aelig;dia of Poetry"&mdash;26 editions having been printed&mdash;has
+induced the author to thoroughly revise it, and to make it in every way
+worthy of the high place it has attained. About one hundred and fifty
+new poems have been inserted, and the work now contains nearly fourteen
+hundred poems, representing four hundred and fifty authors, English and
+American. The work is now illustrated by finely-engraved portraits of
+many prominent poets, with their signatures and facsimiles of their
+handwriting.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<h3>The Children's Book of Poetry.</h3>
+
+<p class="center">Compiled by <span class="smcap">Henry T. Coates.</span></p>
+
+<p class="center">With nearly 200 illustrations. The most complete collection of poetry
+for children ever published. 4to.</p>
+
+<p>
+Cloth, extra, gilt edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>3 00</b><br />
+Full Turkey morocco, gilt edges&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>7 50</b><br />
+</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Through Forest and Fire, by Edward Ellis
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+</body>
+</html>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Through Forest and Fire, by Edward Ellis
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Through Forest and Fire
+       Wild-Woods Series No. 1
+
+Author: Edward Ellis
+
+Release Date: August 8, 2005 [EBook #16472]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THROUGH FOREST AND FIRE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Bethanne M. Simms, Janet Blenkinship and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Book Cover]
+
+
+
+_WILD-WOODS SERIES--No. 1._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "Heavenly Father! please take care of me," prayed
+Nellie.]
+
+
+THROUGH FOREST AND FIRE
+
+
+BY
+
+EDWARD S. ELLIS,
+
+AUTHOR OF "YOUNG PIONEER SERIES," "LOG CABIN
+SERIES," "DEERFOOT SERIES," "WYOMING
+SERIES," ETC., ETC.
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+PHILADELPHIA:
+PORTER & COATES.
+
+
+COPYRIGHT, 1891,
+
+BY
+
+PORTER & COATES.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+CHAPTER                                       PAGE
+
+    I.--NICK,                                    5
+
+   II.--SCHOOL DAYS,                            14
+
+  III.--A MATHEMATICAL DISCUSSION,              21
+
+   IV.--LOST,                                   29
+
+    V.--THE PARTY OF SEARCH,                    37
+
+   VI.--GROPING IN DARKNESS,                    47
+
+  VII.--AN ALARMING DISCOVERY,                  55
+
+ VIII.--STARTLING FOOTPRINTS,                   63
+
+   IX.--THE LITTLE WANDERER,                    69
+
+    X.--IN GREAT DANGER,                        79
+
+   XI.--"GOTT SEI DANK!"                        88
+
+  XII.--OMINOUS PREPARATIONS,                   96
+
+ XIII.--THE BEAR HUNTERS,                      103
+
+  XIV.--A RECRUIT,                             113
+
+   XV.--A SURPRISE,                            119
+
+  XVI.--THE DINNER IN THE WOODS,               126
+
+ XVII.--A TEST OF MARKSMANSHIP,                132
+
+XVIII.--A QUAIL,                               139
+
+  XIX.--AN UNEXPECTED LESSON,                  145
+
+   XX.--BOWSER PROVES HIMSELF OF SOME USE,     152
+
+  XXI.--FACE TO FACE,                          158
+
+ XXII.--THE "VACANT CHAIR,"                    165
+
+  XXIII.--HUNTING A BUCK,                      171
+
+   XXIV.--HUNTED BY A BUCK,                    176
+
+    XXV.--THE CAMP FIRE,                       183
+
+   XXVI.--AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK,                190
+
+  XXVII.--WAS IT A JOKE?                       196
+
+ XXVIII.--THE TRAIL OF THE BEAR,               205
+
+   XXIX.--"HELP! HELP!"                        209
+
+    XXX.--A FRIEND IN NEED,                    216
+
+   XXXI.--THE "DARK DAY" OF SEPTEMBER, 1881,   222
+
+ XXXII.--THE BURNING FOREST,                   231
+
+ XXXIII.--THROUGH THE FIRE,                    246
+
+  XXXIV.--CALLING IN VAIN,                     248
+
+   XXXV.--WHAT FRIGHTENED NELLIE,              257
+
+  XXXVI.--AN UNWELCOME PASSENGER,              266
+
+ XXXVII.--A BRAVE STRUGGLE,                    275
+
+XXXVIII.--BEAR AND FORBEAR,                    283
+
+  XXXIX.--CONCLUSION,                          292
+
+
+THROUGH FOREST AND FIRE;
+
+OR,
+
+"God Helps Them that Help Themselves."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+NICK.
+
+
+Nicholas Ribsam was a comical fellow from his earliest babyhood, and had
+an original way of doing almost everything he undertook.
+
+When he became big enough to sit on the porch of the humble little home,
+where he was born, and stare with his great round eyes at the world as
+it went by, that world, whether on horseback, in carriage, or on foot,
+was sure to smile at the funny-looking baby.
+
+Nick, although born in western Pennsylvania, was as thoroughly Dutch as
+if he had first opened his eyes on the banks of the Zuyder Zee, in the
+lowlands of Holland. His parents had come from that part of the world
+which has produced so many fine scholars and done so much for science
+and literature. They talked the language of the Fatherland, although
+they occasionally ventured on very broken English for the instruction of
+the boy and girl which heaven had given them.
+
+When Nick was a year old, he seemed as broad as he was long, and his
+round, red cheeks, big, honest eyes, and scanty hair, which stood out in
+every direction, always brought a smile to whomsoever looked at him.
+
+"That's the Dutchest baby I ever saw!" exclaimed a young man, who, as he
+threw back his head and laughed, expressed the opinion of about every
+one that stopped to admire the youngster.
+
+When we add that Nick was remarkably good natured, his popularity will
+be understood. Days and weeks passed without so much as a whimper being
+heard from him. If his mother forgot she was the owner of such a prize,
+and allowed him to remain on the porch until he was chilled through or
+half famished, she was pretty sure to find him smiling, when she
+suddenly awakened to her duties respecting the little fellow.
+
+Several times he tipped over and rolled off the porch, bumping his head
+against the stones. A hoarse cry instantly made known the calamity but
+by the time he was snatched up (often head downward) his face was
+illumined again by his enormous grin, even though the big teardrops
+stood on his cheeks.
+
+When he grew so as to be able to stand with the help of something which
+he could grasp, a board about a foot and a half high was placed across
+the lower part of the open door to prevent him getting outside.
+
+The first day fat little Nick was confronted with this obstruction he
+fell over it, out upon the porch. How he managed to do such a wonderful
+thing puzzled father and mother, who half believed some person or animal
+must have "boosted" him over; but, as there was no other person in sight
+and they did not own a dog, the explanation was not satisfactory.
+
+True, they had a big Maltese cat, but he was hardly strong enough, even
+if he had the disposition, to hoist a plump baby over such a gate, out
+of pure mischief.
+
+But the most remarkable thing took place the next week, when Nick not
+only fell out of the door and over the obstruction, but a few minutes
+later fell in again. In fact, it looked as if from that time forward
+Nick Ribsam's position was inverted almost as often as it was upright.
+
+"There's one thing I want my little boy to learn," said the father, as
+he took him on his knee and talked in the language of his Fatherland
+"and that is, 'God helps them that help themselves.' Don't ever forget
+it!"
+
+"Yaw, I ish not forgots him," replied the youngster, staring in the
+broad face of his parent, and essaying to make use of the little English
+he had picked up.
+
+The good father and mother acted on this principle from the beginning.
+When Nick lost his balance he was left to help himself up again; when he
+went bumping all the way down the front steps, halting a moment on each
+one, his father complacently smoked his long pipe and waited to see how
+the boy was going to get back, while the mother did not think it worth
+while to leave her household duties to look at the misfortunes of the
+lad.
+
+"God helps them that help themselves."
+
+There is a great deal in this expression, and the father of Master
+Nicholas Ribsam seemed to take in the whole far-reaching truth. "You
+must do everything you possibly can," he said, many a time; "you must
+use your teeth, your hands, and your feet to hang on; you must never let
+go; you must hammer away; you must always keep your powder dry; you must
+fight to the last breath, and all the time ask God to help you pull
+through, and _He'll do it!_"
+
+This was the creed of Gustav Ribsam and his wife, and it was the creed
+which the children drew in with their breath, as may be said; it was
+such a grand faith that caused Nick to develop into a sturdy,
+self-reliant, brave lad, who expected to take his own part in the battle
+of life without asking odds from any one.
+
+The parents of our hero and heroine proved their faith by their works.
+By hard, honest toil and economy, they had laid up a competence which
+was regularly invested each year, and of which the children were not
+allowed to know anything, lest it might make them lazy and unambitious.
+
+The little house and fifty acres were paid for, and the property was
+more than sufficient to meet the wants of the family, even after the
+youngsters became large enough to go to school.
+
+The morning on which young Nick Ribsam started for the country school, a
+half mile away, was one which he can never forget. He was six years old,
+and had picked up enough of the English language to make himself
+understood, though his accent was of that nature that it was sure to
+excite ridicule on the part of the thoughtless.
+
+As Nick had a large head, he wore of necessity a large cap, with a long
+frontispiece and with a button on the top. His coat was what is called a
+"roundabout," scarcely reaching to his waist, but it abounded with
+pockets, as did the vest which it partly inclosed. His trousers were
+coarse, thick, and comfortable, and his large boots were never touched
+by blacking, Nick's father having no belief in such nonsense, but
+sticking to tallow all the time.
+
+Nick carried a spelling book and slate under his arm, and, as he started
+off, any one looking at him would have been struck by his bright eyes,
+ruddy cheeks, and generally clean appearance. As he was so very good
+natured, he was certain to become quite an acquisition to the school.
+
+There are no more cruel, or perhaps thoughtless people in the world than
+a number of school-boys, under certain conditions. The peculiar dress
+and the broken language of little Nick excited laughter at once, and
+this soon turned into ridicule.
+
+Nick was beset continually at recess and at noon by the boys, who
+immediately christened him "Dutchy." He laughed and did not seem to mind
+it, for his philosophy was that no words applied to him could injure
+him, and so long as the boys kept their hands off he did not care.
+
+Among the pupils was Herbert Watrous, a spruce young gentleman from the
+city, who dressed better than the others, and who threw out hints about
+the sparring lessons he had taken at home, and his wish that he might
+soon have a chance to show his playmates how easily he could vanquish an
+opponent, much larger than himself, by reason of his "science."
+
+He was fully four years older than Nick, and much taller--a fact which
+Herbert regretted as the Pennsylvania Hollander was too insignificant
+for him to pick a quarrel with.
+
+But that was no reason, as he looked at his privileges in this life, why
+he should not play the tyrant and bully over the honest little fellow
+and he proceeded at once to make life unbearable to Nicholas.
+
+He began the cry of "Dutchy," and, finding that it did not disturb the
+serenity of the lad, he resorted to more active measures on the way home
+from school.
+
+He began by knocking off his hat, and when Nick looked at him in a
+surprised way and asked why he did it, the city youth assumed a
+pugilistic attitude and answered, "Greens; what are you going to do
+about it, Dutchy?"
+
+"Be careful of him," whispered one of the boys, who felt some sympathy
+for Nick in his persecutions; "he's _science_."
+
+"I don't care vat he ain't," replied Nick, beginning to lose his temper;
+"if he don't lets me be, he'll got into trouble."
+
+Just then Nick started to overtake a lad, who tapped him on the back and
+invited him to play a game of tag. As he passed close to Herbert, that
+boy threw out his foot and Nick went sprawling headlong, his book and
+slate flying from under his arm, while his cap shot a dozen-feet in
+another direction.
+
+The other boys broke into laughter, while several of the girls cried out
+that it was a shame.
+
+Nick picked himself up, and putting on his cap, turned about to ask
+Herbert what he meant by such cruelty, when he was confronted by the
+bully, who had thrown himself into his fancy pugilistic posture, and
+with one eye shut and his tongue thrust out, said:
+
+"What are you going to do about it, Dutchy?"
+
+"I'll show you vot I do!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+SCHOOL DAYS.
+
+
+Nicholas Ribsam proceeded to show Master Herbert Watrous what he meant
+to do about it.
+
+Paying no heed to the formidable attitude of the city youth, Nick rushed
+straight upon him, and embracing him about the waist so as to pinion his
+arms, he threw him flat upon the ground with great emphasis. Then, while
+Herbert lay on his face, vainly struggling to rise, Nick sat down
+heavily on his back. Although he could have used his fists with great
+effect, Nick declined to do so; but, rising some six or eight inches, he
+sat down on him again, and then repeated the performance very fast,
+bounding up and down as a man is sometimes seen to do when a horse is
+trotting; descending each time on the back of Herbert with such vigor
+that the breath was almost forced from his body.
+
+"Let me up!" shouted the victim, in a jerky, spasmodic manner, as the
+words were helped out; "that ain't the right way to fight: that isn't
+fair."
+
+"It suits me better as nefer vas," replied the grinning Nick, banging
+himself down on the back of the struggling Herbert, until the latter
+began to cry and ask the boys to pull Nick off.
+
+No one interfered, however, and when the conqueror thought he had
+flattened out the city youth to that extent that he would never acquire
+any plumpness again, he rose from his seat and allowed Herbert to climb
+upon his feet.
+
+Never was a boy more completely cowed than was this vaunting youth, on
+whom all the others had looked with such admiration and awe. He meekly
+picked up his hat, brushed off the dirt, and looking reproachfully at
+Nick said:
+
+"Do you know you broke two of my ribs?"
+
+"I dinks I brokes dem _all_: dat's what I meant to do; I will try him
+agin."
+
+"No, you won't!" exclaimed Herbert, darting off in a run too rapid for
+the short legs of Nick to equal.
+
+Nick Ribsam had conquered a peace, and from that time forth he suffered
+no persecution at school. Master Herbert soon after went back to his
+city home, wondering how it was that a small, dumpy lad, four years
+younger than he, was able to vanquish him so completely when all the
+science was on the side of the elder youth.
+
+Young as was Nick Ribsam, there was not a boy in the school who dared
+attempt to play the bully over him. The display he had given of his
+prowess won the respect of all.
+
+Besides this he proved to be an unusually bright scholar. He dropped his
+faulty accent with astonishing rapidity, and gained knowledge with great
+facility. His teacher liked him, as did all the boys and girls, and when
+he was occasionally absent he was missed more than half a dozen other
+lads would have been.
+
+The next year Nick brought his sister Nellie to school. He came down the
+road, holding her fat little hand in his, while her bright eyes peered
+out from under her plain but odd-looking hat in a timid way, which
+showed at the same time how great her confidence was in her big brother.
+
+Nellie looked as much like Nick as a sister can look like a brother.
+There were the same ruddy cheeks, bright eyes, sturdy health, and
+cleanly appearance. Her gingham pantalettes came a little nearer the
+tops of her shoes, perhaps than was necessary, but the dress, with the
+waist directly under the arms, would have been considered in the height
+of fashion in late years.
+
+One daring lad ventured to laugh at Nellie, and ask her whether she had
+on her father's or mother's shoes, but when Nick heard of it he told the
+boy that he would "sit down" on any one that said anything wrong to
+Nellie. Nothing of the kind was ever hinted to the girl again. No one
+wished to be "sat down" on by the Pennsylvania Hollander who banged the
+breath so utterly from the body of the city youth who had aroused his
+wrath.
+
+The common sense, sturdy frame, sound health, and mental strength of the
+parents were inherited in as marked a degree by the daughter Nellie as
+by Nick. She showed a quickness of perception greater than that of her
+brother; but, as is generally the case, the boy was more profound and
+far-reaching in his thoughts.
+
+After Nick had done his chores in the evening and Nellie was through
+helping her mother, Gustav, the father, was accustomed to light his
+long-handled pipe, and, as he slowly puffed it while sitting in his
+chair by the hearth, he looked across to his boy, who sat with his slate
+and pencil in hand, preparing for the morrow. Carefully watching the
+studious lad for a few minutes, he generally asked a series of
+questions:
+
+"Nicholas, did you knowed your lessons to-day?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Did you know efery one dot you knowed?"
+
+"Yes, sir,--every one," answered Nick respectfully, with a quiet smile
+over his father's odd questions and sentences. The old gentleman could
+never correct or improve his accent, while Nick, at the age of ten,
+spoke so accurately that his looks were all that showed he was the child
+of German parents.
+
+"Did nopody gif you helps on der lessons?"
+
+"Nobody at all."
+
+"Dot is right; did you help anypodies?"
+
+"Yes, sir,--three or four of the girls and some of the boys asked me to
+give them a lift--"
+
+"Gif dem _vat_?"
+
+"A lift--that is, I helped them."
+
+"Dot ish all right, but don't let me hears dot nopody vos efer helping
+_you_; if I does--"
+
+And taking his pipe from his mouth, Mr. Ribsam shook his head in a way
+which threatened dreadful things.
+
+Then the old gentleman would continue smoking a while longer, and more
+than likely, just as Nick was in the midst of some intricate problem, he
+would suddenly pronounce his name. The boy would look up instantly, all
+attention.
+
+"Hef you been into any fights mit nopodies to-day?"
+
+"I have not, sir; I have not had any trouble like that for a long
+while."
+
+"Dot is right--dot is right; but, Nick, if you does get into such bad
+tings as fightin', don't ax nopodies to help you; _takes care mit
+yorself!_"
+
+The lad modestly answered that he did not remember when he had failed to
+take care of himself under such circumstances, and the father resumed
+his pipe and brown study.
+
+The honest German may not have been right in every point of his creed,
+but in the main he was correct, his purpose being to implant in his
+children a sturdy self-reliance. They could not hope to get along at all
+times without leaning upon others, but that boy who never forgets that
+God has given him a mind, a body, certain faculties and infinite powers,
+with the intention that he should cultivate and use them to the highest
+point, is the one who is sure to win in the great battle of life.
+
+Then, too, every person is liable to be overtaken by some great
+emergency which calls out all the capacities of his nature, and it is
+then that false teaching and training prove fatal, while he who has
+learned to develop the divine capacities within him comes off more than
+conqueror.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A MATHEMATICAL DISCUSSION.
+
+
+The elder Ribsam took several puffs from his pipe, his eyes fixed
+dreamily on the fire, as though in deep meditation. His wife sat in her
+chair on the other side, and was busy with her knitting, while perhaps
+her thoughts were wandering away to that loved Fatherland which she had
+left so many years before, never to see again. Nellie had grown sleepy
+and gone to bed.
+
+Mr. Ribsam turned his head and looked at Nick. The boy was seated close
+to the lamp on the table, and the scratching of his pencil on his slate
+and his glances at the slip of paper lying on the stand, with the
+problems written upon it, told plainly enough what occupied his
+thoughts.
+
+"Nicholas," said the father.
+
+"Just one minute, please," replied the lad, glancing hastily up: "I am
+on the last of the problems that Mr. Layton gave us for this week, and
+I have it almost finished."
+
+The protest of the boy was so respectful that the father resumed his
+smoking and waited until Nick laid his slate on the table and wheeled
+his chair around.
+
+"There, father, I am through."
+
+"Read owed loud dot sum von you shoost don't do."
+
+"Mr. Layton gave a dozen original problems as he called them, to our
+class to-day, and we have a week in which to solve them. I like that
+kind of work, and so I kept at it this evening until I finished them
+all."
+
+"You vos sure dot you ain't right, Nicholas, eh?"
+
+"I have proved every one of them. Oh, you asked me to read the last one!
+When Mr. Layton read that we all laughed because it was so simple, but
+when you come to study it it isn't so simple as you would think. It is
+this: If New York has fifty per cent. more population than Philadelphia,
+what per cent. has Philadelphia less than New York?"
+
+Mr. Ribsam's shoulders went up and down, and he shook like a bowl of
+jelly. He seemed to be overcome by the simplicity of the problem over
+which his son had been racking his brains.
+
+"Dot makes me laughs. Yaw, yaw, yaw!"
+
+"If you will sit down and figure on it you won't laugh quite so hard,"
+said Nick, amused by the jollity of his father, which brought a smile to
+his mother; "what is your answer?"
+
+"If I hafs feefty tollar more don you hafs, how mooch less tollar don't
+you hafs don I hafs? Yaw, yaw, yaw!"
+
+"_That_ is plain enough," said Nick sturdily "but if you mean to say
+that the answer to the problem I gave you is fifty per cent., you are
+wrong."
+
+"Oxplains how dot ain't," said Mr. Ribsam, suddenly becoming serious.
+
+The mother was also interested, and looked smilingly toward her bright
+son. Like every mother, her sympathies went out to him. When Nick told
+his father that he was in error, the mother felt a thrill of delight;
+she wanted Nick to get the better of her husband, much as she loved
+both, and you and I can't blame her.
+
+Nick leaned back in his chair, shoved his hands into his pockets, and
+looked smilingly at his father and his pipe as he said:
+
+"Suppose, to illustrate, that Philadelphia has just one hundred people.
+Then, if New York has fifty per cent. more, it must have one hundred and
+fifty people as its population; that is correct, is it not, father?"
+
+Mr. Ribsam took another puff or two, as if to make sure that his boy was
+not leading him into a trap, and then he solemnly nodded his head.
+
+"Dot ish so,--dot am,--yaw."
+
+"Then if Philadelphia has one hundred people for its population, New
+York has one hundred and fifty?"
+
+"Yaw, and Pheelatelphy has feefty per cent. less--yaw, yaw, yaw!"
+
+"Hold on, father,--not so fast. I'm teacher just now, and you mustn't
+run ahead of me. If you will notice in this problem the per cent. in the
+first part is based on Philadelphia's population, while in the second
+part it is based on the population of New York, and since the
+population of the two cities is different, the per cent. cannot be the
+same."
+
+"How dot is?" asked Mr. Ribsam, showing eager interest in the reasoning
+of the boy.
+
+"We have agreed, to begin with, that the population of Philadelphia is
+one hundred and of New York one hundred and fifty. Now, how many people
+will have to be subtracted from New York's population to make it the
+same as Philadelphia?"
+
+"Feefty,--vot I says."
+
+"And fifty is what part of one hundred and fifty,--that is, what part of
+the population of New York?"
+
+"It vos one thirds."
+
+"And one third of anything is thirty-three and one third per cent. of
+it, which is the correct answer to the problem."
+
+Mr. Ribsam held his pipe suspended in one hand while he stared with open
+mouth into the smiling face of his son, as though he did not quite grasp
+his reasoning.
+
+"Vot you don't laughs at?" he said, turning sharply toward his wife, who
+had resumed her knitting and was dropping many a stitch because of the
+mirth, which shook her as vigorously as it stirred her husband a few
+minutes before.
+
+"I laughs ven some folks dinks dey ain't shmarter don dey vosn't all te
+vile, don't it?"
+
+And stopping her knitting she threw back her head and laughed
+unrestrainedly. Her husband hastily shoved the stem of his pipe between
+his lips, sunk lower down in the chair, and smoked so hard that his head
+soon became almost invisible in the vapor.
+
+By-and-by he roused himself and asked Nick to begin with the first
+problem and reason out the result he obtained with each one in turn.
+
+Nick did so, and on the last but one his parent tripped him. A few
+pointed questions showed the boy that he was wrong. Then the hearty
+"Yaw, yaw, yaw!" of the father rang out, and looking at the solemn
+visage of his wife, he asked:
+
+"Vy you don't laughs now, eh? Yaw, yaw, yaw!"
+
+The wife meekly answered that she did not see anything to cause mirth,
+though Nick proved that he did.
+
+Not only that, but the son became satisfied from the quickness with
+which his father detected his error, and the keen reasoning he gave,
+that he purposely went wrong on the first problem read to him with the
+object of testing the youngster.
+
+Finally, he asked him whether such was not the case. Many persons in the
+place of Mr. Ribsam would have been tempted to fib, because almost every
+one will admit any charge sooner than that of ignorance; but the
+Dutchman considered lying one of the meanest vices of which a man can be
+guilty. Like all of his countrymen, he had received a good school
+education at home, besides which his mind possessed a natural
+mathematical bent. He said he caught the answer to the question the
+minute it was asked him, and, although Mr. Layton may not have seen it
+before, Mr. Ribsam had met and conquered similar ones when he was a boy.
+
+While he persistently refused to show Nick how to solve some of the
+intricate problems brought home, yet when the son, after hours of
+labor, was still all abroad, his father would ask him a question or two
+so skillfully framed that the bright boy was quick to detect their
+bearing on the subject over which he was puzzling his brain. The
+parent's query was like the lantern's flash which shows the ladder for
+which a man is groping.
+
+The task of the evening being finished, Mr. Ribsam tested his boy with a
+number of problems that were new to him. Most of them were in the nature
+of puzzles, with a "catch" hidden somewhere. Nick could not give the
+right answer in every instance, but he did so in a majority of cases; so
+often, indeed, that his father did a rare thing,--he complimented his
+skill and ability.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+LOST.
+
+
+It was two miles from the home of Mr. Ribsam to the little stone
+school-house where his children were receiving their education. A short
+distance from the dwelling a branch road turned off to the left, which,
+being followed nine miles or so, mostly through woods, brought one to
+the little country town of Dunbarton.
+
+Between the home of Gustav Ribsam and the school-house were only two
+dwellings. The first, on the left, belonged to Mr. Marston, whose land
+adjoined that of the Hollander, while the second was beyond the fork of
+the roads and was owned by Mr. Kilgore, who lived a long distance back
+from the highway.
+
+Nick Ribsam, as he grew in years and strength, became more valuable to
+his father, who found it necessary, now and then, to keep him home from
+school. This, however, did not happen frequently, for the parents were
+anxious that their children should receive a good school education, and
+Nick's readiness enabled him to recover, very quickly, the ground thus
+lost.
+
+There was not so much need of Nellie, and, when at the age of six she
+began her attendance, she rarely missed a day. If it was stormy she was
+bundled up warmly, and, occasionally, she was taken in the carriage when
+the weather was too severe for walking.
+
+The summer was gone when Nick helped harness the roan mare to the
+carriage, and, driving down to the forks, let Nellie out, and kept on
+toward Dunbarton, while the little girl continued ahead in the direction
+of the school-house.
+
+"I've got to stay there so long," said Nick, in bidding his sister
+good-by, "that I won't be here much before four o'clock, so I will look
+out for you and you can look out for me and I'll take you home."
+
+Nellie said she would not forget, and walked cheerfully up the road,
+singing a school song to herself.
+
+The little girl, when early enough, stopped at the house of Mr.
+Marston, whose girl Lizzie attended school. This morning, however, when
+Nick called from the road, he was told that Lizzie had been gone some
+time, so he drove on without her.
+
+The dwelling of Mr. Kilgore stood so far back that Nellie never could
+spare the time to walk up the long lane and back again, but she
+contented herself with peering up the tree-lined avenue in quest of
+Sallie and Bobby Kilgore.
+
+However, they were also invisible, and so it was that Nellie made the
+rest of the journey alone.
+
+The distance being so considerable, Nellie and Nick always carried their
+dinners with them, so that, after their departure in the morning, the
+parents did not expect to see them again until between four and five in
+the afternoon.
+
+The roan mare was young and spirited, but not vicious, and the boy had
+no trouble in controlling her.
+
+When half way through the stretch of woods they crossed a bridge, whose
+planks rattled so loudly under the wheels and hoofs that the animal
+showed a disposition to rear and plunge over the narrow railing at the
+side.
+
+But the boy used his whip so vigorously that he quickly tamed the beast,
+which was not slow to understand that her master was holding the reins.
+
+When Nick was on such journeys as these, he generally carried his
+father's watch, so as to "make his connections" better. The timepiece
+was of great size and thickness, having been made somewhere in England a
+good many years before. It ticked so loudly that it sounded like a
+cricket, and would have betrayed any person in an ordinary sized room,
+when there was no unusual noise. Nick's own handsome watch was too
+valuable for him to carry.
+
+The former was so heavy that it seemed to Nick, when walking with it,
+that he went in a one-sided fashion. However, the lad was quite proud of
+it, and perhaps took it out oftener than was necessary, especially when
+he saw the eyes of others upon him.
+
+Nick was kept in Dunbarton so long by the many errands he had to
+perform, that he was fully an hour late in starting. The mare was
+spirited enough to make up this time, if urged, but there was no need of
+doing so, and the boy knew his father would prefer him not to push the
+animal when no urgency existed.
+
+Thus it came about that when Nick re-entered the main highway that
+afternoon, and looked in the direction of the school-house, he saw
+nothing of Nellie, nor indeed of any one coming from the school.
+
+"She has gone home long ago," was his conclusion, as he allowed the mare
+to drop into a brisk trot, which speedily took him to his house.
+
+When Nick had put away the horse and rendered up his account of the
+errands done, he was surprised to learn that Nellie had not yet
+appeared.
+
+"I cannot understand what keeps her," said the father, in his native
+tongue; "she was never so late before."
+
+It was plain from the mother's face and manner that she also was
+anxious, for she frequently went to the gate, and, shading her eyes,
+looked long and anxiously down the road, hoping that the figure of the
+little girl would come to view, with some explanation of the cause for
+her delay.
+
+But the sun was low in the west, and its slanting rays brought to light
+the figure of no child hurrying homeward. The single object that was
+mistaken for the loved one proved to be a man on horseback, who turned
+off at the forks and vanished.
+
+"Nick, go look for your sister," said his mother, as she came back from
+one of these visits to the gate; "something has happened."
+
+The boy was glad of the order, for he was on the point of asking
+permission to hunt for Nellie.
+
+"I'll stay till I find out something," said Nick, as he donned his hat
+and took a general look over himself to see that he was in shape, "so
+don't worry about _me_."
+
+"But you ought not to be gone so long," said the father, whose anxious
+face showed that he was debating whether he should not join his boy in
+the search, "for it won't take long to find out where Nellie is."
+
+"I think she has been taken sick and has stopped with some of the
+neighbors," ventured the mother, "but it is strange they do not send me
+word."
+
+And it was the very fact that such word was not sent that prevented the
+husband and son from believing in the theory of the distressed mother.
+
+But Nick did not let the grass grow under his feet. His worriment was as
+great as that of his parents, and as soon as he was in the road he broke
+into a trot, which he kept up until beyond sight, both father and mother
+standing at the gate and watching him until he faded from view in the
+gathering twilight.
+
+The point where he disappeared was beyond the house of Mr. Marston, so
+it was safe to conclude he had learned nothing of his sister there,
+where he was seen to halt.
+
+There is nothing more wearisome than waiting in such suspense as came to
+the hearts of the father and mother, while they sat watching and
+listening for the sound of the childish footsteps and voices whose music
+would have been the sweetest on earth to them.
+
+The supper on the table remained untasted, and the only sounds heard
+were the solemn ticking of the old clock, the soft rustling of the
+kettle on the stove, and now and then a long drawn sigh from father or
+mother, as one strove to utter a comforting word to the other.
+
+All at once the gate was opened and shut hastily. Then a hurried step
+sounded along the short walk and upon the porch.
+
+"There they are! there they are!" exclaimed the mother, starting to her
+feet, as did the father.
+
+Almost on the same instant the door was thrown open, and, panting and
+excited, Nick Ribsam entered.
+
+But he was alone, and the expression of his face showed that he had
+brought bad news.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE PARTY OF SEARCH.
+
+
+When Nick Ribsam set out to find his missing sister Nellie, he made the
+search as thorough as possible.
+
+The first house at which he stopped was that of Mr. Marston, which, it
+will be remembered, was only a short distance away from his own home.
+There, to his disappointment, he learned that their little girl had not
+been at school that day, and consequently they could tell him nothing.
+
+Without waiting longer than to give a few words of explanation he
+resumed his trot, and soon after turned into the lane leading to the
+home of Mr. Kilgore. He found that both Bobby and Sallie had been to
+school, but they had nothing to tell. When we are more than usually
+anxious to learn something, it seems that every one whom we meet is
+stupid beyond endurance. If we are in a strange place and apply for
+information, the ignorance of nearly every person is exasperating.
+
+Bobby and Sallie remembered seeing Nellie in school during the forenoon
+and afternoon, but, while the boy insisted that she came along the road
+with them after dismissal, Sallie was just as positive that the missing
+girl was not with them.
+
+The party of school children which usually went over the highway was so
+small in number that it is hard to understand how such a mistake could
+be made, but the difference between Bobby and Sallie was irreconcilable.
+
+"I _know_ she didn't come home with us," said Sallie, stamping her foot
+to give emphasis to the words.
+
+"And I _know_ she did," declared Bobby, equally emphatically, "for me
+and her played tag."
+
+"Why don't you say she and I played tag?" asked Nick, impatient with
+both the children.
+
+"'Cause it was me and her," insisted Bobby.
+
+"What a dunce-head!" exclaimed his sister; "that was _last_ night when
+you played tag, and you tumbled over into the ditch and bellered like
+the big baby you are."
+
+"I remember that he did that last night," said Nick, hoping to help the
+two to settle the dispute.
+
+"I know I done that last night, but this afternoon I done it too. I fall
+into the ditch every night and beller; I do it on purpose to fool them
+that are chasing me."
+
+Nick found he could gain nothing; but he believed the sister was right
+and the brother wrong, as afterward proved to be the case.
+
+There were no more houses between his own home and the school building,
+and Nick resumed his dog trot, never halting until he came in front of a
+little whitewashed cottage just beyond the stone school-house.
+
+The latter stood at the cross roads, and the cottage to the left was
+where the teacher, Mr. Layton, an old bachelor, lived with his two
+maiden sisters.
+
+Mr. Layton, although strict to severity in the school-room, was a
+kind-hearted man and was fond of the Ribsam children, for they were
+bright, cheerful, and obedient, and never gave him any trouble, as did
+some of his other pupils. He listened to Nick's story, and his sympathy
+was aroused at once.
+
+"I am very sorry," said he, "that your good father and mother, not to
+mention yourself, should be so sorely troubled; but I hope this is not
+serious. Nellie came to me about three o'clock and asked whether I would
+let her go home."
+
+"Was she sick?" asked the distressed brother.
+
+"Not at all; but she said you had gone to Dunbarton in your carriage and
+she wanted to meet you coming back. She knew her lessons perfectly, and
+Nellie is such a good girl that I felt that I could not refuse so simple
+a request. So I told her she could go. I saw her start homeward with her
+lunch-basket in one hand and her two school-books in the other. She
+stepped off so briskly and was in such cheerful spirits that I stood at
+the window and watched her until she passed around the bend in the
+road."
+
+Nick felt his heart sink within him, for the words of the teacher had
+let in a great deal of alarming truth upon him.
+
+Nellie had reached the forks two hours ahead of him, and then, not
+wishing to sit down and wait, she had started up the road in the
+direction of Dunbarton to meet him. She must have entered the eight mile
+stretch of woods from the south about the same time Nick himself drove
+into it on his return from Dunbarton.
+
+The two should have met near Shark Creek, but neither had seen the
+other. Nick, as a matter of course, had kept to the road, but what had
+become of Nellie?
+
+This was the question the lad put to himself, and which caused him to
+feel so faint that he sank down in a chair unable to speak for a minute
+or two. Then, when he tried to do so, he had to stop, and was kept busy
+swallowing the lump that would rise in his throat, until finally the
+tears suddenly appeared, and, putting his hands to his eyes, he gave way
+to his grief.
+
+"There, there," said Mr. Layton soothingly, "don't cry, Nick, for it
+will do no good. Nellie has strayed off in the woods to gather flowers
+or perhaps wild grapes and has missed her way."
+
+"She--is--lost--poor--Nellie!" said the lad as best he could between his
+sobs; "we'll never see her again."
+
+"Oh, it isn't as bad as that! I suppose she has grown weary, and,
+sitting down to rest, has fallen asleep."
+
+If the good teacher meant this to soothe the lad, it had the contrary
+effect, for the picture of his little sister wandering alone in the
+woods was one of the most dreadful that could be imagined, and it took
+all the manhood of his nature to keep from breaking down again.
+
+While the interview was under way, Mr. Layton was busy changing his
+slippers for his boots, his wrapper for his coat, and his hat was donned
+just as he spoke the last words.
+
+His sympathy did not expend itself in talk, but the instant he saw what
+the trouble was he was eager to do all he could to help his suffering
+friends. He even reproached himself for having given Nellie permission
+to meet her brother, though no matter what harm may have befallen her,
+no one could blame her instructor therefor.
+
+"We must hunt for her," said Mr. Layton, when he was ready to go out; "I
+will tell my sisters they need not be alarmed over my absence, and I
+guess I will take the lantern with me."
+
+Nick passed out to the front gate, where he waited a minute for the
+teacher, until he should speak with his friends and get the lantern
+ready. When he came forth, the boy felt much like the patient who sees
+the surgeon take out his instruments and try their edge to make sure
+they are in condition before using upon him.
+
+The sight of the lantern in the hand of Mr. Layton gave such emphasis to
+the danger that it caused another quick throb of Nick's heart, but he
+forced it down as the two started back over the road, toward the
+school-house.
+
+"There is no need of lighting the lantern until we get to the woods,"
+said the teacher, "for we don't need it, and I hope we won't need it
+after we reach the forest. Poor Nellie! she will feel dreadfully
+frightened, when she wakes up in the dark forest."
+
+He regretted the words, for the two or three sobs that escaped the
+brother, before he could master himself, showed that his heart was
+swelled nigh to bursting.
+
+The night was mild and pleasant, although a little too chilly for any
+one to sleep out of doors. The moon was gibbous, and only a few white,
+feathery clouds now and then drifted across its face. Where there was no
+shadow, one could see for a hundred yards or so with considerable
+distinctness--that is, enough to recognize the figure of a man in
+motion.
+
+Opposite the lane leading to the house of Mr. Kilgore, the teacher
+stopped.
+
+"I will go in and get him to join us," said Mr. Layton; "and you had
+better hurry home for your father. On your way back, stop for Mr.
+Marston; that will give us a pretty large party. If when you reach the
+forks you do not find us there, don't wait, but hurry on toward
+Dunbarton; you will meet us before you reach the bridge over Shark
+Creek."
+
+Nick did as told, and, still on a rapid trot, reached home panting and
+excited, with the story which the reader has just learned.
+
+Mr. Ribsam threw down his pipe, donned his hat and coat, and started out
+the door. With his hand on the latch, he paused, and, looking back,
+commanded his voice so as to say:
+
+"Katrina, you and Nick needn't wait up for me."
+
+"Oh, father," pleaded the lad, moving toward him: "would you make me
+stay at home when Nellie is lost?"
+
+"No, no--I did not think," answered the parent, in a confused way; "I
+feel so bad I do not know what I do and say. Katrina, don't feel too
+bad; we will come back as soon as we can."
+
+Again the half distracted father placed his hand on the latch, and he
+had drawn the door partly open, when his wife, pale and trembling,
+called out in a voice of touching pathos:
+
+"Gustav, my heart would break should I try to stay here, when no one but
+God knows where my darling Nellie is; but, wherever she may be, no
+sorrow or pain or suffering can come to her that her mother will not
+share, and may our Heavenly Father let her mother take it all upon her
+own shoulders!"
+
+"Come on, Katrina; come on and bring the lantern with you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+GROPING IN DARKNESS.
+
+
+When the parents and brother of Nellie Ribsam reached the forks a few
+minutes later, they saw nothing of the three parties whom they expected
+to meet there.
+
+"They have gone on to the woods to look for Nellie," said the father.
+
+"They cannot be far off," suggested Nick, turning to the left.
+
+All were too anxious to lose a minute, and they started after their
+friends on a rapid walk, Nick taking the lead, and now and then dropping
+into a loping trot, which he would have increased had he been alone.
+
+A chill seemed to settle over all as they reached the deep shadow of the
+woods, which was one of the largest tracts of forest in that section of
+the country.
+
+The road which bisected them was fully eight miles in length, as has
+already been stated, while the forest was much greater in extent in the
+other direction.
+
+Being of such large area, there were necessarily many portions which
+rarely if ever were visited by hunters. Years before an occasional deer
+had been shot, and a few of the old settlers told of the thrilling bear
+hunts they had enjoyed when they were not so very much younger than now.
+
+Those who were capable of judging were certain that if the gloomy depths
+were explored these dreaded animals would be met; but if such were the
+fact, the beasts were so few in number that no one gave them a thought.
+
+It was now four miles to Shark Creek, and, by common consent, it was
+agreed that the missing Nellie must be found, if found at all, before
+reaching the stream.
+
+As this creek was deep enough to drown any person who could not swim,
+not to mention the large pond into which it emptied, every one of the
+searchers felt a vague, awful dread that poor Nellie had fallen into the
+water.
+
+No one spoke of it, but the thought was there all the same.
+
+Shortly after entering the wood, Nick called attention to two star-like
+points of light twinkling ahead of them.
+
+"They are the lanterns of Mr. Layton and Kilgore," said Nick, who
+immediately added, "we forgot to stop and get Mr. Marston."
+
+"That is too bad, but it isn't worth while to go back now," replied his
+father, hardly slackening his gait.
+
+As the lantern which Mrs. Ribsam had handed to her husband was lighted
+before leaving home, the men in advance detected it immediately after
+they were seen themselves, and the halloo of the teacher was answered by
+Nick.
+
+"Have you found anything of Nellie?" asked the mother, in broken
+English, as soon as the parties came together.
+
+"It could scarcely be expected," answered the instructor, in a kindly
+voice; "we have just got here, and have only looked along the road. I
+have little doubt that she is soundly sleeping somewhere not far off."
+
+While all stood still, the father lifted up his voice, and in clear,
+penetrating tones called the name of his missing child:
+
+"Nellie!"
+
+The ticking of the big watch in the pocket of Nick was plainly heard as
+the little company awaited the answering call of the child.
+
+But it came not, and three times more was the name of the missing girl
+repeated by the father, who broke down completely the last time.
+
+Nick now joined his thumb and finger against the end of his tongue, and
+emitted a blast like that of a steam whistle. It resounded among the
+trees, and then followed the same oppressive stillness as before.
+
+It was useless to remain where they were any longer, and, without a
+word, the five moved on. The three lamps were swung above their heads,
+and they peered into the gloomy depths on the right and left.
+
+Nick, as might have been expected, kept the advance, and his father
+allowed him to carry the lantern. As the other lights were behind the
+lad, the latter saw his huge shadow continually dancing in front and
+taking all manner of grotesque shapes, while, if the others had looked
+to the rear, they would have seen the same spectacle, as it affected
+their own figures.
+
+"Wait!" suddenly called out the father, who was now obliged to use his
+broken English, "mebbe my Nellie she does hears me."
+
+Thereupon he called to her as before, Nick ending the appeal with an
+ear-splitting whistle, which must have been heard several miles on such
+a still night.
+
+Not the slightest result followed, and with heavy hearts the little
+company moved on again.
+
+"I think," said Mr. Layton, "that she has turned aside, where, possibly,
+some faint path has caught her eye, and it may be that we may discover
+the spot."
+
+"Let's look here!"
+
+It was the mother who spoke this time, and, as they turned toward her,
+she was seen bending over the ground at the side of the highway, where
+something had arrested her attention.
+
+Instantly all the lanterns were clustered about the spot, and it was
+seen that the eyes of affection had detected just such a place as that
+named by the teacher. Persons who walked along the road were accustomed
+to turn aside into the woods, and the five now did the same, moving
+slowly, with the lanterns held close to the earth, and then swung aloft,
+while all eyes were peering into the portions penetrated by the yellow
+rays.
+
+The path was followed some fifty yards, when, to the disappointment of
+all, it came back to the road: it was one of those whimsical footways
+often met in the country, the person who started it having left the
+highway without any real reason for doing so.
+
+Again the name of the missing Nellie was repeated, and again the woods
+sent back nothing but the echo.
+
+"Hark!"
+
+It was the quick-eared Nick who spoke, just as the hum of conversation
+began, and all listened.
+
+As they did so the rattle of wheels was heard coming from the direction
+of Dunbarton. The peculiar noise enabled the friends to recognize it as
+made by a heavy, lumbering farmer's wagon. The team was proceeding on a
+walk.
+
+A few minutes later some one shouted:
+
+"Halloo, there! what's the matter?"
+
+The voice was recognized as that of Mr. Marston, whom they intended to
+ask to join them.
+
+Instantly a hope was aroused that he might be able to tell them
+something of Nellie. Mr. Layton called back, saying they were friends,
+and asking whether the farmer had seen anything of Nellie Ribsam.
+
+At this Mr. Marston whipped up his horses, which were showing some fear
+of the twinkling lanterns, and halted when opposite to the party of
+searchers.
+
+"My gracious! is she lost?" asked the good man, forgetting the anguish
+of his friends in his own curiosity.
+
+"Yes, she started up this road this afternoon toward Dunbarton to meet
+her brother, who was returning, but, somehow or other, missed him, and
+we are all anxious about her."
+
+"My gracious alive! I should think you would be: it would drive my wife
+and me crazy if our Lizzie should be lost in the woods."
+
+"I suppose, from the way you talk," continued the teacher, "that you
+have seen nothing of her?"
+
+"No, I wish I had, for I tell you these woods are a bad place for a
+little girl to get lost in. Last March, when we had an inch of snow on
+the ground, I seen tracks that I knowed was made by a bear, and a mighty
+big one, too, and--"
+
+But just then a half-smothered moan from the mother warned the
+thoughtless neighbor that he was giving anything but comfort to the
+afflicted parents.
+
+"I beg pardon," he hastened to say, in an awkward attempt to apologize;
+"come to think, I am sure that it wasn't a bear, but some big dog; you
+know a large dog makes tracks which can be mistook very easy for those
+of a bear. I'll hurry on home and put up my team and git the lantern and
+come back and help you."
+
+And Mr. Marston, who meant well, whipped up his horses, and his wagon
+rattled down the road as he hastened homeward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+AN ALARMING DISCOVERY.
+
+
+By this time the searching party began to realize the difficulties in
+the path of their success.
+
+If, as was believed, or rather hoped, Nellie had fallen asleep in the
+woods, they were liable to pass within a dozen feet of where she lay
+without discovering the fact. Should they call to her, or should Nick
+emit his resounding signal whistle, she might be awakened, provided only
+such a brief space separated them, but the chances were scarcely one in
+a thousand that they would be so fortunate.
+
+This view, at the worst, was a favorable one, and behind it rose the
+phantoms that caused all to shudder with a dread which they dared not
+utter.
+
+Only a short distance farther they came upon another path which diverged
+from the side of the road, returning a little ways beyond. There, an
+unusually careful search was made, and Nick almost split his cheeks in
+his efforts to send his penetrating whistle throughout the surrounding
+country. The three men also called out the name of Nellie in their
+loudest tones, but nothing except the hollow echoes came back to them.
+
+Nick examined the face of his father's watch by the light of the lantern
+he carried, and saw that it lacked but a few minutes of nine. They had
+been searching for the lost child, as this proved, for nearly two hours.
+
+"It seems to me," said Mr. Layton, as the party came to a halt, "that we
+are not likely to accomplish anything by hunting in this aimless
+fashion."
+
+"What better can we do?" asked Mr. Kilgore.
+
+"Thus far we have been forced to confine ourselves to the road,
+excepting when we diverge a few feet: this renders our work about the
+same as if done by a single person. What I propose, therefore, is that
+we separate."
+
+"How will that help us?"
+
+"It may not, but we shall cover three or four times the amount of space
+(I judge Mrs. Ribsam would prefer to remain with her husband and son on
+account of the single lantern), and it follows that some one of us must
+pass closer to the spot where Nellie is lying."
+
+This seemed a sensible suggestion, and the two men turned to the
+afflicted father to learn what he thought of it.
+
+He shook his head.
+
+"Not yet,--not yet; we goes a leetle furder."
+
+Nothing was added by way of explanation, and yet even little Nick knew
+why he had protested: he wished that all might keep together until they
+reached the creek. If nothing was learned of his child there, then he
+would follow the plan of the teacher.
+
+But something seemed to whisper to the parent that the place where they
+would gain tidings of little Nellie was near that dark, flowing water,
+which, like such streams, seemed to be always reaching out for some one
+to strangle in its depths.
+
+"Perhaps Mr. Ribsam is right," said the teacher, after a silence which
+was oppressive even though brief; "we will keep each other's company,
+for it is lonely work tramping through the woods, where there is no
+beaten path to follow."
+
+Thereupon the strange procession resumed its march toward the distant
+town of Dunbarton, pausing at short intervals to call and signal to the
+missing one.
+
+It was a vast relief to all that the weather continued so mild and
+pleasant. In the earlier part of the day there were some signs of an
+approaching storm, but the signs had vanished and the night was one of
+the most pleasant seen in September.
+
+Had the rain begun to fall, or had the temperature lowered, the mother
+would have been distracted, for nothing could have lessened the pangs
+caused by her knowledge that her darling one was suffering. The true
+mother lives for her children, and their joys and sorrows are hers.
+
+Whenever the wind rustled among the branches around them she shuddered
+and instinctively drew her own shawl closer about her shoulder; she
+would have given a year's toil could she have wrapped the thick woolen
+garment about the tiny form of her loved one, who never seemed so dear
+to her as then.
+
+"Gustav," she whispered, twitching his elbow, "I want to speak one word
+to you."
+
+"Speak out; they cannot understand us," he answered, alluding to the
+fact that they were using their own language.
+
+"Yes, but I don't want Nick to know what I say."
+
+The husband thereupon fell back beside her, and in a tremulous voice she
+said:
+
+"Do you remember when Nellie was three years old?"
+
+"Of course I remember further back than that: why do you ask?"
+
+"When she had the fever and was getting well?"
+
+"Yes, I cannot forget it; poor girl, her cheeks were so hot I could
+almost light a match by them; but, thank God, she got over it."
+
+"You remember, Gustav, how cross she was and how hard it was to please
+her?"
+
+"But that was because she was sick; when she was well, then she laughed
+all the time, just like Nick when he don't feel bad."
+
+"But--but," and there was an unmistakable tremor in the voice, "one day
+when she was cross she asked for a drink of water; Nick was sitting in
+the room and jumped up and brought it to her, but she was so out of
+humor she shook her head and would not take it from him; she was
+determined I should hand it to her. I thought she was unreasonable and I
+told Nick to set it on the bureau, and I let Nellie know she shouldn't
+have it unless she took it from him; I meant that I wouldn't hand it to
+her and thereby humor her impatience. She cried, but she was too
+stubborn to give in, and I refused to hand her the water. Nick felt so
+bad he left the room, and I was sorry; but Nellie was getting well, and
+I was resolved to be firm with her. She was very thirsty, for her fever
+was a terrible one. I was tired and dropped into a doze. By-and-by I
+heard Nellie's bare feet pattering on the floor, and softly opening my
+eyes, without stirring I saw her walk hastily to the bureau, catch hold
+of the tumbler and she drank every drop of water in it. She was so weak
+and dizzy that she staggered back and threw herself on the bed like one
+almost dead. The next day she was worse, and we thought we were going to
+lose her. You saw how hard I cried, but most of my tears were caused by
+the remembrance of my cruelty to her the night before."
+
+"But, Katrina, you did right," said the father, who heard the affecting
+incident for the first time. "It won't do to humor children so much: it
+will spoil them."
+
+"That may be, but I cannot help thinking of that all the time; it would
+have done no harm to humor Nellie that time, for she was a good girl."
+
+"You speak truth, but--"
+
+The poor father, who tried so bravely to keep up, broke down and was
+unable to speak. The story touched him as much as it did the mother.
+
+"Never mind, Katrina--"
+
+At that moment Nick called out:
+
+"Here's the bridge!"
+
+The structure loomed through the gloom as it was dimly lighted by the
+lanterns, and all walked rapidly forward until they stood upon the rough
+planking.
+
+Suddenly the mother uttered a cry, and stooping down snatched up
+something from the ground close to the planks.
+
+The startled friends looked affrightedly toward her, and saw that she
+held the lunch basket of her little daughter in her hand.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+STARTLING FOOTPRINTS.
+
+
+On the very edge of the bridge over Shark Creek, the mother of Nellie
+Ribsam picked up the lunch basket which her daughter had taken to school
+that morning. It lay on its side, with the snowy napkin partly out, and
+within it was a piece of brown bread which the parent had spread with
+golden butter, and which was partly eaten.
+
+No wonder the afflicted woman uttered a half-suppressed scream when she
+picked up what seemed a memento of her dead child.
+
+While the lanterns were held in a circle around the basket, which the
+father took from his wife, Mr. Ribsam lifted the piece of bread in his
+hand. There were the prints made by the strong white teeth of little
+Nellie, and there was not a dry eye when all gazed upon the food, which
+the father softly returned to the basket and reverently covered with the
+napkin.
+
+No one ventured to speak, but the thoughts of all were the same.
+
+Stepping to the railing at the side of the bridge Mr. Layton held his
+lantern over, Nick and Mr. Kilgore immediately doing the same. The rays
+extended right and left and far enough downward to reach the stream,
+which could be seen, dark and quiet, flowing beneath and away through
+the woods to the big pond, a quarter of a mile below.
+
+In the oppressive stillness the soft rustling of the water was heard as
+it eddied about a small root which grew out from the shore, and a tiny
+fish, which may have been attracted by the yellow rays, leaped a few
+inches above the surface and fell back with a splash which startled
+those who were peering over the railing of the structure.
+
+The trees grew close to the water's edge, and as the trunks were dimly
+revealed they looked as if they were keeping watch over the deep creek
+that flowed between.
+
+The five were now searching for that which they did not wish to find;
+they dreaded, with an unspeakable dread, the sight of the white face
+turned upward, with the abundant hair floating about the dimpled
+shoulders.
+
+Thank heaven, that sight was spared them; nothing of the kind was seen,
+and a sigh escaped from each.
+
+"We are all tortured by the thought that Nellie has fallen into the
+creek and been drowned," said the teacher; "but I cannot see any grounds
+for such fear."
+
+The yearning looks of the parents and brother caused the teacher to
+explain more fully.
+
+"No child, unless a very stupid one, would stumble from this bridge, and
+there could have been no circumstances which in my judgment would have
+brought such a mishap to Nellie."
+
+This sounded reasonable enough, but:
+
+"De basket,--vot of dot?" asked the father.
+
+"She has dropped that from some cause; but that of itself is a favorable
+sign, for had she fallen accidentally into the water she would have
+taken it with her."
+
+This sounded as if true, but it did not remove the fears of any one.
+Even he who uttered the words could not bring himself fully to believe
+in their truth, for none knew better than he that the evil one himself
+seems to conspire with guns and pistols that appear to be unloaded, and
+with water which is thought to be harmless.
+
+All wanted to place faith in the declaration, and no protest was
+uttered. As nothing was to be seen or learned where they stood, they
+crossed the bridge and descended the wooded slope until they reached the
+edge of the stream, which wound its way through the woods to the big
+pond.
+
+Every heart was throbbing painfully and no one spoke: there was no need
+of it, for no comfort could be gained therefrom.
+
+Mr. Layton and Kilgore moved carefully up the creek, while Nick and his
+parents walked toward the pond, which lay to the left.
+
+The two wished to be apart from the others that they might consult
+without danger of being overheard by those whose hearts were suffering
+so much anguish.
+
+"It's very strange," said Mr. Kilgore, "that the basket should be found
+on the bridge: what do you make of it, Mr. Layton?"
+
+The teacher shook his head.
+
+"It is strange, indeed; had there been no water in the creek you could
+have set it down as certain that the child had not fallen from it, but,
+as she could not have done so without drowning, I am inclined to
+think--"
+
+The instructor hesitated, as if afraid to pronounce the dreadful words.
+
+"You think she is drowned?" said his friend, supplying the answer with
+his own question.
+
+Mr. Layton nodded his head by way of reply, and, holding the lanterns in
+front, they began groping their way along the margin of the creek.
+
+By raising the lights above their heads the rays reached the opposite
+bank, lighting up the water between. This was unusually clear, and they
+could see the bottom some distance from shore.
+
+Both felt that if the body was floating anywhere they could not fail to
+see it, though the probabilities were that it was already far below
+them, and would be first discovered by the parents and brother.
+
+"Halloa!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. Layton, lowering his lantern close to
+the ground, "I don't like _that_."
+
+By way of explanation, he pointed to the damp soil where no vegetation
+grew: it was directly in front and close to the water, being that
+portion which was frequently swept by the creek when above its present
+level.
+
+Parallel to the stream, for a distance of several rods or so, were a
+number of imprints in the yielding earth, which the first glance showed
+were made by some large animal.
+
+"It must have been a dog," ventured the teacher, who had little
+practical knowledge of the animals of the wood.
+
+Mr. Kilgore shook his head.
+
+"It was a bear; there can be no mistake about it. Mr. Marston was right;
+it was the track of a similar animal which he saw last March."
+
+"You are not mistaken, Mr. Kilgore?"
+
+The farmer answered impatiently:
+
+"I have hunted bears too often to be mistaken; I can tell their trail
+among a hundred others, and the one which went along here a little while
+ago was one of the largest of his kind."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE LITTLE WANDERER.
+
+
+Although Nellie Ribsam was only eight years old at the time she was lost
+in the big woods, yet the results of the training received from her
+sensible father and mother showed themselves in a marked degree on that
+memorable occasion.
+
+She had been taught, as was her brother, that under heaven she must rely
+upon herself to get forward in the world. Nick was rarely if ever
+allowed to extend her a helping hand in her lessons, and she was given
+to understand that whatever was possible for her to do must be done
+without the aid of any one.
+
+As for sitting down and crying when in trouble, without making any
+effort to help herself, she knew better than to try that when either her
+father or mother were likely to find it out.
+
+Her intention, when she left school that afternoon before the session
+closed, was to keep on in the direction of Dunbarton until she met Nick
+returning.
+
+She turned off at the forks, and did not lessen her gait until she
+reached the woods. Her rapid walking caused her to feel quite warm, and
+the cool shade of the woods was refreshing.
+
+She began wandering aimlessly forward, swinging her hat in her hand,
+singing snatches of school songs, and feeling just as happy as a little
+girl can feel who is in bounding health, high spirits, and without an
+accusing conscience.
+
+It was not the time of year for flowers, and Nellie knew better than to
+look for any. They had drooped and died long ago; but some of the leaves
+were turning on the trees, and they gave a peculiar beauty to the
+autumnal forest.
+
+At intervals she caught sight of the cleanly, symmetrical maple, with
+some of its leaves turning a fiery red and looking like flecks of flame
+through the intervening vegetation. At the least rustling of the wind
+some of the leaves came fluttering downward as lightly as flakes of
+snow; the little brown squirrel scampered up the shaggy trunks and out
+upon the limbs, where, perching on his hind legs, he peeped
+mischievously down at the girl, as if inviting her to play hide-and-seek
+with him; now and then a rabbit, fat and awkward from his gluttony on
+the richness around him, jumped softly a few steps, then munched rapidly
+with his jaws, flapped his long silken ears, looked slyly around with
+his big, pretty eyes, and, as the girl made a rush toward him, he was
+off like a shot.
+
+The woods were fragrant with ripening grapes and decaying vegetation,
+and were putting on a garb whose flaming splendor surpassed the hues of
+spring.
+
+Indeed, everything conspired to win a boy or girl away from study or
+work, and to cause the wish on the part of both that they might be a
+bird or squirrel, with no thought of the responsibilities of life.
+
+Nellie Ribsam forgot for the time everything else except her own
+enjoyment; but by-and-by the woods took on such tempting looks that she
+turned off from the highway she had been following, with the intention
+of taking a stroll, which she meant should not lead her out of sight of
+the road.
+
+The first view which stopped her was that of a large vine of wild
+grapes.
+
+Some of them were green, some turning, while others were a dark purple,
+showing they were fully ripe: the last, as a matter of course, were at
+the top.
+
+These wild grapes were small and tart, inferior to those which grew in
+the yard of Nellie at home; but they seemed to be trying to hide in the
+woods, and they were hard to get, therefore they were more to be desired
+than the choicest Catawba, Isabella, or Concord.
+
+The main vine, where it started from the ground, was as thick as a man's
+wrist, and it twisted and wound about an oak sapling as if it were a
+great African constrictor seeking to strangle the young tree. Other
+vines branched out from the sides until not only was the particular
+sapling enfolded and smothered, but the greedy vine reached out and
+grasped others growing near it.
+
+Nellie felt like the fox who found the grapes more tempting the longer
+he looked at them.
+
+"I'm going to have some of them," she said, and straightway proceeded to
+help herself.
+
+She climbed as readily as Nick himself could have done, and never
+stopped until she was so high that the sapling bent far over with her
+weight. Then she reached out her chubby hand and plucked a cluster of
+the wild fruit. They were about the size of buckshot, and when her sound
+teeth shut down on them, the juice was so sour that she shut both eyes
+and felt a twinge at the crown of her head as though she had taken a
+sniff of the spirits of ammonia.
+
+But the grapes were none the less delicious for all that; the fact that
+there seemed to be something forbidden about them added a flavor that
+nothing else could give.
+
+Nellie had managed to crush a handful of the vinegar-like globules, when
+she caught sight of another vine deeper in the woods. It was much larger
+and climbed fully a dozen yards from the ground, winding in and out
+among the limbs of a ridgy beech, which seemed to be forever struggling
+upward to get away from the smothering embrace of the vegetable python.
+
+Five minutes later, Nellie was clambering upward like a monkey, never
+pausing until the bending tree-top warned her that if she went any
+higher it would yield to her weight.
+
+Nellie disposed of one bunch and that was enough: she concluded that she
+was not very hungry for grapes and, without eating or even gathering
+more, she devoted herself to another kind of enjoyment.
+
+Standing with one foot on a limb and the other on one near it, she
+grasped a branch above her and began swaying back and forth, with the
+vim and abandon of a child in a patent swing.
+
+The tree bent far over as she swung outward, then straightened up and
+inclined the other way as her weight passed over to that side. Any one
+looking at the picture would have said that a general smash and giving
+away were certain, in which case the girl was sure to go spinning
+through the limbs and branches, as though driven forth by the springs
+within the big gun which fling the young lady outward just as the
+showman touches off some powder.
+
+But a green sapling is very elastic, and, although the one climbed by
+Nellie bent back and forth like a bow, it did not give way. Her hair
+streamed from her head, and there was a thrilling feeling as the wind
+whistled by her ears, and she seemed to be shooting like a bird through
+space.
+
+All this was well enough, and it was no more than natural that Nellie
+should have forgotten several important facts: she was so far from the
+highway that she could not see any one passing over it; the rush of the
+wind in her ears shut out sounds that otherwise would have been noticed,
+and she had gone so far and had lingered so long by the way that it was
+time to look for Nick on his return from Dunbarton, even though he was
+later than he expected to be.
+
+It was while she was swinging in this wild fashion that her brother
+drove by on his way home, without either suspecting how close they were
+to each other.
+
+Nellie displayed a natural, childish thoughtlessness by keeping up this
+sport for a half hour longer, when she came down to the ground, simply
+because she was tired of the amusement.
+
+Although out of sight of the road she managed to find her way back to it
+without trouble. With her lunch basket in hand, she continued in the
+direction of Dunbarton, taking several mouthfuls of the bread which had
+been left over at noon.
+
+In this aimless manner she strolled forward, stopping now and then to
+look at the squirrel or rabbit or the yellow-hued warbler, the noisy and
+swift-flying finch, the russet-coated thrush, or dark brown and mottled
+woodpecker, as his head rattled against the bark of the tree trunks,
+into which he bored in quest of worms.
+
+The first real surprise of the girl came when she reached the bridge.
+This proved that she was more than four miles from home, a distance much
+greater than she had suspected.
+
+"Where can Nick be?" she asked herself, never once thinking that they
+might have missed each other when she was swinging in the tree-top. It
+struck her that the day was nearly gone, for she noticed the gathering
+twilight diffusing itself through the forest.
+
+"I don't think I will go any farther," she said; "Nick will be along
+pretty soon, and I'll wait here for him."
+
+Standing on the bridge and looking down the road and listening for the
+sound of the carriage wheels were tiresome to one of Nellie's active
+habits, and it was not long before she broke off some of the bread, set
+down her lunch basket, and then dropped some crumbs into the water.
+
+As they struck the surface, sending out little rings toward the shore,
+several tiny fish came up after the food. Nellie laughed outright, and,
+in her eagerness, was careless of how she threw the crumbs, most of
+which fell upon the bank.
+
+It occurred to her that she could do better by going down to the edge of
+the stream, where she would not mistake her aim.
+
+Childlike, she did not pause to think of the wrong of so doing, for she
+ought to have known that her parents never would have consented to such
+an act.
+
+Just there, Nellie, like many another little girl, made a great mistake.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+IN GREAT DANGER.
+
+
+A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of
+the moment. Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and
+threw some crumbs out upon the surface. In the clear water she could see
+the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at
+the morsels.
+
+She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the
+bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in
+her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch
+basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
+
+"It's a bother to carry the basket with me," she said to herself; "I had
+to leave it on the ground when I was after grapes, so I'll wait till
+Nick comes, and then I'll call to him. Won't he be scared when he sees
+me down here!"
+
+From where she stood, she observed the bridge above her head, and
+consequently Nick could look directly down upon her whenever he should
+reach the structure.
+
+Nellie felt that she would like to go on down the creek to the big pond
+into which it emptied; but she knew better than to do that, for she
+would be certain to miss her big brother, and it was already beginning
+to grow dark around her.
+
+"I wonder what makes Nick so long," she said to herself, as she sat down
+on a fallen tree; "I'm so tired that I never can walk the four miles
+home."
+
+She had sat thus only a brief while, when her head began to droop; her
+bright eyes grew dull, then closed, and leaning against a limb which put
+out from the fallen tree, on which she was sitting, she sank into the
+sweet, dreamless sleep of childhood and health.
+
+Had she not been disturbed she would not have wakened until the sun
+rose, but at the end of an hour, an involuntary movement of the head
+caused it to slip off the limb against which it was resting with such a
+shock that instantly she was as wide awake as though it was mid-day.
+
+Ah, but when she sprang to her feet and stared about her in the gloom
+she was dreadfully alarmed!
+
+She was quick-witted enough to understand where she was and how it had
+all come about. The gibbous moon was directly overhead, and shone down
+upon her with unobstructed fullness.
+
+"Nick has gone over the bridge while I was asleep," was her instant
+conclusion; "and father and mother will be worried about me."
+
+Her decision as to what she should do could not but be the one
+thing--that was to climb back up the bank to the bridge, cross it, and
+hurry homeward.
+
+There was a little throbbing of the heart, when she reflected that she
+had several miles to travel, most of which was through the gloomy woods;
+but there was no hesitation on the part of Nellie, who, but for the
+sturdy teaching of her parents, would have crouched down beside the log
+and sobbed in terror until she sank into slumber through sheer
+exhaustion.
+
+"I have been a bad girl," she said to herself, as she reflected on her
+thoughtlessness; "and mother will whip me, for I know she ought to; and
+mother always does what she ought to do."
+
+There was no room for doubt in the mind of the child, for she understood
+the nature of her parents as well as any child could understand that of
+its guardian.
+
+Nellie was some distance below the point where the bridge spanned the
+creek, but she could see the dim outlines of the structure as she
+started toward it. It seemed higher than usual, but that was because the
+circumstances were different from any in which she had ever been placed.
+
+The little one was making her way as best she could along the stream in
+the direction of the bridge, when she was frightened almost out of her
+senses by hearing a loud, sniffing growl from some point just ahead of
+her.
+
+It was a sound that would have startled the bravest man, and Nellie was
+transfixed for the moment. She did not turn and run, nor did she sink in
+a swoon to the ground, but she stood just where she had stopped, until
+she could find out what it meant.
+
+She was not kept long in waiting, for in less than a minute the noise
+was repeated, and at the same moment she caught the outlines of a huge
+black bear swinging along toward her. He was coming down the bed of the
+creek, with his awkward, ponderous tread, and when seen by Nellie was
+within fifty feet of her.
+
+When it is remembered that he was of unusual size and proceeding
+straight toward the child, it seems impossible that she should have done
+anything at all to help herself. The sight was enough to deprive her of
+the power of motion and speech.
+
+But it was in such a crisis as this that little Nellie Ribsam showed
+that she had not forgotten the teaching of her parents: "God helps them
+that help themselves."
+
+With scarcely a second's pause, she whirled on her heel and dashed down
+the stream with the utmost speed at her command.
+
+The bear could not have failed to see her, though it is not to be
+supposed that he was looking for the little girl when he first came
+that way. Furthermore, had the chase lasted several minutes Nellie must
+have fallen a victim to the savage animal.
+
+It required no instruction to teach her that there was but one way in
+which she could escape, and that was by climbing a tree. Had there been
+a large one near at hand she would have ascended that as quickly as
+possible; but, fortunately, the first one to which she fled was a
+sapling, no larger than those she had climbed during the afternoon, and
+no one could have clambered to the highest point attainable quicker than
+did the frightened little girl.
+
+Had she been a veteran hunter, Nellie could not have made a better
+selection, for she was fully twenty feet from the ground, and as much
+beyond the reach of the bear as though she were in her trundle-bed at
+home.
+
+But the position was a frightful one to her, and for several minutes she
+believed the animal would tear the tree down and destroy her.
+
+"I have done all I can for myself," she murmured, recalling the
+instruction of her parents, "and now God will do the rest."
+
+Beautiful, trusting faith of childhood! Of such, indeed, is the kingdom
+of heaven.
+
+The huge bear, which from some cause or other had ventured from the
+recesses of the wood, was but a short distance behind the little
+wanderer when she climbed so hastily beyond his reach. He acted as
+though he was somewhat bewildered by the unusual scene of a small child
+fleeing from him, but nothing is so tempting to pursuit as the sight of
+some one running from us, and the brute galloped after Nellie with an
+evident determination to capture her, if the thing could be done.
+
+When he found the child had eluded him for the time, he sat down on his
+haunches and looked upward, as though he intended to wait till she would
+be compelled to descend and surrender herself.
+
+The small tree in which Nellie had taken refuge was several yards from
+the edge of the stream, the bank sloping so steeply that the water never
+reached the base, excepting during a freshet.
+
+It was a chestnut, whose smooth bark rendered it all the more difficult
+to climb, but Nellie went up it as rapidly as a man ascends telegraph
+poles with the spikes strapped to his boots.
+
+The bear clawed the bark a little while, as a cat is sometimes seen to
+do when "stretching" herself, and it was during these few minutes that
+the girl thought nothing could save her from falling into his clutches.
+
+When he ceased, she peered downward through the branches, and could just
+see the massy animal near the base of the tree, as if asking himself
+what was the next best thing to do.
+
+It will be admitted that the situation of Nellie Ribsam was one in which
+few children of her tender years are ever placed. Happy it is, indeed,
+that it is so, for what one in a thousand would have retained her
+self-possession?
+
+In explanation, it may be doubted indeed whether Nellie fully
+comprehended her peril. Had she been older, her consternation,
+doubtless, would have been greater, as the emotion she showed some years
+later, when placed in great danger, would seem to prove.
+
+But there was one fact of which she was firmly convinced: she had
+complied with her father's instructions, for, as has been shown, she put
+forth every possible exertion to save herself, and now she called on
+Heaven to assist her.
+
+Perched in the top of the tree, with the enormous bear sitting beneath
+and looking hungrily upward, she prayed:
+
+"Heavenly Father, please take care of me and don't let that big bear
+catch me; don't let papa and mamma feel too bad, and please make the bad
+bear go away and let me alone."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+"GOTT SEI DANK!"
+
+
+The prayer of little Nellie Ribsam--so far as it related to herself--was
+answered.
+
+She secured her seat, as best she could, in the branches of the chestnut
+sapling, and, by arranging her dress and the yielding limbs with
+considerable skill, she made herself quite comfortable.
+
+The trying situation in which she was placed, it would be thought, was
+enough to drive away all disposition to sleep, but at the end of less
+than half an hour the little head was nodding again, and, forgetful of
+her peril, her senses soon left her.
+
+It will be understood that the danger of the young wanderer was rendered
+all the greater by this loss of consciousness, for her muscles would
+relax in slumber, and, unless her position was unusually secure, she was
+certain to fall.
+
+But that gracious Father in whom she so implicitly trusted watched over
+the little one, and she remained as though seated in the broad
+rocking-chair at home.
+
+When at last she moved slightly and was on the point of losing her
+balance, she awoke so quickly that she saved herself just in the nick of
+time.
+
+She was shocked and startled, but regaining her breath she held fast
+with one hand while she parted the branches with the other and carefully
+peered down among the limbs.
+
+"He is gone!" was her joyous exclamation; "I knew the Lord would make
+him go away, because I asked him to."
+
+She was right: the bear had vanished, and all danger from that source
+for the time had passed.
+
+The brute probably found enough to eat without waiting for little girls
+to fall into his clutches. As he had never been known to trouble any one
+in the neighborhood, it was reasonable to believe that he got all he
+wanted without venturing away from the depths of the woods, and rousing
+an ill-will against himself that would speedily result in his
+destruction.
+
+Nellie did not feel surprised at all, for, as I have shown, she had the
+faith to believe that her prayer would be answered.
+
+"Now I will go down to the ground and start for home. I guess the bear
+isn't far off, but the Lord will not let him hurt me."
+
+She carefully descended the tree and stood on the ground a minute later.
+She found that her dress was torn and she had lost part of the ribbon
+from her hat. This troubled her more than anything else, for her frugal
+mother had told her many a time that she must take the best care of her
+clothing.
+
+"I was so scared that I forgot to look out," she said to herself, after
+taking an inventory of the damages; "but I guess mother will excuse me
+for losing the ribbon, though I know she won't for coming so far into
+the woods without permission."
+
+She now set out resolutely for the bridge, determined to lose no more
+time in reaching home. As is the rule, the brief space she had passed in
+sleep seemed three times as long as was actually the case, and she
+thought it must be near morning.
+
+She had gone but a short distance when she stopped with another shock of
+affright.
+
+"My gracious! what can that be?"
+
+A point of light appeared between her and the bridge, flickering about
+like an _ignis-fatuus_ or jack-o'-lantern. Nellie felt like taking to
+the tree again, but she bravely stood her ground until she could satisfy
+her curiosity as to its nature.
+
+Watching it closely she observed shadowy figures flitting around the
+light in a curious and grotesque way. She was in greater doubt than
+ever, when she heard voices.
+
+"I think I saw her tracks, but I couldn't be sure; Nellie knows too much
+to walk or fall into the deep water."
+
+"I hope so, but my heart misgives me sorely. God be merciful, for if she
+is lost I can never recover!"
+
+The first speaker was Nick Ribsam, and the second was the father, the
+mother immediately adding:
+
+"Why the poor child came here is more than I can understand, but He
+doeth all things well."
+
+_"Oh, mother! Oh, father! Oh, Nick! It is I, Nellie! I am so glad to see
+you!"_
+
+And the little wanderer flew like the wind along the bank of the creek.
+The mother was the first to recognize the voice, and rushing forward she
+caught her child in her arms, murmuring in her own language:
+
+"Mein Kind! Mein Kind! Gott sei Dank!" (My child! My child! God be
+thanked!)
+
+"Mein lieber Nellie! Komm an mein Herz! Kannst du es sein?" (My dear
+Nellie! Come to my heart! Can it be you?) exclaimed the overjoyed
+father.
+
+"O meine abtruennige Schwester! Wie du uns erschreckt hast! Wie es mich
+freut dich zu finden!" (Oh, my truant sister! What a scare you have
+given us! How glad I am to find you!) shouted Nick.
+
+And the child that was lost and was found was hugged first by mother,
+then by father, and then by Nick, and then all strove to get hold of her
+at the same time, till the brother ceased, through fear that she would
+be torn apart.
+
+Nellie was laughing and crying, and wondering why it was such commotion
+was caused by her return to her folks.
+
+Mr. Layton and Kilgore heard the tumult, and knew what it meant. A few
+minutes brought them to the spot, and, though their greeting was less
+demonstrative, their eyes filled with tears over the exceeding joy of
+the reunited family.
+
+When the excitement had subsided somewhat, the group listened to the
+story of Nellie. She told it in her childish, straightforward manner,
+and it was all the more impressive on that account.
+
+The listeners were greatly touched; but the probability that a large
+bear was in the neighborhood hastened their footsteps and they lost no
+time in hurrying away.
+
+When they reached the highway above, crossed the bridge, and had gone
+some distance on their way home, they began to feel there was nothing to
+be feared from the animal. Mr. Layton referred to the tracks of the
+beast which they had noticed when hunting for Nellie, but said he would
+never have mentioned it until the fate of the girl became known; for the
+suggestions which must have followed were too dreadful.
+
+Nothing was seen of the animal, however, and, as the distance from the
+bridge was increased the party finally gave up all thought and
+conversation respecting it.
+
+There was a grateful household that night, when, at a late hour, they
+gathered about the family altar and the head returned thanks to Him who
+had been so merciful to them and theirs.
+
+The happy mother held the daughter in her arms all night, while they
+both slept; and when the parent awoke, now and then, through the
+darkness, she shuddered, pressed the little one closer to her and kissed
+the chubby cheek, on which her former tears had not yet dried.
+
+But Katrina Ribsam was none the less an affectionate mother when,
+several days later, she called Nellie to her knee and told her how
+wrongly she had acted in venturing on such a dangerous tramp without
+asking permission from her parents.
+
+Nellie said she knew it, and wondered why it was her mother delayed the
+punishment so long. She was ready, and loved and respected her mother
+the more for administering it.
+
+But truth compels me to say that the chastisement was given with such a
+gentle hand that it was hardly worth the name, and the mother herself
+suffered far more than did the child, who to this day is not conscious
+that she received anything like physical pain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+OMINOUS PREPARATIONS.
+
+
+Happily there are few little girls in this favored land who are called
+upon to go through such trials as fell to the lot of little Nellie
+Ribsam when she was but eight years old.
+
+It created much talk in the neighborhood, and she was complimented on
+the bravery she had shown, while the glad father became more confirmed
+than ever in his favorite belief that God helps them that help
+themselves.
+
+"'Spose dot she didn't try to helps herself some," he said, in talking
+the matter over with Mr. Marston, "don't you not sees dot she would get
+eat up doo, dree times by dot bear dot vos bigger as nefer vos?"
+
+"It is a good thing for one, even though he be a child, to be able to do
+his utmost when overtaken by danger--there can be no question about
+_that_; but it would require a great deal of training to bring some
+children to that point, even when they are double the years of your
+little girl."
+
+"Dot's becos dere folks don't not begins right; we starts mit Nick and
+Nellie when dey was so small dot dey didn't know nuffin, which is why it
+happens dey knows so much now."
+
+Great as was the interest excited by the adventure of Nellie, it was not
+long before it was thrown in the shade by another fact which was brought
+to light by that same experience: that was the existence of a large bear
+in the woods which lay to the east and west of the road leading to
+Dunbarton.
+
+This forest, as has already been intimated, covered a large tract of
+country, in which, a few years previous, bears, deer, and wolves had
+been hunted by many of those dwelling on the outskirts. Large inroads
+had been made on the woodland, and here and there the cabin of a settler
+or squatter was found by those who penetrated any distance.
+
+There were clearings extending over several acres, while, again, a man
+might wander for hours without emerging from the timber, which included
+the common varieties found in the Middle States--oak, beech, maple,
+birch, hickory, hemlock, black walnut, American poplar or whitewood,
+gum, elm, persimmon, and others less important.
+
+The pine resembled the famous white pine of the Allegheny mountains, and
+predominated. Where there was such a large area covered with timber,
+about every variety of surface was known. In some places were rocks,
+ravines, hollows, and gulches; in others there were marshy swamps
+through which a hunter would find it hard work to force his way.
+
+Shark Creek entered from the east and was of considerable volume. In
+many places it was deep, while elsewhere it widened into broad and
+shallow expansions. It wound its way through the woods in the sinuous
+course always taken by such streams, and, crossing the road, where it
+was spanned by a bridge, it continued onward a quarter of a mile, when
+it reached Shark Pond, the overflow of which ultimately found its way
+into the Susquehanna and so to the Atlantic.
+
+Why the waters were called Shark Creek and Pond was more than any one
+could explain. Most likely it was because no such fish as the shark had
+ever been seen near them, the circumstances of the case rendering it
+impossible that such a voracious creature ever should have sported in
+their depths.
+
+From what has been said, it will be seen that the woods offered a most
+inviting home for a few wild bears, and there was the best reason for
+the belief of many of the neighbors that if the tract was well hunted
+over several of the animals would be found.
+
+The universal opinion was that they should be exterminated, for so long
+as they were in the woods, so long were they a standing menace to all
+the men, women, and children who dwelt in the section. The children,
+especially, were considered in great peril, and several timid mothers
+refused to let their girls and boys go to school, which stood at no
+great distance from the woods.
+
+There was more than one farmer who contended that, if the few bears were
+left alone they would multiply to that degree that they would sally
+forth from the forest, like the Delaware Indians of the last century,
+and carry death and destruction before them.
+
+A few individuals, like Gustav Ribsam, said there was nothing to fear,
+for when the bears showed any marked increase they would be killed, and
+it would be no very difficult job, either.
+
+But no one could dispute the desirability of ridding the country of the
+brute which came so near eating little Nellie Ribsam; and, where there
+was so much talk, something was done, or at least attempted.
+
+A hunting party of six men was organized in the month of October, and
+they tramped through the woods for days, with a couple of dogs, but the
+trail of the animal could not be found. They finally gave up the hunt,
+the most tired and disgusted not hesitating to declare they did not
+believe a bear had been seen in the forest for half a century.
+
+The opinion of those best qualified to judge, was that bruin obtained
+all the food he wanted with such little trouble that he did not care to
+molest any persons, and therefore kept out of the way of the hunters.
+
+Nick Ribsam, like all boys, was fond of a gun and dog, and he did not
+own either. His father had brought from Holland an old musket, used
+before the country was erected into a kingdom for Louis Bonaparte, more
+than eighty years ago; but when Nick rammed a charge down its dusty
+throat one day, forgetful that one had been resting there for months,
+and pulled trigger, it hung fire a long time; but, when it did go off,
+it did so in an overwhelming fashion, bursting into a dozen pieces and
+narrowly missing killing the astounded lad who discharged it.
+
+But Nick was so anxious to own a gun, that his father bought him one on
+the day he reached the age of ten years, which was shortly after
+Nellie's adventure with the bear. Although the farmer was frugal in all
+things, he believed it was the cheapest to buy the best, and the gun
+which was placed in the hands of Nick was a breech-loader with double
+barrels. It was a shot-gun, as a matter of course, for little use could
+be found for a rifle in that neighborhood.
+
+But Nick had practiced with this piece only a few weeks, when his
+ambition was turned in another direction by a large, strong boy, who
+hired himself out upon the farm of Mr. Marston. He was sixteen years of
+age, and was named Sam Harper. His father had been a soldier in the late
+war, and gave to Sam a fine breech-loading rifle, which he brought with
+him when he hired out to Mr. Marston.
+
+The lad had owned it two years, and, under the tutelage of his father,
+who was wounded and living upon a pension, he became very skillful for
+one of his age.
+
+Beside this, Mr. Marston himself, as I have shown, was fond of hunting
+in his early manhood, and was the owner of an excellent muzzle-loading
+rifle, which was as good as when his keen eye glanced along the brown
+barrel and the bullet was buried in the unsuspicious deer, so far away
+as to be scarcely visible to the ordinary vision.
+
+"If you and Sam want to hunt the bear," said the kind owner, "you are
+welcome to my rifle, for you know a shot-gun ain't exactly the thing to
+go hunting bears with."
+
+"That's just what I want it for," said Nick, with sparkling eyes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE BEAR HUNTERS.
+
+
+Nothing is impossible to pluck and perseverance. That boy who is
+determined to become brilliant in his studies, no matter what their
+nature, or to master a difficult profession, or to attain any point
+possible of attainment, is sure to win, if he will but _stick to it_.
+
+Nick Ribsam was resolved to become skillful with the rifle, and he gave
+all the time he could spare to practice with the gun which belonged to
+Mr. Marston. He was desirous of starting after the bear with Sam, as
+soon as he could use the gun, but his sensible father shook his head.
+
+"No, Nicholas, that would be doing wrong, for you do not know how to
+handle the rifle; God does not step in and help the lazy and careless;
+first learn how to use the weapon, so you will never miss; then you may
+go hunt bears."
+
+Although a lusty lad, Nick found the heavy gun was quite a burden, and
+he preferred to rest the barrel on the fence, or in the crotch of a
+tree, when aiming, but Sam Harper told him he could never amount to
+anything unless he used his weapon off-hand, and was ready to do so
+effectively, no matter how sudden the call.
+
+Nick applied all his energies, and in the course of a few weeks won the
+praise of Sam, who had become very fond of the bright and good-natured
+"Pennsylvania Dutchman," who, in return, helped him in his efforts to
+improve his knowledge in arithmetic, which he studied in a desultory way
+on the long autumn evenings, having promised his father to do so.
+
+Mr. Marston owned a dog which was not of much account, but the boys
+trained him with rare patience, and were confident he would prove
+valuable when they took him on the hunt.
+
+By the time they were ready to start autumn was advanced, and Nick, who
+had carefully studied up the peculiarities of the animal, said he was
+afraid the bear had gone into some hollow tree or cave to take his
+winter's sleep.
+
+"I don't think they do that till the weather gets colder," said Sam, who
+had once helped hunt bruin in the wilds of Tennessee, "and even in very
+cold weather I have seen their tracks in the snow; but if we can only
+find the tree or cave where he is hiding, why, that will just be
+splendid."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"He is fat, lazy, and so sleepy that he don't fight much; but in the
+spring-time he is lean, hungry, and fierce, and then everybody must look
+out. There are so many chestnuts and hickory nuts in the woods now that
+he can get all he wants to eat without scaring the farmers by visiting
+them."
+
+"The bear eats almost everything," said Nick, "but I don't believe he
+can make much of a meal off hickory nuts."
+
+"Well, he has got a good thing of it anyway, here, there is so much food
+around him, and if he had only been smart enough to keep out of sight
+and never show himself he might have died of old age without being once
+disturbed by hunters."
+
+"I ain't sure he won't die of old age as it is," said Nick, with a
+laugh; "for every one who went after him came back without the first
+glimpse. I guess they have all given up hope of shooting him, and I
+shouldn't wonder if we had to do the same."
+
+But whether such was to be the result or not remained to be seen, and
+the boys were sure of plenty of sport in an all-day ramble through the
+woods.
+
+During all this time Nick and Nellie were attending school, and they
+maintained their places in their studies, and were surpassed by none in
+the excellence of their deportment.
+
+Nick rose early and helped his father with his work, and at night did
+his chores. With all this, he found opportunity to practice with the
+rifle and to prepare his lessons for the morrow, so that it need not be
+said he had little idle time on his hands.
+
+On a bright Saturday morning in November, when the smoky haze of the
+delicious Indian summer overspread forest, stream, and country, Sam
+Harper came to the house of Nick Ribsam according to appointment.
+
+His rifle was slung over his shoulder, and the dog, which they had
+christened Bowser, was at his heels. There was no school that day, and
+Mr. Ribsam, having satisfied himself of the ability of Nick to handle
+the rifle of his neighbor, had given him permission to go on a hunt for
+the bear which had so frightened Nellie a couple of months before.
+
+The mother and daughter were a little anxious when the rosy-cheeked boy
+donned his heavy boots, pushed his trousers down the legs, and taking
+the long-barreled rifle from where it rested in the corner turned to
+kiss them good-by.
+
+Mr. Ribsam seemed as cool and stolid as ever; but any one looking
+closely at him would have observed that he puffed his pipe a little
+oftener than was his wont, while his eye beamed more kindly upon his
+brave little boy.
+
+"Look out, Nick, and don't be too venturesome," said the mother, as she
+pressed her lips to those of her only son.
+
+"And remember that the bear is an awful big animal," said Nellie, "for
+I _seen_ him."
+
+The brother, who was in the act of leaning over his sister to kiss her,
+drew back with a reproving look.
+
+"Why is it a girl can't talk without saying 'awful' in every sentence? I
+wish for variety's sake, Nellie, you and the rest of the girls would
+leave 'awful' out of one sentence in a hundred, and don't say 'I _seen_
+him,' for you know better than that, sister."
+
+She hung her head and her eyes were growing misty, when Nick took the
+kiss with a laugh and moved to the door.
+
+"There, there, good-by; you all act as if I was going to Africa to hunt
+lions and tigers."
+
+Nellie snapped him up in a flash:
+
+"There ain't any tigers in Africa, smarty!"
+
+"You got me that time," laughed Nick; "where is father?"
+
+"He went out of the door a minute ago; he is standing by the gate," said
+the mother, after a quick glance through the window.
+
+Mr. Ribsam was leaning on the gate-post, as was a favorite custom of
+his, and the tobacco smoke ascended in clouds and rings, as though he
+was a locomotive tugging hard at a train, with the wheels continually
+slipping.
+
+He looked at the boys without stirring or speaking, as they passed out
+the gate and gently closed it, so as not to jar the old gentleman
+leaning upon it.
+
+When they had gone a rod or so, Mr. Ribsam called out:
+
+"Nicholas!"
+
+"Yes, sir!" answered the son, wheeling instantly.
+
+The father took the long stem of his pipe from his mouth, emitted a
+blast of vapor, and then shut his eyes and flung his head backward with
+a quick flirt, which meant that his boy should come to him.
+
+Nick obeyed with his usual promptness, and paused immediately in front
+of his parent, while Sam Harper stopped short and looked backward at the
+two, with the purpose of waiting until the interview ended.
+
+The old gentleman meant his words for both, and he therefore used the
+English tongue as best he could, and spoke loud:
+
+"Nicholas, bears ish shtrong amimals as nefer vos: they can squeeze in
+der ribs of a ox of dey tried, I dinks, so looks out dot de bears don't
+not squeeze mit you."
+
+"I will take good care, you may depend."
+
+"His claws am sharp and he has big jaws; look outs for dem, Nicholas!"
+
+"You may be sure I will."
+
+"And, Nicholas, ven you goes for to hunt bears _you must helps one
+anoder; you hears_?"
+
+This was the all-important sentence the father had prepared himself to
+utter. It will be observed that it was in violation of his oft repeated
+creed, for it clearly called upon the boys to render mutual support
+should danger arise; and they would have been zanies had they not done
+so.
+
+The father expected them to show that much sense, but he was impelled to
+impress the necessity of it: he meant them to understand that his
+declarations were subject to amendment under certain conditions.
+
+Nick gave the pledge and stepped briskly up the road with Sam, while
+Bowser frolicked in the fields and road until they were fairly in the
+woods, when he frisked among the trees, sometimes starting up a squirrel
+or rabbit, which had no trouble in skurrying out of his reach.
+
+As the bear when seen by Nellie was near Shark Creek, the boys agreed to
+follow the road to the bridge, descend into the bed of the stream, and
+then go downward toward the pond and finally off into the woods, where
+they intended to pass that day and probably the night and following day.
+
+They had reached and passed the tree in which Nellie Ribsam took refuge
+two months before, when Nick suddenly exclaimed:
+
+"Hallo, there is some one ahead of us!"
+
+"It's the season for game and we shall find plenty of hunters in the
+wood," said Sam Harper, who, nevertheless, scanned the person with much
+interest.
+
+The fact that the boys were following precisely in his footsteps raised
+the suggestion that perhaps he was engaged on the same business or
+sport, as it might be termed.
+
+Our friends hastened their pace so as to overtake him, for his company
+might be desirable, or possibly it might be otherwise.
+
+"Hallo, there!" called out Nick; "wait a minute!"
+
+The individual thus hailed turned about, and looked back to see who it
+was that called.
+
+As he did so his face was seen, and Nick Ribsam gave utterance to an
+expression of astonishment.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+A RECRUIT.
+
+
+The stranger ahead of the two boys was Herbert Watrous, the city youth
+upon whom Nick had sat down so hard three years before.
+
+He was unusually tall when visiting the country school, and during the
+intervening time he had continued to grow upward, until his height
+equaled that of an ordinary man. He was scarce fourteen years old, but
+he lacked very little of six feet in altitude.
+
+He was correspondingly slim, so that he looked as if a smart blow on the
+back would snap him in two. He was arrayed in a most gorgeous hunting
+suit of green, with all the paraphernalia which the hunter from the city
+thinks necessary when he honors the country with a tramp for game.
+
+Herbert, beyond question, was fitted out in fine style, and there was
+nothing lacking, except perhaps skill. He carried one of the finest of
+breech-loading rifles, which would have been very effective in the hands
+of a party who knew how to use it.
+
+The face of the lad had not changed in expression to any extent since
+Nick Ribsam drove him into the earth, but there was some downy furze on
+his upper lip and chin, while his voice was of that squeaky and
+uncertain tone heard when "changing."
+
+"Hallo! is that you?" was the rather superfluous question of Herbert, as
+he waited for the two boys to come up. He recognized Nick, but of course
+was a stranger to Sam Harper, to whom Nick introduced him, and there was
+a general shaking of hands all around.
+
+Young Watrous glanced rather askance at his old school-mate, but there
+was such a cordial welcome on the part of the young "American of Dutch
+descent" that all reserve vanished.
+
+A certain loftiness of manner and conceit of expression, however, were
+natural to Herbert, and he did not fail to look down, in a literal and
+figurative sense, upon the two hunters.
+
+"That's a fine gun you have there, Herbert," said Nick, venturing to
+reach out his hand for it.
+
+"Yes," answered Herbert, passing it to him rather gingerly, "be careful
+not to drop it."
+
+The gun was a beautiful weapon, known as the long range "Creedmoor." It
+was a Remington, highly finished, and cost $125. It had a front sight,
+known as the wind-gauge, with the spirit-level, and with the vernier
+sight on the stock, which is raised from its flat position when the
+hunter wishes to shoot a long distance, and is graduated up to a
+thousand yards, carrying a 44 cartridge.
+
+"That isn't of much account in this part of the world," said Sam Harper,
+passing the weapon back; "it's light enough, for I don't suppose it
+weighs more than six or seven pounds."
+
+"It's just the thing for these woods," said Herbert, in his important
+manner, "for I calculate to bring down game a half mile away, if I
+happen to see it."
+
+"And provided it will stand still and you can know the exact distance."
+
+"I can tell that by my eye easily enough."
+
+"You can't guess within two hundred yards of it, if your life depended
+on it."
+
+"That remains to be seen."
+
+"The first time you try it will prove it. I have seen them shoot with
+the telescopes, globe, and peep sights and all the new fangled notions,
+and they're good only for fancy shooting. You've got to use that
+breech-loader off-hand, just as I do, or it won't be worth a cent to
+you."
+
+"I understand that a big black bear has been seen in the woods," said
+Herbert, in his loftiest style; "I've come to kill him."
+
+Nick and Sam looked significantly at each other, and Nick said:
+
+"That is what we are after; won't you join us?"
+
+Instead of responding promptly, Herbert said:
+
+"Well, I don't know as I have any objection to letting you go with me,
+though you must promise to do as I say."
+
+Without giving this pledge, the two said they would render all the help
+they could, and the party moved on down the creek toward the pond.
+
+"Have you a dog?" asked Nick of their new recruit.
+
+"No, what do I want of a dog? He would only be a bother; you ought to
+send back that pumpkin of yours."
+
+"We don't expect him to be of much help, except to find the track of the
+bear, if he is anywhere in the neighborhood--_there!_ do you hear that?"
+
+At that moment Bowser, who had trotted into the woods ahead, gave
+utterance to a hoarse, resounding bay, which sounded as though his voice
+had also changed, for it ended in a dismal squeaking howl that made all
+laugh.
+
+"He is on the track of something," said Nick in some excitement.
+
+"A rabbit, I am sure," remarked Herbert, with a sneer.
+
+The three started off at a rapid walk, which occasionally broke into a
+trot, and following the baying of the hound they turned to the right
+before reaching the big pond, and struck into the very heart of the
+woods.
+
+Herbert was so much taller and lighter than his companions that he drew
+away from them once or twice, but was obliging enough to stop and wait.
+
+Hurrying along in this headlong fashion they soon stopped, all pretty
+well out of breath.
+
+Although Herbert had laughed at their tardiness, he was the most
+exhausted and the first one to wish to rest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+A SURPRISE.
+
+
+All this time the baying of the hound continued, the sounds showing that
+he had circled and was approaching the boys, who were not a little
+astonished at the unexpected turn of affairs.
+
+"That's a pretty dog," laughed Herbert; "he is making fools of us all."
+
+"There isn't any need of that so far as _you_ are concerned," retorted
+Nick, losing patience with the slurs of their companion. "You had better
+wait till you find out what it means before you condemn Bowser."
+
+Herbert made no answer, for the dog was now so close that the interest
+of all was centered on his actions.
+
+"My gracious, what a terrible racket he makes!" exclaimed Nick; "there
+must be something unusual to excite Bowser like that."
+
+The dog was not heard for several minutes, but the crashing through the
+undergrowth sounded nearer and nearer, and, as Sam declared, showed that
+Bowser had steam up and was going for something.
+
+Suddenly the bushes parted only a short ways from where the three
+wondering lads stood, and, instead of the hound, some kind of a wild
+animal came toward them on a dead run.
+
+The group were too amazed to think of the guns they held, and only
+stared in mute wonder.
+
+The game did not see them until within a hundred feet, when he whirled
+at right angles and plunged away with arrowy speed.
+
+As he did so, he exposed his flank to the young hunters, who could not
+have been given a better opportunity to bring him down, for the throwing
+forward of the foreleg, opened his most vulnerable part to the bullet.
+
+But none was sent after him; at that instant he was recognized as a fine
+buck deer, with branching antlers thrown back so that they seemed to
+rest on his spine, while his legs were flung straight in front and then
+backward, as he took his long graceful leaps.
+
+The boys had set out to hunt a bear, and were astounded that, when they
+dared not hope they were anywhere in his vicinity, a splendid deer
+should spring up and dash by them.
+
+Before they could give utterance to their amazement, Bowser came along
+with his nose to the ground and baying hoarsely.
+
+Just as he turned to follow the deer, Herbert Watrous raised his
+breech-loader to his shoulder and fired point blank at him.
+
+"What did you do that for?" demanded Sam Harper, striding threateningly
+toward him with his fist raised.
+
+"Why--why--I declare! I thought it was the bear!" exclaimed the abashed
+Herbert; "I never dreamed it was the dog."
+
+Sam was not disposed to believe this story, and he stood irresolute,
+strongly inclined to punish the city youth who had fired at his hound;
+but Nick compelled his angry friend to laugh by saying:
+
+"You shouldn't be mad, Sam, for Bowser is safe so long as Herbert aims
+at him. I don't think he came within twenty feet. If he should hit him
+you can make up your mind it is an accident."
+
+Herbert hardly knew how to answer this remark, for he saw that he had
+not done a very creditable thing, view it as he might, so he made a
+radical turn in the conversation.
+
+"Who would have thought it, boys? We've got not only a bear, but a deer
+to hunt, and I say, may the best fellow win!"
+
+And with this manly sentiment on his lips he broke into a rapid run
+after the buck and hound, the others following, forgetful of the little
+flurry a few minutes before.
+
+It was not in the order of things that the lads should be able to make
+their way through the woods and undergrowth with anything like the speed
+of the fallow deer or dog. Hunters don't expect to overtake their game
+in anything like a fair chase when all are on foot, but resort to
+stratagem.
+
+By stationing themselves so as to head off a deer, they secure the one
+shot which is all-sufficient. It would be counted an extremely good
+piece of fortune could they obtain such a fair target as has already
+been given the young hunters; and, having let it pass unimproved, they
+scarcely would have expected to be so favored again.
+
+It was natural, therefore, that they should make a pell-mell rush after
+the deer and hound, and that they should keep going until, once more,
+they were forced to stop from exhaustion.
+
+By this time the baying of Bowser came to them so faintly that it was
+plain he was a mile distant at the least, while there could be little
+doubt that the buck was much farther off.
+
+"Well!" exclaimed the panting Herbert Watrous, "I can't say I see much
+fun in this; it's too much like chasing a railroad train."
+
+"No," added Nick, "I don't see that there is any hope of running down
+the deer, who is more used to traveling than we are."
+
+"Maybe he'll come round in a circle again," said Sam, "and we may have
+another chance to see him sail by, while not one of us raises his gun."
+
+"I suppose we ought to understand something more about the habits of
+the deer, so that we would know what course he would be likely to take.
+We could then get there ahead of him and fire as soon as he gave us a
+chance."
+
+"Well," added Sam, with a sigh, "he seems to have taken the route we
+were going to follow to hunt the bear, so we may as well tramp along. We
+may get a glimpse of a buffalo or elephant next."
+
+The baying of the hound had ceased, and, though the boys often stopped
+and listened, they heard nothing more of it.
+
+"I guess he has caught the deer," said Herbert, who showed a desire to
+speak well of Bowser since he had failed to shoot him, "and is waiting
+for us."
+
+But Sam shook his head; he knew the canine too well to believe him
+capable of such an exploit as that.
+
+"I don't think he ever ran down anything yet, unless it was a chicken or
+cat--hallo!"
+
+At that moment the subject of their conversation appeared on the scene,
+approaching as quietly as though the boys were sheep that he wished to
+surprise.
+
+He slouched along with a lazy, tired gait, his tongue out, and dripping
+with perspiration, while he panted as though he had been on the severest
+chase of his life, which most likely was the fact.
+
+He lay down at the feet of Sam Harper, and, stretching out his paws,
+rested his head between them as much as to say, "Gentlemen, I have had
+enough of this sport, and resign; you will now carry it on without my
+assistance."
+
+"He is tired out, and I don't wonder," said Sam, stooping over and
+patting the head of the hound; "he ain't used to deer hunting, and don't
+know much more about it than do we."
+
+"Then he don't know anything," was the truthful observation of Nick
+Ribsam.
+
+"It's my opinion that it's best to give up hunting that particular deer
+until we learn a little more about the right way to do it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+THE DINNER IN THE WOODS.
+
+
+By this time it was close to the hour of noon, and the young hunters
+were hungry. They had brought no lunch with them, for that would have
+been an admission that they doubted their own ability to provide food
+for themselves in a country abounding with game.
+
+Nick Ribsam had a paper of salt and pepper mixed, with which to season
+their dinner as soon as it should be secured.
+
+The common red squirrels, or chickarees, were so plentiful that they
+were nearly always in sight, and, without moving from where they stood,
+the lads descried several running along the limbs of the trees.
+
+"Let each of us shoot one," said Sam, walking forth to get a better aim
+at a fellow perched high on the branch of a large oak.
+
+Slowly bringing his gun to his shoulder, he took careful aim, and the
+game came tumbling through the leaves to the ground, his head punctured
+by the cruel bullet. Bowser started at a lazy walk to bring the body in,
+but Sam stopped him and picked it up himself.
+
+"I think I will take _that_ one," said Herbert, indicating a squirrel
+which was nearer than the others. It was sitting in the crotch of a
+tree, nigh enough to be struck with a stone flung by a skillful thrower.
+
+The other two watched his actions with some interest as he raised the
+handsome breech-loader. He took a long and deliberate aim, and gave a
+grunt the instant he pulled the trigger, and the sharp report broke the
+stillness of the woods.
+
+Nick and Sam laughed, for the frightened rodent scampered up the tree
+and ran out upon a heavy branch, where he whisked from sight and then
+back again, chattering in such a lively fashion that it was plain he had
+suffered no inconvenience from the bullet sent after him.
+
+"Well, I'll be hanged!" exclaimed the chagrined Herbert, "I don't
+understand how that came about."
+
+"The squirrel doesn't seem to understand it, either," said Sam; "let's
+see whether you can do any worse, Nick."
+
+"I'm going to try and bark him," remarked Nick, cocking his rifle and
+sighting at the little animal.
+
+Before he could make his aim sure, the chickaree started to run along
+the limb, which was large and covered with thick, shaggy bark; but the
+muzzle of the weapon swerved slowly in a corresponding direction, and
+just as the game gathered itself to make a leap, the explosion came.
+
+The others, who were watching the squirrel to note the result, saw
+several pieces of bark suddenly fly upward with such force that the
+rodent was hurled fully a foot above the limb, dropping like a wet rag
+at the feet of the lad, killed, without its skin being broken.
+
+"That was a good shot!" exclaimed Sam Harper admiringly; "no hunter in
+the land could have barked him better than did you."
+
+"What do you mean by barking a squirrel?" asked Herbert, who had never
+seen anything of the kind before.
+
+"It is easy enough; all you have to do is to cut the bark right under
+the squirrel's body, so that the pieces fly upward with such force as to
+knock the life from him."
+
+"That's the way I'm going to kill them after this."
+
+"It is best to practice hitting them with the ball first," Nick
+suggested.
+
+Herbert solemnly removed the shell of the cartridge from his
+breech-loader and replaced it with a fresh one, pretending not to hear
+the remark of Nick.
+
+As the two squirrels were large and in excellent condition, it was
+thought they would afford enough dinner for the boys, who went some
+distance farther until they reached a small stream of clear, icy water,
+where they decided to make their fire.
+
+While Nick and Herbert busied themselves gathering some dry twigs and
+sticks, Sam Harper, with his keen knife, skillfully skinned the
+chickarees, dressed them, and then holding them over the flame on
+green, forked sticks, they were soon cooked to a turn.
+
+For a few minutes before they were ready, the odor of the broiling game
+so sharpened the appetites of the boys that Nick sprang up, and,
+hurrying out in the woods, shot another for Sam to dress and cook.
+
+"Two ain't enough," he said in explanation, as he threw the last to his
+friend; "I can eat a couple myself, and Bowser looks sort of faint."
+
+"The waste parts ought to be enough for him," said Sam, glancing at the
+hound, who had gulped down everything thrown him and was gazing
+wistfully for the next tid-bits that should fall to his share.
+
+The clear, pure air, the vigorous exercise, and the rugged health of the
+boys gave them appetites scarcely less forceful than that of Bowser; and
+when Nick had carefully sprinkled the seasoning over the juicy, crisp
+flesh, and each, taking one of the squirrels in hand, began wrenching
+off the tender meat, he was sure he had never tasted such a delicious
+dinner in all his life.
+
+Even Herbert Watrous, accustomed as he was to the delicacies and
+refinements of a city home, admitted that there was something about the
+meal which, washed down with clear, pure water, had a flavor surpassing
+anything of the kind he had ever known.
+
+The causes why it tasted thus I have already stated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+A TEST OF MARKSMANSHIP.
+
+
+The boys were so tired from their severe tramp, and the rest was so
+grateful after finishing their dinner, that they stayed where they were
+an hour longer. Then, realizing that nothing could be done by idleness,
+they slung their reloaded rifles over their shoulders, took another
+drink of water, and lazily made their way to higher ground.
+
+"I have been thinking," said Nick, when they paused again, "that we will
+be more likely to learn something of the bear if we separate."
+
+"For how long?" Herbert asked.
+
+"Until night, or until we find him."
+
+"But how can we find each other at night?"
+
+"That can be fixed easily enough; if necessary, we can signal to each
+other, or we can pick out some landmark that can be seen a long ways
+off and gradually approach that as the sun goes down."
+
+There was nothing brilliant in this proposition, but after some
+discussion it was agreed to by the others, and they began looking around
+for something which might serve them as a guide.
+
+Directly to the north, the woods rose in a series of hills of no great
+elevation, but among them were numerous large rocks of limestone
+formation, some of them of such a light color that they could be seen a
+long distance.
+
+"Right yonder," said Nick, pointing toward the largest, "is one which we
+cannot mistake; let's agree to meet there at nightfall and go into camp.
+If either one of us loses his reckoning he will fire his gun and the
+others will answer him, so there need be no danger at all."
+
+"I don't see as there would be any danger if we failed to find each
+other before morning," said Sam; "we are not in a wild country where
+Indians will hunt for us."
+
+"There ain't any danger," said Herbert, "only it will be a great deal
+more pleasant to spend the night together; you will feel safer by
+knowing that I am with you with my patent breech-loader."
+
+"Yes," said Nick, "for by keeping close to you there won't be half as
+much likelihood of being hit when you fire at something else."
+
+"I haven't tried yet," said Herbert; "my gun is a long-distance shooter:
+there's where I get my work in. Show me a mark a good long distance off
+and you'll open your eyes."
+
+"Well, I declare, if that doesn't beat all!"
+
+It was Sam Harper who uttered this exclamation. He had been gazing
+steadily at a broad, flat rock about a quarter of a mile distant to the
+northwest of them, and his words announced that he had made some
+important discovery.
+
+The peculiar tone in which he spoke caused the others to turn toward him
+and ask the cause.
+
+"Look at that yellowish white rock," he answered, pointing toward it,
+"and tell me whether that isn't a little ahead of anything yet."
+
+One brief searching glance showed that the young man had sufficient
+cause for his excitement.
+
+[Illustration: "Now I'll show you what my Creedmoor will do," said
+Herbert Watrous.]
+
+Standing on the top of the rock, so that his figure was thrown in clear
+relief against the tinted sky behind him, was the very buck they had
+been vainly chasing. He seemed to be looking back at the young hunters
+as though he disdained their prowess and defied them to renew their
+attempt to bring him down.
+
+"_That's my chance!_" exclaimed Herbert, in excitement; "that's just my
+distance; get out of my way! give me room! now I'll show you what my
+Creedmoor will do, when aimed by a master of the art."
+
+With great display and ceremony the youth prepared to give an exhibition
+of shooting like that shown at the international matches. The others
+stepped back, so as not to impede his movements, and he deliberately
+threw off his cap, got down on his back, raised the rear sight, crossed
+his feet and drew them half way up to his body, then rested the barrel
+of his gun on the support thus furnished between the knees, and with his
+left hand beneath his head, and turned so as to rest against the stock
+of his gun, while his right was crooked around with the finger lightly
+pressing the trigger, he was in the proper position to make a "crack
+shot."
+
+The others watched his actions with the closest attention, only fearful
+that the deer would not keep his position long enough for Herbert to
+obtain the aim he wished.
+
+The conditions could not have been more favorable; the buck being to the
+northwest, while the sun was high in the heavens, there was no confusion
+of vision from that cause. The smokiness of the atmosphere was so slight
+that it was scarcely perceptible at so brief a distance, while there was
+not the least breath of air stirring.
+
+"I am afraid he will lose his chance if he waits too long," said Nick
+impatiently, in an undertone to Sam, who whispered back:
+
+"The buck understands him and will wait."
+
+It was evident that Mr. Herbert Watrous did not mean to spoil his aim by
+haste. Shutting one eye, he squinted carefully through his sights,
+lowering or raising the stock or barrel so as to shift the aim, until
+at last he had it elevated and pointed to suit him.
+
+Sam watched the buck, while Nick kept his eye on the marksman, who was
+holding his breath, with his finger crowding the trigger harder and
+harder until the explosion came.
+
+As before, Herbert uttered a grunt the instant the piece was discharged,
+and then, hastily clambering to his feet, he put on his cap and said
+with the utmost assurance:
+
+"That bullet struck him in the chest and will be found buried in his
+body."
+
+"He doesn't know you fired at him," said Sam Harper, as the buck, a
+moment later, turned about and walked out of sight.
+
+"The deer doesn't fall at once, even if you drive the bullet through his
+heart. That buck may go a hundred yards or so, but he will then drop as
+if struck by lightning."
+
+The confidence with which these words were uttered puzzled Nick and
+caused him to think that possibly the boaster was right after all, and
+he had made the shot he claimed.
+
+The truth would probably be learned during the afternoon, for Nick
+meant to learn it for himself.
+
+Now that they agreed to separate, it was decided that Herbert should
+keep straight along the route they had been following. Sam should
+diverge to the right, while Nick would swerve far enough to the left to
+pass the rock whereupon the buck stood at the time he was shot or rather
+shot at.
+
+"I am bound to find out the truth," said Nick, with a shake of the head.
+
+And so he did; but little did he dream of what was to happen to him
+during this search for the truth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+A QUAIL.
+
+
+As the hound belonged to Sam Harper and showed a disposition to go with
+him, he was allowed to do so, the lad moving off to the right and Nick
+Ribsam to the left, as was agreed upon.
+
+Nick had not his father's watch with him, but Herbert Watrous carried a
+handsome gold hunting-piece, which was now consulted and showed it was
+nearly two o'clock.
+
+"The days are getting short," said Sam Harper, with a doubtful shake of
+the head; "that doesn't leave us more than three hours of daylight, and
+it is hardly worth while to part company."
+
+"What's the odds?" laughed Nick, who was anxious to look for the deer;
+"we won't be far apart, as we may be to-morrow."
+
+And, without waiting to discuss the question, he struck to the left with
+his strong step, the others following the courses already mentioned.
+
+No afternoon could have been more charming, with the summer lingering
+and mellowing the approaching winter.
+
+The faint, smoky haze of the atmosphere, the clear sky, the warm sun,
+the brilliant-hued vegetation in the woods, the faint cawing of crows in
+the distance, and the flight of birds overhead, looking like
+mathematical figures in India-ink gliding across the blue heavens, the
+delicious languor everywhere: all these were at their best, and he who
+was wandering through the rainbow-tinted forest, where the sleepy waters
+flowed, could well understand why it was the pioneers, like Daniel
+Boone, Simon Kenton, and others, turned their backs on civilization,
+and, plunging into the wilderness, buried themselves for months from the
+sight of their fellow-men.
+
+Sam Harper was moving quietly toward the north, when it seemed to him
+that a large leaf suddenly blew forward from beneath his feet and was
+carried swiftly over the ground, straight ahead and away from him.
+
+Looking closely, he discovered that it was a plump quail which he had
+startled, and which was speeding from him. Although the bird has short
+legs it runs very swiftly, and it was gone almost before Sam identified
+it.
+
+"Ah, if I could only get a shot at you," said the lad, his mouth fairly
+watering, "what a splendid supper you would make!"
+
+The words were yet in his mouth, when a sudden whirring sound broke the
+air, and he caught a glimpse of a second quail flying like an arrow
+below the principal limbs.
+
+Sam raised his rifle as quick as a flash, took aim as best he could, and
+fired. Even the great Dr. Carver would have missed under such
+circumstances, and the lad came nowhere near hitting the game.
+
+So swift was the flight of the bird, that as soon as the trigger was
+pulled and Sam looked for it it had vanished. That man who handles the
+rifle must be wonderfully skillful to bring down one of those birds on
+the wing.
+
+It is curious how the name of the common quail is disputed and varied.
+There are plenty who will insist that I should have called this bird a
+partridge, when, in point of fact, there is no true representative of
+the partridge in America.
+
+The spruce partridge is the Canada grouse; the partridge of New England
+is the ruffed grouse; the partridge of the Middle and Southern States is
+the quail, of which several varieties are called partridges; while in
+Europe the birds which are called quails are in reality partridges.
+
+Without tiring my readers by attempting anything like a scientific
+discussion of the question, I may say there are a dozen species of
+quails found in North and Central America and the West Indies, and Mr.
+Baird proposes that, as neither the name quail, partridge, nor pheasant
+is properly given to any American bird, the species to which I refer
+should be called the Bob White.
+
+If this should be done, the smallest urchin will be able to recognize
+the species from its peculiar call.
+
+Sam Harper would have been glad indeed if he could have secured one of
+these delicious birds for supper, but there was little prospect of
+doing so. The game looks so much like the brown and mottled leaves among
+which it searches for food, that a hunter would almost place his foot
+upon one without observing it, while the nest of the quail or partridge
+is almost as impossible to find as the remains of an elephant in Ceylon,
+where it is said no such remains have ever been discovered.
+
+One of the lessons Sam had learned from his father was to reload his gun
+immediately after firing it, so as to be ready for any emergency.
+Accordingly, before stirring from his place, he threw out the shell from
+his breech-loader and replaced it with a new cartridge.
+
+Just as he did so, he heard the report of a gun only a short distance to
+the left, at a point where Herbert Watrous should have been.
+
+"He's scared up something," was the natural conclusion of Sam, who
+smiled as he added; "I wonder whether he could hit a bear a dozen feet
+off with that wonderful Remington of his. It's a good weapon, and I wish
+I owned one; but I wouldn't start out to hunt big game until I learned
+something about it."
+
+The boy waited a minute, listening for some signal from his companion,
+but none was heard and he moved on again.
+
+Sam, like many an amateur hunter, began to appreciate the value of a
+trained hunting dog. Bowser was not a pure-blooded hound; he was fat and
+he was faultily trained. He had stumbled upon the trail of the buck by
+accident and had plunged ahead in pursuit, until "pumped," when he
+seemed to lose all interest in the sport.
+
+He now stayed close to Sam, continually looking up in his face as if to
+ask him when he was going to stop the nonsense and go back home.
+
+He scarcely pricked his ears when the quail ran ahead of him, and paid
+no attention to the whirring made by the other. He had had all he wanted
+of that kind of amusement and showed no disposition to tire himself any
+further.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED LESSON.
+
+
+As it was the height of the hunting season, the reports of guns were
+heard at varying distances through the woods, so that Sam could only
+judge when they were fired by his friends from their nearness to him.
+
+He was well satisfied that the last shot was from the Remington of
+Herbert, while the one that preceded it a few minutes, he was convinced
+came from the muzzle-loader of Nick Ribsam, owned by Mr. Marston.
+
+"The boys seem to have found something too do, but I don't believe they
+have seen anything of the bear--hallo!"
+
+His last exclamation was caused by his unexpected arrival at a clearing,
+in the center of which stood a log cabin, while the half acre
+surrounding it showed that it had been cultivated during the season to
+the highest extent.
+
+There was that air of thrift and cleanliness about the place which told
+the lad that whoever lived within was industrious, frugal, and neat.
+
+"That's a queer place to build a house," said Sam, as he surveyed the
+scene; "no one can earn a living there, and it must make a long walk to
+reach the neighborhood where work is to be had."
+
+Prompted by a natural curiosity, Sam walked over the faintly marked path
+until he stepped upon the piece of hewed log, which answered for a
+porch, directly in front of the door.
+
+Although the latch string hung invitingly out, he did not pull it, but
+knocked rather gently.
+
+"Come in!" was called out in a female voice, and the boy immediately
+opened the door.
+
+A pleasing, neatly-clad young woman was working with her dishes at a
+table, while a fat chub of a boy, about two years old, was playing on
+the floor with a couple of kittens.
+
+The mother, as she evidently was, turned her head so as to face the
+visitor, nodded cheerily, bade him good afternoon, and told him to help
+himself to one of the chairs, whose bottoms were made of white mountain
+ash, as fine and pliable as silken ribbons.
+
+Sam was naturally courteous, and, thanking the lady for her invitation,
+he sat down, placing his cap on his knee. He said he was out on a hunt
+with some friends, and coming upon the cabin thought he would make a
+call, and learn whether he could be of any service to the lady and her
+child.
+
+The mother thanked him, and said that fortunately she was not in need of
+any help, as her husband was well and able to provide her with all she
+needed.
+
+Without giving the conversation in detail, it may be said that Sam
+Harper learned a lesson, during his brief stay in that humble cabin,
+which will go with him through life: it was a lesson of cheerfulness and
+contentment, to which he often refers, and which makes him thankful that
+he was led to turn aside from his sport even for a short while.
+
+The husband of the woman worked for a farmer who lived fully four miles
+away, on the northern edge of the woods, and who paid only scant wages.
+The employee walked the four miles out so as to reach the farm by seven
+o'clock in the morning, and he did not leave until six in the evening.
+He did this summer and winter, through storm and sunshine, and was
+happy.
+
+He lived in the lonely log cabin, because his employer owned it and gave
+him the rent free. It had been erected by some wood-choppers several
+years before, and was left by them when through with their contract, so
+that it was nothing to any one who did not occupy it.
+
+The young man, although now the embodiment of rugged health and
+strength, had lain on a bed of sickness for six months, during which he
+hovered between life and death. His wife never left his side during that
+time for more than a few minutes, and the physician was scarcely less
+faithful. At last the wasting fever vanished, and the husband and father
+came back to health and strength again.
+
+But he was in debt to the extent of $200, and he and his wife determined
+on the most rigid economy until the last penny should be paid.
+
+"If Fred keeps his health," said the cheery woman, "we shall be out of
+debt at the end of two years more. Won't you bring your friends and stay
+with us to-night?"
+
+This invitation was given with great cordiality, and Sam would have been
+glad to accept it, but he declined, through consideration for the brave
+couple, who would certainly be put to inconvenience by entertaining
+three visitors.
+
+Sam thanked her for her kindness, and, rising to go, drew back the door
+and remarked:
+
+"I notice you have a good rifle over the mantle; I don't see how your
+husband can get much time to use it."
+
+"He doesn't; it is I who shoot the game, which saves half the cost of
+food; but," added the plucky little woman, "there is one game which I am
+very anxious to bring down."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"_A bear._"
+
+"Do you know whether there are any in the woods?"
+
+"There is one, and I think more. My husband has seen it twice, and he
+took the gun with him when going to work, in the hope of gaining a
+chance to shoot it; but, when I caught sight of it on the edge of the
+clearing, he thought it best to leave the rifle for me to use."
+
+"Why are you so anxious to shoot the bear?" asked Sam.
+
+"Well, it isn't a very pleasant neighbor, and I have to keep little
+Tommy in the house all the time for fear the brute will seize him. Then,
+beside that, the bear has carried off some of Mr. Bailey's (that's the
+man my husband works for) pigs, and has so frightened his family that
+Mr. Bailey said he would give us twenty dollars for the hide of every
+bear we brought him."
+
+"I hope it may be your fortune to shoot all in the woods," said Sam, as
+he bade her good-day again, and passed out and across the clearing into
+the forest.
+
+"That's about the bravest woman I ever saw," said the lad to himself, as
+he moved thoughtfully in the direction of the limestone-rock, where it
+was agreed the three should meet to spend the night; "she ought to win,
+and if this crowd of bear hunters succeed in bagging the old fellow we
+will present him to her."
+
+The thought was a pleasing one to Sam, who walked a short way farther,
+when he added, with a grim smile, "But I don't think that bear will lose
+any night's sleep on account of being disturbed by _this_ crowd."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+BOWSER PROVES HIMSELF OF SOME USE.
+
+
+Sam Harper saw, from the position of the sun in the heavens, that he had
+stayed longer than he intended to in the cabin, and the short afternoon
+was drawing to a close.
+
+He therefore moved at a brisk walk for a quarter of a mile, Bowser
+trotting at his heels as though he thought such a laborious gait
+uncalled for; but, as the lad then observed that the large limestone was
+not far away, he slackened his pace, and sat down on a fallen tree to
+rest.
+
+"This is a queer sort of a hunt," he said to himself, "and I don't see
+what chance there is of any one of us three doing anything at all.
+Bowser isn't worth a copper to hunt with; all there was in him expended
+itself when he chased the buck and let it get away from him--hallo,
+Bowser, what's the matter with you?"
+
+The hound just then began acting as though he felt the slighting
+remarks of his master, and meant to make him sorry therefor.
+
+He uttered several sharp yelps and began circling around the fallen tree
+on which Sam was sitting. He went with what might be called a nervous
+gallop, frequently turning about and circumnavigating the lad and the
+log in the opposite direction.
+
+All the time he kept up his barking and demonstrations, now and then
+running up to Sam, galloping several paces away, and then looking toward
+him and barking again with great vigor.
+
+Sam watched his antics with amusement and interest.
+
+"He acts as though he wanted me to follow him from this spot, though I
+cannot understand why he wants me to do that, since he is so lazy he
+would be glad to lie down and stay here till morning."
+
+Studying the maneuvers of the hound, Sam became satisfied that the brute
+was seeking to draw him away from the fallen tree on which he was
+sitting.
+
+The dog became more excited every minute. He trotted back and forth,
+running up to his young master and then darting off again, looking
+appealingly toward Sam, who finally saw that his actions meant something
+serious.
+
+"I don't know why he wishes me to leave, but he has some reason for it,
+and I will try to find out."
+
+Sam slowly rose from the fallen oak tree on which he was sitting, and as
+he did so his cap fairly lifted from his head with terror.
+
+He caught the glint and scintillation in the sunlight of something on
+the ground on the other side of the trunk, and separated from him only
+by the breadth thereof, at the same instant that his ear detected the
+whirring rattle which told the fact that an immense rattlesnake had
+coiled itself therefor, and had just given its warning signal that it
+meant to strike.
+
+Sam Harper never made such a quick leap in all his life as he did, when
+he bounded several feet from the log, with a yell as if the ground
+beneath him had become suddenly red-hot.
+
+There is nothing on the broad earth which is held in such universal
+abhorrence as a snake, the sight of which sends a shiver of disgust and
+dread over nearly every one that looks upon it.
+
+When Sam sat down on the fallen tree, he was probably almost near enough
+for the coiled _crotalus_ to bury its fangs in him. It reared its head,
+and, without uttering its customary warning, most likely measured the
+intervening space with the purpose of striking.
+
+The instinct of Bowser at this juncture told him of the peril of his
+master, and he began his demonstrations, intended to draw him away from
+the spot. At the same time, his barking, and trotting back and forth,
+diverted the attention of the rattlesnake to the hound, and thereby
+prevented him striking the unsuspicious boy.
+
+It must have been, also, that during these few minutes the serpent
+vibrated his tail more than once, for the nature of the reptile leads
+him to do so; but the sound could not have been very loud, as it failed
+to attract the attention of Sam until he rose from the log and turned
+partly about.
+
+The boy moved around the head of the fallen tree, so as to place
+himself on the same side with the rattlesnake, and then he spent a
+minute or two in contemplating him at that safe distance.
+
+He was a large one, with sixteen rattles and a button. He lay coiled in
+several perfect rings, with his tail softly vibrating and his head
+thrown back, as if he expected his enemy to come nigh enough for him to
+bury his curved needle-like fangs in some portion of his body, injecting
+his poison, so deadly that nothing could have saved the boy from dying
+within a few minutes.
+
+The first natural feeling which comes over one when he sees a crawling
+snake is to kill it, and Sam Harper did not wait long before yielding to
+his inclination.
+
+Standing less than a rod distant, he brought his gun to his shoulder,
+and sighted at the head of the venomous reptile, which was held almost
+stationary, while the crimson tongue darted in and out as if it were a
+tiny spray of blood.
+
+The aim was true, and the head was shattered as though the cartridge
+had exploded within it. The body made a few furious writhings and
+struggles, and then became still.
+
+Sam viewed the ruin he had wrought for a minute or so, and then,
+appreciating the service his dog had wrought him, he turned and patted
+the animal.
+
+"You're a fine dog, Bowser, and I forgive you for being good for
+nothing."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+FACE TO FACE.
+
+
+Herbert Watrous, when he separated from his companions on that balmy
+afternoon in Indian summer, assumed a loftiness of bearing which was far
+from genuine.
+
+The fact was, he felt dissatisfied with himself, or rather with the
+rifle which his indulgent father had presented to him only a few weeks
+before.
+
+"I don't like the way the thing behaves," he said, as he stopped to
+examine it; "father paid one hundred and twenty-five dollars for it, and
+it was warranted the best. It's pretty hard to hit a deer a quarter of a
+mile off, but I ought to have brought down that squirrel which was only
+a hundred feet distant."
+
+He turned the weapon over and over in his hand, looked down the barrel,
+tried the hammer and trigger, carefully examined the wind-gauge and
+vernier rear-sights, but could not see that anything was out of order.
+
+"I'm afraid it was my fault," he said, with a sigh, "but it will never
+do to let the boys know it. I'll insist that I struck the buck, though
+I'm afraid I didn't."
+
+After going a little ways he noticed he was walking over a path which
+was not marked very distinctly; it was, in fact, the route which Mr.
+Fred Fowler, the industrious dweller in the log cabin, had worn for
+himself in going to and from his work.
+
+"That's lucky," said the lad, "for it's much easier traveling over a
+path like that than tramping among the trees, where you have to walk
+twice as far as there is any need of--confound it!"
+
+This impatient remark was caused by a protruding branch, which just then
+caught Herbert under the chin and almost lifted him off his feet.
+
+The boy was sensible enough to understand that his failure to display
+any good marksmanship was due to his own want of practice rather than to
+any fault of his piece.
+
+"That Nick Ribsam can beat me out of my boots; I never heard of such a
+thing as 'barking' a squirrel till he showed me how it is done, and he
+used a gun that is older than himself. Well, Nick was always smarter
+than other boys; he is younger than I, and I have taken sparring lessons
+of the best teachers in the country, while he never heard of such a
+thing as science in using his fists; but he just sailed into me that
+day, and the first thing I knew he had me down, and was banging himself
+on me so hard that I have never got over the flattening out--hallo!"
+
+A gray squirrel, flirting its bushy tail, whisked across the path in
+front of him that moment, scampered up a hickory and perched itself near
+the top, where it offered the best chance for a shot that one could
+wish.
+
+"Now I'll see what I can do," muttered Herbert, sighting at the saucy
+little fellow, who seemed to be ridiculing his purpose of reaching it
+with a bullet at such a height.
+
+The young hunter aimed with great care, pressed the trigger, and, as the
+sharp report rang through the woods, the squirrel came tumbling to the
+ground, with its skull shattered.
+
+Herbert Watrous was surprised and delighted, scarcely believing in his
+own success. He picked up the slain rodent and saw that its destruction
+had been caused by the bullet he fired.
+
+"That's business," he exclaimed, with a thrill of pride; "but why
+couldn't I shoot that way when Nick and Sam were looking at me? I know
+how the thing is done now, and when we get together I'll give them some
+lessons in marksmanship."
+
+He left the squirrel on the ground, but had not gone far when a new idea
+struck him and he came back, picked it up, and put it in his game-bag.
+
+"If I show them a squirrel, they can't help believing that I shot him."
+
+The serious question which Herbert had been discussing with himself,
+ever since being alone, was what he would do if he should happen to come
+upon the bear. He had not quite so much confidence in his gun as he had
+when he started out, though the shooting of the squirrel brought back
+considerable of his natural assurance.
+
+The conclusion he reached was that it would be just as well if he and
+bruin did not meet. Excellent as was his Remington, it was not a
+repeating rifle, and he was afraid that one shot, even if well aimed,
+would not be enough.
+
+"If I had a Henry, which shoots sixteen shots in sixteen seconds, I
+could fill him so full of lead that he couldn't run fast enough to
+overtake me if I didn't happen to kill him."
+
+But the Henry, which he desired so much, was beyond his reach, and it
+was idle to wish for it.
+
+Accordingly, he slung his gun over his shoulder in true sportsman style,
+and strode along the path until the greater part of the distance was
+passed, when, like his friends, he found a fallen tree at a convenient
+spot and sat down for a rest.
+
+Herbert, in his luxurious home in the city, had become accustomed to
+irregular hours, so that it was now the most natural thing in the world
+for him to fall asleep and not open his eyes until he shivered with
+cold and it was growing dark around him.
+
+He started up in no little surprise, and, recalling where he was,
+hastened along the path toward the camp.
+
+"They'll be worried almost to death about me," was his thought, "and I
+shouldn't wonder if they start out to hunt me up. Ah!"
+
+The reverberating report of a rifle came from the direction of the
+limestone rock, and he felt no doubt that it was meant as a signal to
+direct him.
+
+Herbert replied by firing his own gun in the air and shouting that he
+was coming. He did not forget to place another cartridge in his rifle,
+for, truth to tell, he was a little nervous over this lonely tramp
+through the woods at such a late hour.
+
+He listened, and heard the answering shout of Sam Harper, and,
+communication being thus established, Herbert held his peace and
+hastened forward as best he could in the faint moonlight.
+
+"I hope I won't meet any sort of game now," was the wish of the lad,
+"for I am in a hurry to join the boys--"
+
+Could he believe his eyes!
+
+He had hardly given expression to the wish, when a dark mass loomed up
+to sight directly ahead of him, and he plainly saw the gleam and glow of
+a pair of frightful eyes fixed upon him. He was sure, too, that he had
+heard the threatening growl of the monster, which might well believe he
+had the youngster in his power.
+
+"It's the bear, as sure as I'm alive!" gasped Herbert. "There's no
+getting away from him! Heaven save me from missing, for if my gun fails
+me now, it is all over! He won't give me time to climb a tree, and I
+_must_ shoot!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+THE "VACANT CHAIR."
+
+
+It is hard to imagine a more trying situation than that of Master
+Herbert Watrous, who, while walking along a path in the woods, saw by
+the faint moonlight what he believed to be the figure of an enormous
+black bear, sitting on its haunches, and waiting for him to move either
+forward or backward before springing upon him.
+
+He shuddered with fear, but, with a courage hardly to be expected in his
+case, he drew up his rifle, sighted as best he could, and fired
+point-blank at the brute, when no more than a rod separated the two.
+
+It was impossible to miss, even with such an unsteady aim, and the lad
+had not a particle of doubt that he had hit him; but had he inflicted a
+mortal wound?
+
+Without waiting an unnecessary second, Herbert flung out the shell of
+the cartridge and placed a new one in the breech. His hands trembled so
+that he could hardly keep from dropping it, but he succeeded better than
+would have been supposed.
+
+Once more the gun was raised, and the leaden missile was buried in the
+dark object.
+
+But it did not stir, and the amazed lad was transfixed. What did it
+mean?
+
+"I'll give him another, and if that don't answer--"
+
+From out the gloom in front he discerned a figure advancing upon him,
+but a second glance showed that it was a man instead of a wild animal.
+
+"Hallo, my friend? what are you firing at?"
+
+The voice was such a cheery one that the courage of Herbert instantly
+came back, and it may be said that he was never gladder in all his life
+to see a person.
+
+"Why, I thought that was a wild animal--that is, a bear, in the path in
+front of me; what is it?"
+
+The man laughed heartily.
+
+"The path makes a little bend right there, so it is not in, but beside
+the path; it is an oak stump on which you have been wasting your lead."
+
+"But those glaring eyes--"
+
+"That is fox-fire, which does look odd in the night-time."
+
+"But I heard it growling."
+
+"Be assured it was all imagination, my young friend; there is no bear or
+wild animal near us--at least he hasn't shown himself yet."
+
+"Well, I'm blamed glad to hear it, for there isn't much fun in hunting
+wild beasts when it is too dark to aim well: may I ask how it is you
+happen along here without a gun?"
+
+"I live only a little ways off, and, if you will go back with me, I will
+be glad to entertain you over night."
+
+"I'm obliged to you, but I have two friends who are expecting me, up by
+the rock yonder."
+
+"I judged you belonged to the party, but there is only one of them
+there, unless the other has come since I left. The one named Harper, who
+called at my house this afternoon, is there, and has started his camp
+fire. He is impatient for the others to come in, and asked me to tell
+you, if we met, that he particularly wished you to 'hurry up your
+cakes'--I suppose you know what that means."
+
+"I do, and will bid you good-night."
+
+They exchanged pleasant greetings, and separated, each to pursue his own
+way.
+
+Herbert was anxious to join his friends; for the fact that he had fired
+into a stump, under the belief that it was a bear, was no proof that the
+dreaded quadruped was not somewhere in the neighborhood.
+
+As the path, which he was able to keep without difficulty, led by the
+rock where the three lads were to meet, he had not gone far when he
+caught the starlike twinkle of a point of light, which told him he was
+not far from camp.
+
+"Hallo, Sam, are you there?" called out Herbert, while yet a
+considerable distance off.
+
+"Yes. What makes you so late?" was the impatient response and question.
+
+Without pausing to reply, Herbert hurried forward and a few minutes
+later joined Sam Harper, who had a large fire going, and had broiled a
+squirrel and a rabbit, both of which were in fine condition.
+
+"Where's Nick?" asked Sam, as soon as he saw the youth was alone.
+
+"How should I know anything about him? I haven't seen him since we
+parted."
+
+"It's mighty queer, any way you may look at it; Nick is always the most
+prompt to keep any bargain he made, and I haven't seen anything of him
+for hours. He ought to have been here the very first."
+
+"Have you signaled to him?"
+
+"I have fired off my gun, and shouted and whistled till my cheeks ache,
+and I haven't had the first show of an answer."
+
+The manner in which these disheartening words were uttered showed that
+Sam Harper was ill at ease, not so much over the continued absence of
+Nick, as from his utter silence. It was fully understood by all, that,
+if anything happened to either one, he was to signal immediately to the
+others.
+
+Neither Herbert nor Sam had heard Nick's rifle, though it might have
+been discharged without recognition by them.
+
+Herbert had been asleep so long that he could have missed the report
+very readily, while Sam was so far from Nick that the sound of his gun
+could have been mistaken for that fired by some wandering hunter,
+unknown to either.
+
+Every few minutes, Sam halloed or whistled, after Nick's favorite manner
+of signaling, and then the two bent their heads and listened for the
+answer, which came not.
+
+The broiled game remained untasted, for Sam's appetite was suspended,
+and Herbert refused to eat while his companion was in such mental
+trouble.
+
+"There's no use of talking," finally exclaimed Sam, unable to repress
+his uneasiness, "something has gone wrong with Nick, and I'm bound to
+find out what it is."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+HUNTING A BUCK.
+
+
+It will be remembered that when Nick Ribsam left his companions, early
+in the afternoon, it was with the resolution to find out whether the
+showy shot made by Herbert Watrous at the buck, had done the execution
+he claimed for it.
+
+This forced him to make a much longer detour than did Sam Harper, and,
+as he was obliged to move with great caution, he found no time to sit
+down and rest or sleep.
+
+The more he reflected on the exploit which Herbert attempted, the more
+did he doubt it.
+
+"I suppose they hit a target a mile off, as Sam told me; but that is
+when they know the exact distance. No person can hit a deer a quarter of
+a mile away, unless he does it by chance. Herbert proved he can't shoot
+anything close to him, and it isn't likely he hit the deer by accident,
+for such accidents don't happen unless it's a person that you don't
+want to hurt."
+
+But he had started out to find the truth of the matter, and it was in
+accordance with his disposition to do so, if it was possible.
+
+Nick knew that if the buck which they had seen was anywhere in the
+neighborhood, it was necessary to proceed with extreme caution to avoid
+giving alarm. The wonder was that it had shown itself after the fright
+caused by the dog.
+
+The drowsy autumn afternoon was well advanced when the boy saw, from his
+surroundings, that he was close to the spot where the deer stood when
+Herbert fired at it with his long-range rifle. There was the rock, but
+the animal was invisible.
+
+Just beyond was an oak which had been upturned by some wrenching tornado
+or storm. The roots protruded upward and from the sides, the dirt still
+clinging to them, so that the bottom spread out like a fan.
+
+The base of the trunk lay flat on the ground, but the branching limbs
+supported the top to that extent that it was raised five or six feet
+from the earth. Consequently, it sloped away in an incline from the
+crested summit to the base.
+
+Such a sight is not unusual in any forest, for it is the general fashion
+of trees to fall that way; but Nick was struck by the evident fact that,
+although the oak was uprooted, as it is termed, yet enough connection
+with the ground remained to afford nourishment, and to keep life within
+it.
+
+He started toward it, but had moved only a few steps when a slight
+rustling in the undergrowth arrested his attention. Stopping short he
+looked about him, and, with an amazement which can hardly be imagined,
+saw the buck within fifty feet of him.
+
+He was in a clump of undergrowth, and was browsing on some tender
+shoots. His position was such that his side was toward Nick, who first
+caught sight of his antlers above the bushes: and it was a remarkable
+thing that he did not detect the approach of the young hunter, despite
+the caution he used.
+
+The sight was so unexpected that Nick was taken aback, and had a spasm
+of that nervous affection which sometimes seizes the inexperienced
+hunter, and is known as "buck fever."
+
+Knowing that the game would bound away with the speed of the wind the
+instant he scented danger, the lad brought up his rifle and pointed at
+him.
+
+Poor Nick shook as if he had a chill; it was impossible to control his
+nerves; but, aiming as best he could, he fired. The deer was "hit hard,"
+though not so hard as young Ribsam meant and most ardently desired.
+
+Dropping the breech of his gun, Nick looked to see the result of his
+shot, and found it amazing to a startling degree.
+
+The buck, which was a noble fellow, stopped browsing, and, with his head
+thrown high in air, looked around to learn where his assailant was.
+Catching sight of the staring lad, the animal emitted a furious sniff
+and charged upon him at full speed.
+
+This is a most unusual thing for a deer to do, though many a hunter has
+been killed by a wounded buck or moose, who has turned upon and attacked
+him with the fury of a tiger.
+
+[Illustration: "He turned on his heel and ran with might and main for
+the fallen tree."]
+
+Nick Ribsam thought it very singular, but he thought it very alarming
+as well, and, without waiting to watch matters further, he turned on his
+heel and ran with might and main for the fallen tree.
+
+The lusty youngster was a good runner, but the buck made three times as
+much speed as he "went for him," with head lowered like a charging bull.
+
+Nick had to think fast, but fast as he thought he couldn't see how the
+fallen oak was to offer him refuge against the fury of the animal, and,
+unless it did so, he was in a bad predicament.
+
+It was impossible to reach any tree in time to climb out of reach, as
+Nellie did when pursued by the bear, and the highest portion of the
+prostrate trunk would not protect him from the antlers of the savage
+buck.
+
+There was no use for the empty rifle as it seemed, and Nick was on the
+point of throwing it away, when it occurred to him that it might still
+serve as a weapon of defense.
+
+"I will club it and see what can be done."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+HUNTED BY A BUCK.
+
+
+Glancing over his shoulder, Nick Ribsam kept informed of the movements
+of his fierce foe, who was certainly carrying things with a hurricane
+rush.
+
+Finding there was no getting away from him, Nick, just as he reached the
+fallen tree, whirled around and, grasping his rifle by the barrel, swung
+the stock back over his shoulder and poised himself for the blow, which
+he believed must decide his own fate.
+
+The boy made a formidable-looking picture; but it was all lost on the
+buck, which did not halt nor slacken his pace.
+
+It was a terrifying sight as he plunged toward the lad with lowered head
+and glowering front, for the deer was an exceptionally large and
+powerful one, and he meant to kill the individual that had sent the
+bullet into his side, and from which the red blood was already
+streaming.
+
+It may be said just here, that Nick Ribsam no longer doubted the
+failure of the long-range shot of Herbert Watrous.
+
+The imperiled lad drew a deep respiration, poised himself on his
+advanced foot, and, swinging to one side, with a view of avoiding the
+full force of the charge, he brought down the stock of his gun with the
+utmost strength he could command.
+
+It descended with great power--so far as a ten-year-old boy is
+concerned--but it was not sufficient to throw the buck off his base nor
+to interfere with his plan of procedure.
+
+He struck the lad with tremendous force, sending the gun flying from his
+grasp and knocking Nick fully a dozen feet. Never in all his life had
+the boy received such a terrific shock, which drove the breath from his
+body and sent him spinning, as it seemed, through twenty yards of space.
+
+Poor Nick believed half his bones were broken and that he was mortally
+hurt; but the result of the charge was most extraordinary.
+
+As the antlers of the buck struck him he was thrown like a limp dummy
+toward the fallen tree, and, in reality, his greatest peril was
+therefrom. Had he been driven with full momentum against the solid
+trunk, he would have been killed as if smitten by a lightning stroke.
+
+But his feet were entangled in some way and he fell headlong, his
+forehead within a few inches of the bark, and his head itself was driven
+under the trunk, which at that point was perhaps a foot above the
+ground.
+
+Instinctively the nearly senseless lad did the only thing that could
+save him. He crawled under the trunk, so that it stood like a roof over
+him.
+
+His head was toward the base, and he pushed along until the lessening
+space would not permit him to go further.
+
+Thus he lay parallel with the uprooted tree, his feet at a point where
+the bark almost touched his heels, the space growing less and less
+toward his shoulders, until the back of his head rested against the
+shaggy bark and his nose touched the leaves.
+
+He had scarcely done this when he heard a thud at his elbow: it was
+made by the knife-like hoofs of the buck, who, rearing on his hind
+legs, gathered his two front ones close together and brought them down
+with such force that, had they fallen on the body of the lad, as was
+intended, they would have cut into him like the edge of a powerfully
+driven ax.
+
+As it was, the shielding tree trunk prevented it, and, grazing the bark,
+they were driven into the yielding earth half a foot deep.
+
+The buck immediately reared and repeated the terrible blow several
+times, missing the body of the lad by what may be called a hair's
+breadth.
+
+The animal was in a fury, and, believing his foe was at his mercy, he
+showed him none.
+
+Nick heard the first thump of the sharp hoofs as they cut their way into
+the earth, and then his head seemed to spin, as though he had been
+whirled around with inconceivable velocity; innumerable stars danced
+before his eyes, he felt as if shooting through space, and then
+consciousness left him.
+
+The buck could know nothing of this, and, had he known it, his actions
+would not have been affected. He continued his rearing and plunging
+until he saw he was inflicting no injury. Then he stopped, backed off
+several paces, and, lowering his head, tried to dislodge the lad from
+his place of refuge.
+
+But the breadth of his antlers prevented success, which would have
+placed Nick just where he could finish him. The oak barred his progress,
+stopping the head and horns when they were almost against the body.
+
+Then the buck reared and struck again, trying all manner of maneuvers
+which his instinct suggested, but providentially none of them succeeded.
+
+All this time Nick Ribsam, who had been so badly bruised, was oblivious
+of the efforts against his life. Had he possessed his faculties, he
+could not have done anything more for his protection than he did, by
+lying motionless, extended along and below the trunk of the oak.
+
+But the lusty, rugged nature of the lad soon asserted itself, and he
+began rallying from the shock. A reaction gradually set in, and slowly
+his senses returned.
+
+It was a considerable time, however, before he realized where he was
+and what had befallen him. His head was still ringing, as though the
+clangor of a hundred anvils were sounding in his ears, and, when he drew
+a deep breath, a pain, as if made by a knife, was in his side.
+
+He listened, but heard nothing of his enemy. Then, with a great labor
+and more suffering, he pushed himself a few inches backward, so as to
+give some freedom to his body and to enable him to move his head.
+
+Turning his face, he peered out on his right: the buck was not visible
+in that direction.
+
+Then he did the same toward the left: his enemy was invisible on that
+side also.
+
+"He is gone," said the lad to himself, still afraid to venture from the
+shielding trunk that had been the means of saving him from the fury of
+the enraged deer.
+
+Nick believed he was close at hand, waiting for him to make a move that
+would give another chance to assault him.
+
+After several more minutes, the lad hitched farther backward, so that he
+was able to raise his head a few inches. This extended his field of
+observation, and, with a feeling of inexpressible relief, he still
+failed to catch sight of the game.
+
+"I guess he got discouraged and left," said Nick, startled at the
+evidences of the buck's wrath so near him.
+
+Finally the lad backed clear out from under the tree, and climbed to his
+feet; it was climbing in every sense, for he nearly cried with pain
+several times, and, still fearful that he had been seriously injured, he
+examined himself as best he could.
+
+A few minutes convinced him that none of his bones was broken, although
+he afterward declared that he suspected his head had been fractured.
+
+He now looked about for his gun and found it within a short distance,
+much scratched by the hard treatment it had received, but without any
+real injury.
+
+Throwing the weapon over his shoulder, he started in the direction of
+the appointed rendezvous, and, as he did so, observed that it was
+already grown dark in the woods. Night had come, and he had quite a long
+distance to walk.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE.
+
+
+But Nick Ribsam was full of grit, and, though every step he took caused
+him pain, he persevered with that grim resolution that was a part of his
+nature from his very birth.
+
+After walking some distance he found the soreness and stiffness leaving
+him, and he straightened up with something of his natural vim and
+elasticity of spirits.
+
+"There's one thing certain," he added, recalling his encounter with the
+buck, "I didn't have any one to help me out of that scrape, except the
+One who always helps him that helps himself; but I never wanted a friend
+more than then, and, if it hadn't been for that oak, it would have been
+the last of Nicholas Ribsam."
+
+"There is another thing I have learned," he added, with that glimmer of
+humor which was sure to show itself, "I know considerable more than I
+did yesterday; I have a good idea of how it feels when a wounded buck
+_raises_ you, and, after this, I won't shoot one of the creatures unless
+I'm sure of making a better shot than I did a while ago--hallo!"
+
+Well might he utter the last exclamation, for at that moment he came
+upon the dead body of the buck, lying as he had fallen on the earth,
+when at last he succumbed to the wound received at the hands of Nick
+himself.
+
+The boy stopped to examine it, for he was much impressed by the
+discovery.
+
+"That came very near ending in the death of us both: nothing but the oak
+saved me. I wonder whether I am going right."
+
+He raised his head from his examination, and looked about him, but he
+was without the means of judging whether he was following the proper
+direction or not. When leaving the scene of his encounter with the deer,
+he had taken the course that seemed to be right, without pausing until
+he could make himself certain in the matter.
+
+This is pretty sure, in a majority of cases, to lead one astray, but it
+so happened with Nick that he headed in a bee-line for the camp, where
+the impatient Sam Harper was awaiting him.
+
+But the error came afterward: he toiled forward without any guide, and
+soon began to turn to the left, so that he was in reality moving on the
+circumference of a large circle, without suspecting how much he wandered
+from the true course.
+
+This peculiar mistake is made by many who are lost in the wilderness,
+and is supposed to be due to the fact that everybody is either right or
+left handed, instead of being ambidextrous as we all ought to be.
+
+One side of the body being stronger than the other, we unconsciously
+exert the limb on that side the most, and swerve from a straight line,
+unless we have something to direct in the shape of a landmark or
+guiding-post.
+
+It was not until Nick had gone a long ways out of the right course that
+he suspected his error: the appearance of the camp fire which Sam Harper
+had kindled, was what led him to stop and make the best investigation he
+could.
+
+There was little else he could appeal to, and he was in doubt as to
+whether that had not been kindled by some other party; but fortunately,
+while he was debating the matter, he caught the faint but distinct
+signal of his friend, who was on the point of starting out to look for
+him.
+
+Nick replied, and in the course of half an hour had joined Sam and
+Herbert by the fire.
+
+They were relieved beyond expression to see the figure of the sturdy
+little fellow, as he emerged from the gloom, and took his seat around
+the camp fire.
+
+They noticed that he limped, and knew something unusual must have taken
+place to delay him. He had the most attentive of listeners when he
+related his dangerous encounter with the buck, which came so nigh ending
+his life.
+
+But, happily, he had come out without any serious injury, and the lads
+attacked their supper with the keenest of appetites.
+
+"The reason the buck did not kill you," said Herbert, "was because he
+was disabled by the wound I gave him."
+
+"He was struck by one bullet only, and that one was mine," said Nick,
+who saw no sense in deferring to the absurd claims of the youth.
+
+"Possibly not, but we shall have to examine his carcass to make sure of
+that."
+
+"I don't believe we shall have much time to look after dead deer," said
+Sam, "for I believe we are in the neighborhood of the very bear we're
+looking for."
+
+His friends turned toward him for an explanation of this remark, which
+was uttered with all seriousness.
+
+"Bowser has been acting very queer for the last half-hour."
+
+"I think he has acted queer all day," observed Nick.
+
+"I did not consider him of much account until he saved me from the
+rattlesnake this afternoon; after that, I'm ready to believe he's got a
+good deal more sense than you are willing to think."
+
+Then Sam told his story, and added that the hound had left the vicinity
+of the fire several times, and, going some distance in the woods, had
+come back, giving utterance to a peculiar whine. At the same time he
+looked up in the face of his master with much the same expression as he
+did when seeking to warn him of his danger from the poisonous serpent.
+
+"There he goes now!" suddenly exclaimed Sam; "just watch him!"
+
+Bowser had been stretched out near enough to the fire to receive much of
+its warmth, and appeared to be asleep. All at once he threw up his head
+and sniffed the air, as though he scented something; then he rose, with
+a low whine, and trotted straight out in the gloom.
+
+The lads listened attentively for some sound from him, but all remained
+still. At the end of ten minutes he came trotting to view again, and
+walked straight up to his master, looked up in his face, wagging his
+tail, and whined again.
+
+"You can depend on it," said Sam, "he has made some discovery, though I
+have no idea what it is."
+
+"Let's follow him and find out."
+
+It was Nick Ribsam who made the proposal; the others were inclined to
+hold back, but the plucky little fellow insisted, and it was agreed that
+Bowser's secret should be learned by keeping him company to the spot
+which he visited.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK.
+
+
+The three boys had scarcely agreed to the proposition to follow the
+hound, when Bowser, as if he understood their intention, rose from the
+ground where he had been lying, close to the camp fire, looked sharply
+out in the gloom of the surrounding woods, and then moved along the same
+course he had taken several times before.
+
+He did not trot, but walked with a deliberate gait, as if he felt the
+importance of being the leader of such a party.
+
+"It must be a wild animal," said Sam, in an undertone, "or Bowser
+wouldn't act that way."
+
+"It's the bear, of course; see that your guns are ready, and when you
+fire be sure you don't miss," warned Herbert.
+
+An idea suddenly occurred to Nick Ribsam.
+
+"All wild animals are afraid of fire: let's each take a torch to keep
+him off."
+
+The others eagerly caught up a blazing brand and strode forward with
+more confidence than ever.
+
+Herbert Watrous, who was sensible that he had not made such an
+exhibition before the others as he desired, placed himself at the head
+of the little company.
+
+He hardly would have done this, had he not been certain that the flaming
+brands would act as a shield to keep away the wild animal, whatever its
+nature.
+
+Each lad found it a little awkward to carry his loaded and cocked rifle
+in one hand and the flaming stick of wood in the other. It cannot be
+said there was any special difficulty in the task itself, but if a
+crisis came the boy would have to surrender one of his weapons.
+
+The young hunters formed a picturesque group as they moved forward in
+Indian file, each holding a burning torch above his head and swinging it
+so as to keep the blaze going, while his gun was trailed in the other
+hand.
+
+The hound Bowser was at the head, Herbert Watrous next, Sam Harper
+followed, and Nick Ribsam, who still limped slightly, brought up the
+rear.
+
+The hound showed an intelligence which would have been surprising but
+for his action respecting the rattlesnake. He kept on a slow walk, so as
+not to leave his friends, and now and then looked at them, as if to make
+sure they were not trying to shrink from an important duty.
+
+"Keep your torches going," called out Herbert, in a husky whisper, as he
+swung his own so vigorously that a large piece dropped off, and, falling
+on his foot, caused him to leap up with an exclamation of affright.
+
+The fact was, they had gone no more than a hundred feet from the camp
+fire when Herbert began to feel that he had not shown enough care in
+picking out his torch, for the blaze was feeble, and, in spite of
+continued nursing, showed a tendency to collapse altogether.
+
+"Keep close to me, boys," he said, waiting for Sam to come still nearer,
+"for I don't like the way this torch is behaving; I believe it is going
+out altogether, and I think I'll get a better--"
+
+"_Look out! there he is now!_" exclaimed Sam, in no little excitement.
+
+As he uttered the warning words, Bowser turned squarely about and ran
+back to where his master had halted with the smoking torch, and crouched
+at his feet, whining and appealing for protection against some enemy.
+
+Just then a savage sniff was heard, followed instantly by the sound of
+hoofs, as the unknown animal charged upon Herbert Watrous, who was
+whirling his half-expired torch around his head with such swiftness that
+it made a ring of fire, similar to those which all boys delight to look
+upon during the pyrotechnic displays on the Fourth of July.
+
+Herbert was so impressed with the importance of this action, that he
+threw all his energy in it, stooping down and rising on his tip-toes
+with the motion of the torch, and grunting hard and with much
+regularity, as he always did when exerting himself with unusual vigor.
+
+He caught the warning cry of Sam and the rattle of the hoofs at the same
+instant.
+
+"_Shoot him! Shoot him!_" he shouted to his friends, who could not gain
+the view of the beast necessary to make the shot safe for Herbert
+himself.
+
+The savage creature, from some reason, probably because the torch was
+less formidable, made for the city youth, who was not aware of his
+danger until too late.
+
+The brute went directly between his outspread feet, and, lifting him on
+his back, carried him several paces, when Herbert, his gun, torch, and
+himself, mixed up in great confusion, rolled off backward, turning a
+partial somersault and landing solidly on his head, his gun going off in
+the confusion and adding to it.
+
+Sam Harper threw down his torch, so as to use his rifle, but he saw
+Herbert's dilemma and waited the chance to shoot without danger of
+harming him; but the partial extinguishment of his own torch, and the
+total blotting out of Herbert's, rendered the risk still greater.
+
+While he stood, with gun partly raised and hand on the trigger, Herbert
+rolled off, but Sam had not time to catch the fact when the beast shot
+between his legs, and he felt himself lifted off his feet and fairly
+whizzing through the air.
+
+Nick Ribsam's torch was burning brightly and illuminated the whole
+scene. He was in a stooping position, holding his flaming brand so he
+could see everything, and he was laughing so hard that he could hardly
+keep from falling to the ground from weakness.
+
+He had recognized the animal, which they had held in such terror, as a
+large hog that had doubtless wandered in the woods so long with his
+mates, eating the acorns and nuts fallen from the trees, that he was
+half wild and ready to attack any one who came near him.
+
+The hog was a lank, bony fellow, with great strength and swiftness of
+gait, and, like his fiercer brother the wild boar of Europe, he
+possessed undoubted courage.
+
+"Well, if that ain't the funniest sight I ever saw!" roared Nick,
+bending himself almost double with laughter; "we thought it was a bear,
+and I guess Herbert and Sam are sure it is a royal Bengal tiger or mad
+elephant--"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+WAS IT A JOKE?
+
+
+At that instant, Nick Ribsam felt himself suddenly lifted in air and
+spinning forward with great speed on the back of the vigorous hog, which
+plunged between his rather short legs.
+
+The astounded lad instantly stopped laughing, and, dropping his gun and
+torch, grasped at something to sustain himself against the peril, the
+nature of which he could hardly guess.
+
+The hog had struck him from the front, so that Nick was seated in
+reverse position on his back. The object which he grasped was the spiral
+tail of the animal, but, before he could make his grip certain, the
+porker swerved so suddenly to one side that Nick rolled off and bumped
+against a tree.
+
+His body was not hurt to one half the extent that his feelings were, for
+he heard Sam Harper roaring with mirth, loud enough to be heard half a
+mile; and as Nick hastily clambered upon his feet, he was certain
+Herbert's cracked laugh was also rending the night air.
+
+The porker, having made the round and paid his tribute to each member of
+the company in turn, whisked off into the woods, with a triumphant
+grunt, as if to say, "I guess you folks and your dog will let me alone
+now."
+
+As soon as the boys found their guns, and restored two of the torches to
+a blaze, they looked at each other and gave way to their unrestrained
+mirth for several minutes before they could speak so as to be
+understood.
+
+Never had a pompous expedition ended more ignobly: they had started out
+to attack a fierce black bear, and unexpectedly were overturned by a
+large-sized pig, which resented the interference with his slumber.
+
+Some naturalists maintain that many animals possess a sense of the
+humorous, and it looked as though the sluggish Bowser enjoyed the joke
+as much as did the victims; for, when the latter made their way back to
+the camp fire, they saw the hound stretched out close to the warm blaze
+with his head between his paws and apparently asleep; but, watching him
+closely, he was seen to open one of his eyes, just a little ways, and,
+surveying them a minute, he closed it to open again a minute later.
+
+No animal could have said more plainly:
+
+"I've got the joke on you this time, boys, and I'm laughing so hard that
+I can't keep my eyes open."
+
+"I tell you there is a good deal more in the heads of brutes than many
+of us think," said Nick Ribsam, after he had studied the actions of the
+hound; "I believe he wanted to make us believe there was some sort of
+game out there so as to play the fool with us."
+
+"Do you think he foresaw the trick of the hog?" asked Herbert, who was
+rubbing his bruised elbows and knees.
+
+"That would have been impossible, for we could not have foreseen it
+ourselves if we had arranged the joke; he simply meant to mislead us,
+and then we acted the fool for _his_ amusement."
+
+It looked very much as if Nick Ribsam was correct in his supposition,
+and that Bowser enjoyed even more than they the shrewd trick he had
+played on them.
+
+"I suppose there are several hundred hogs wandering through the woods,"
+said Nick, "picking up acorns and nuts that have fallen off the trees,
+and making a good living at it."
+
+"Yes, lots of them have been running wild for weeks and months," added
+Sam, "and when their owners try to gather them in, there will be
+trouble, for it doesn't take hogs long to become savage."
+
+"It didn't take that hog very long, I'm sure," observed Herbert, sitting
+down with care upon the ground.
+
+"But how was it there was but _one_?" asked Sam.
+
+"There wasn't need of any more than one," said Nick; "he had no trouble
+in doing as he pleased with us."
+
+"But hogs go in droves, and you wouldn't be apt to find one of them by
+himself in the woods."
+
+"There were others close by, for I am sure I heard them; but it is a
+little curious that they didn't attack us, for hogs don't know as much
+as dogs, and they had no reason to feel that one of their number was
+more than enough for us."
+
+"I don't see the use in talking about it," remarked Herbert, who gently
+tipped his body to the other side, so as to rest differently on the
+ground; "I am sure I never was so upset in all my life."
+
+"Nor were we," added Nick; "hogs are queer creatures; if a drove finds
+it is going to be attacked by an enemy, the boars will place themselves
+on the outside, with the sows and younger ones within, so as to offer
+the best resistance to the bear or whatever it is, and they will fight
+with great fury. In a wild state, they can run fast, and when the tusks
+of the boars get to be six or eight inches long, as they do in time,
+they are afraid of no animal in the woods."
+
+"How is that?" asked Herbert, again shifting his position with great
+care, but feeling interested in what the lad was telling.
+
+"I suppose because they haven't any reason to be afraid. With those
+frightful tusks curving upward from the lower jaw, and with a strength
+like Sampson in their necks, they can rip up a bear, a tiger, or any
+animal that dare attack them."
+
+"I s'pose they're very strong, Nick?" continued Herbert.
+
+"So strong, indeed, that one of the wild boars in Germany has run under
+the horse of a hunter, and, lifting both clear from the ground, trotted
+fifty yards with them, before the struggling animal could get himself
+loose."
+
+Herbert looked fixedly at the narrator for a moment, then solemnly
+reached out his hand to Sam, for him to shake over the last astounding
+statement, which was altogether too much for him to credit.
+
+Sam Harper grasped the hand and wabbled it once or twice, but said:
+
+"It's as true as gospel, Herbert; I don't know anything about it myself,
+but when Nick Ribsam tells you anything for truth, you can make up your
+mind it is the truth and nothing else."
+
+The friends lay for a long time by the camp fire, talking over the
+events of the day, while Nick Ribsam gave them many wonderful facts
+concerning the various wild animals found in different parts of the
+world. The lad read everything he could obtain relating to natural
+history, and his strong memory retained nearly all the facts.
+
+But, as the night wore on, all three began to feel drowsy, and they made
+ready to sleep.
+
+The arrangements for doing this were not so perfect as they could wish.
+Not one of them had anything like a blanket, and, though it was the time
+of the balmy Indian summer, the nights were quite cold.
+
+There was an abundance of wood around them, and they gathered all they
+could possibly need. Then they heaped up a big lot of leaves and lay
+down as close to each other as possible.
+
+This was the best that could be done; but it gave a great advantage to
+the one who lay in the middle, as the warmth of the others kept him
+comfortable, while they were forced to turn one side to the cold air.
+
+By changing about, however, they got along quite well until past
+midnight, when the pile of leaves caught fire and caused them to leap to
+their feet with so much vigor that the outside ones got sufficiently
+warm to last till daylight.
+
+The friends were glad enough when it began growing red in the east. They
+rose early, washed their hands and faces in the clear brook, which
+flowed near at hand, using their handkerchiefs for towels. Then a rabbit
+and couple of squirrels were shot, and, with the same wolf-like
+appetites, they made a nourishing and substantial meal.
+
+The brook, from which they took a draught of clear, strengthening water,
+lay a short distance to the south of their camp, that is, between it and
+Shark Pond, which they passed the day before.
+
+The three were standing by this stream, considering the best thing to be
+done to get on the track of the bear, when Sam Harper suddenly stopped
+talking and looked fixedly at a point a few yards away. Then he walked
+slowly to it, without removing his gaze, stooped down, and attentively
+scrutinized the ground.
+
+Without speaking, he turned and beckoned to the others to approach.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+THE TRAIL OF THE BEAR.
+
+
+The boys did as directed, and, also stooping down, saw in the soft earth
+near the water the prints of the feet of a large animal, such tracks
+indeed as could have been made only by the bear.
+
+All agreed that it was that much desired and yet dreaded animal, and
+that it was more than likely he had moved to the southward, so that in
+point of fact the hunters and hunted had exchanged relative positions.
+
+Sam sternly directed the attention of Bowser to the trail, and ordered
+him to "look into the matter."
+
+The hound sniffed the ground, ran back and forth several times, and then
+gazed up at his master, as if awaiting further orders.
+
+"I won't stand any such nonsense as that," said his impatient master,
+grasping him by the baggy skin at the back of the neck and giving him
+several sharp blows with a switch.
+
+Bowser yelped and kicked lustily, and, when released, placed his nose to
+the ground, emitted several more cries, and then trotted off, taking a
+direction leading almost directly back over the path Herbert had
+followed the day before.
+
+"He's on the trail _this_ time," said Sam, with restored admiration for
+the hound, "and if he does well, I'll consider him a great deal better
+hunting dog than he has shown himself yet."
+
+In fact, Bowser acted as if anxious to redeem his tainted reputation,
+and, trotting quite briskly, was soon out of sight among the trees, the
+lads hurrying after him.
+
+A few minutes later, the yelping of the hound ceased, but the young
+hunters kept up their pursuit, the fresh trail made by the dog being
+easily followed, as he turned over and rumpled the abundant leaves on
+the ground, so that it was plainly discernible.
+
+"I wonder why he has stopped barking," said Sam.
+
+"I guess he has got tired," was the rather original reply of Herbert,
+who was ready to give information, whether reliable or not.
+
+"Bowser seems to have a way of doing things which is different from
+other dogs--hallo! there he goes again."
+
+The resounding cries of the hound echoed through the woods, seemingly at
+a distance of a half mile, and a little to the east of south.
+
+"I guess he has treed him!" said Herbert, striking into a trot, the
+others doing the same, and very much doubting whether the odd dog had
+ever treed anything in his life.
+
+A short run only was necessary, when, by stopping and listening, they
+learned that the hound was standing instead of running. If he had been a
+regular hunting dog, this fact would have proven that he had brought the
+game to bay.
+
+As respecting Bowser, it was uncertain what it signified.
+
+It did not take the lads long to hurry over the intervening space, when
+they came upon the hound, who was standing under a large red oak,
+looking up and barking with all the vigor he possessed.
+
+"He has treed the bear, I do believe!" exclaimed Sam Harper, breaking
+ahead of the others in his excitement.
+
+Nick Ribsam also thought the indications pointed that way.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+"HELP! HELP!"
+
+
+The belief that they were close upon the bear threw the boys into a
+flutter of excitement, and they walked slowly as they approached the
+tree, up which the hound was barking.
+
+As has been stated, it was what was known as the red oak, very large,
+with branching limbs at no great distance from the ground.
+
+"_I see him!--I see him!_" whispered Herbert, just as he caught his foot
+in a root and pitched forward.
+
+"Where?"
+
+Herbert picked up his hat, muttered something impatient, and then looked
+upward again, and found he was mistaken.
+
+"I thought that big knot up there was the bear," replied the city youth,
+in meeker tones.
+
+The boys slowly circled about the tree again and again, back and forth,
+scrutinizing trunk, limbs, and twigs so closely that a cat could not
+have concealed itself from view.
+
+The result was disheartening: there was no bear in sight.
+
+"May be the trunk is hollow," suggested Sam, "and he has gone into a
+hole."
+
+They struck against the bark, but the sound showed that the wood beneath
+was solid. Besides, an examination of the bark itself failed to bring to
+view the scratching and abrasion that would have been made by a bear in
+going up, and especially in coming down, the trunk.
+
+Bowser, beyond all question, had been "barking up the wrong tree."
+
+"You're a pretty hunting dog, ain't you?" sneered Sam Harper, addressing
+the canine; "come here, that I may give you another switching."
+
+But Bowser wheeled about, and, taking the trail again, trotted to the
+southward, his nose close to the ground, while he bayed at intervals of
+a few seconds.
+
+"The bear ain't far off, you can make up your mind to that," said
+Herbert, still all excitement; "if we keep close to the dog, we'll run
+upon the other pretty soon."
+
+In fact, the youthful Watrous showed such an interest in the sport that
+he forgot the danger which always accompanies it. Had he stopped a
+minute or so to reflect, he would have seen that now was the time for
+the three to stick together, for never was there likely to be an
+occasion which would demonstrate more certainly that in union there is
+strength.
+
+Forgetful of this, Herbert sped forward so fast that in a brief while he
+vanished from view.
+
+Nick shouted to him not to hasten so fast, but the young gentleman was
+not to be checked in that style, and he kept up his flight with
+undiminished speed.
+
+"Let him go, then," said Nick, dropping down to a rapid walk, in which
+Sam joined him; "his legs are so long that he can outrun us both."
+
+"Which is a good thing."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"As soon as he catches sight of the bear, he will turn about and run
+with might and main."
+
+"I'm not so sure of that," remarked Nick, who began to think there was
+more in Herbert than they had suspected.
+
+"He is so anxious to get the animal that he doesn't know the risk he is
+running. The fight you had with the buck yesterday shows what a more
+harmless animal will do when he turns to fight the hunter."
+
+"But Herbert will be likely to wait till we come up to him if he sees
+the bear."
+
+"There's no telling what such a fellow will do when he loses his head;
+the only chance for him is that we may be so close that we can turn in
+and help him."
+
+"Then we had better hurry."
+
+Thereupon the two broke into a run again, which they kept up till pretty
+well tired out.
+
+They could hear Bowser baying at no great distance, and, consequently,
+were sure that Herbert himself was not far off.
+
+"If we three come upon him we ought to be able to kill him without much
+risk to ourselves--that is, if we use any sort of care in taking aim."
+
+"We must try and do that--hark!"
+
+At that instant they were startled by the sharp report of a rifle, the
+distance and direction leaving no doubt that it was fired by Herbert
+Watrous.
+
+Sam and Nick fairly turned pale, and something like a feeling of envy
+came over them at the belief that Herbert, after all his boasting, had
+succeeded in bringing down the royal game without their help.
+
+The shot was fired so close that, as they hastened forward again, they
+expected to come upon the hunter and his game every minute.
+
+"Hallo! what does that mean?"
+
+The question was caused by the sudden appearance of Bowser, who was
+limping toward them in a panic of terror. At every leap he uttered a
+yelp, which was of pain and fear.
+
+The boys stopped, and the hound, running up, crouched down at their
+feet, whining and moaning.
+
+"He is hurt!" said Sam, who noticed that he was bleeding from a wound in
+the shoulder, where the claws of some animal had struck him with great
+force.
+
+"It was done by the bear," said Nick, "and he hit Bowser a hard blow; I
+shouldn't wonder if it kills him."
+
+Sam stooped over the dog and tried to soothe him by patting and speaking
+kind words.
+
+"He is badly hurt, but I hope he isn't going to die. Poor fellow! we
+have been unjust to him; he's a good deal braver dog than we gave him
+credit for."
+
+They were still patting and soothing the wounded hound, when the report
+of Herbert's rifle was heard again. Sam and Nick started up and stared
+in the direction whence the sound came.
+
+"He has got the bear--"
+
+Just then the voice of Herbert was heard ringing through the forest
+arches:
+
+"Quick! quick! help! help! the bear has got me! Hurry up, boys, or I'm a
+goner!"
+
+The lads dashed forward, excited and fearful they would be too late.
+
+The voice of the imperiled hunter rang out again.
+
+"Quick! quick! the bear has got me sure! Hurry boys, hurry, for pity's
+sake!"
+
+The next instant Sam and Nick came upon an extraordinary scene.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+A FRIEND IN NEED.
+
+
+Herbert Watrous had been set upon by a huge bear, and, throwing aside
+his Creedmoor, had run with might and main for a large stump, behind
+which he took refuge. Had he climbed a sapling, he would have been safe,
+but he was too flustered to think of that.
+
+Dodging behind this shelter he squatted down, hoping that his enemy did
+not notice where he had gone; but, when he heard the brute lumbering
+after him, he hastily shifted his quarters to the other side of the
+stump. While doing so, he emitted the ringing cries for help which
+brought his friends in such haste to his rescue.
+
+The situation would have been laughable but for its element of peril.
+Darting to the side of the stump opposite to that of the bear, Herbert
+would drop his head, and then instantly pop up again, like a
+jack-in-the-box, to see what the brute was doing. The latter, it may be
+said, kept things moving.
+
+When Herbert lowered his head and yelled, his voice had a muffled sound,
+as though it came from a distance, but when he shot up in sight, his
+cries were clear and distinct.
+
+The beast, although heavy and awkward of movement, managed to move
+around the stump and to reverse his course with such facility that there
+can be little doubt that he would have caught the lad, had not his
+friends been so prompt to rush to his help.
+
+Sam and Nick felt no disposition to laugh; indeed, they were so
+impressed by the danger that, without exercising the care they would
+have done any other time, and which they meant to show when talking of
+the matter a few minutes before, they raised their guns together and
+fired.
+
+Although the aim was not as deliberate as it should have been, yet both
+bullets struck the bear, though neither inflicted a mortal wound.
+
+The brute stopped short in his circular pursuit, looked confusedly
+about him for a second or two, and then made straight for the lads who
+had fired upon him, just as the buck did in the case of Nick Ribsam.
+
+"Scatter and climb a tree!" called out Nick, who saw they had no chance
+to reload.
+
+Now was the time for Herbert to recover, and reload his gun and to take
+another shot at the brute, so as to draw him off from his hot pursuit of
+the others; but the panic-stricken youth could not realize that the
+danger was removed, and that his terrible foe was bestowing his
+attention elsewhere. He continued calling for help in a louder voice
+than before, believing that every minute would be his last.
+
+Sam Harper whirled about to make for a sapling, but caught his foot in
+an obstruction and fell violently to the ground. Nick was so alarmed
+that he stopped to help him up.
+
+"I'm all right," said Sam, "look out for yourself!"
+
+But Nick could not desert him, until assured he was not mangled by the
+fall, and by that time the bear was too close for them to escape by
+climbing a tree.
+
+It looked as if it would go ill with one at least (for no gun in the
+party was loaded, and the brute was almost upon them), when most
+providentially, but unexpectedly, the report of another rifle broke upon
+their ear, and the bullet reached the heart of the monstrous beast, who
+reared himself on his haunches and used his paws as though trying to
+draw out the splinters which he imagined were thrust into his body.
+
+Then he swerved to one side, sagged heavily to the ground, and then it
+was plain that all was over.
+
+"Are any of you hurt?"
+
+It was the voice of the plucky Mrs. Fowler, who hurried forward with
+anxious face, the smoking rifle in her hands.
+
+Herbert was still peering from behind the stump and shouting himself
+hoarse, with no thought of what had taken place within the last few
+minutes. By and by, however, after he had been called to, he
+comprehended the facts and came forth, when a general explanation
+followed.
+
+Although Herbert would not admit it, there was no doubt that of the two
+shots which he fired at the bear only one touched him, and that only to
+a sufficient extent to graze his body and to draw his attention to the
+young hunter.
+
+Herbert then dropped his gun and made for the stump, which was not a
+secure refuge.
+
+This took place so near the cabin-home of Mrs. Fowler that she heard the
+cries for help, and, taking down her rifle, hurried to the spot,
+arriving just in time to save the other lads from serious danger, if not
+from death.
+
+The boys overwhelmed the brave woman with thanks, and though she
+modestly disclaimed her right to the bear--expressing her belief that
+the two shots they had fired were fatal--they would not listen to it,
+but they turned to, skinned the animal, and presented the hide to her,
+regretting that they had not several others, that her husband might
+collect twenty dollars apiece from Mr. Bailey, his employer.
+
+"This isn't the only bear in the woods," said she, thanking them for
+their kindness; "and some of you will see another before long. But this
+will do for to-day."
+
+They thought so, too; and, swinging their hats in the air, bade her
+good-by and started homeward.
+
+Sam Harper proposed that they should go out of their path to examine the
+carcass of the deer, so as to learn whether the shot of Herbert took
+effect; but that young gentleman was frank enough to admit, after his
+experience, that it was impossible he had come anywhere near hitting the
+buck. Accordingly, they continued homeward, Herbert going back to the
+city a few days afterward to find out, if he could, why his gun so often
+failed to hit the object he aimed at.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+THE "DARK DAY" OF SEPTEMBER, 1881.
+
+
+The summer during which Nicholas Ribsam attained the age of twelve years
+was viewed with dismal forebodings by many people, for the reason that a
+celebrated weather prophet had foretold that it would be unusually
+rainy, cold, and wet.
+
+As a consequence, it proved to be the driest known in years. Days,
+weeks, and even months passed without a drop of rain falling from the
+brassy sky, and the fine powdery dust permeated everywhere. The weather
+prophet lost caste, but he persisted in announcing rain, knowing that he
+had only to stick to it long enough to hit it in the course of time.
+
+As the autumn approached and the drought continued over a vast extent of
+territory, the forest fires raged in different parts of the country. All
+day and night immense volumes of smoke and vapor hung over the land, and
+the appearance of the sun was so peculiar as to cause alarm on the part
+of those who were superstitious.
+
+There came a "dark day," like that of the 19th of May, 1780, which
+overspread New England, and was most marked in Massachusetts. The
+Connecticut Legislature was in session, and the belief was so universal
+that the last awful day had come that the motion was made to adjourn.
+Then, as the graphic Quaker poet says:
+
+    All eyes were turned to Abraham Davenport.
+    He rose, slow cleaving with his steady voice
+    The intolerable hush. "This well may be
+    The Day of Judgment which the world awaits;
+    But be it so or not, I only know
+    My present duty, and my Lord's command
+    To occupy till He come. So at the post
+    Where He has set me in His providence,
+    I choose, for one, to meet Him face to face--
+    No faithless servant frightened from my task,
+    But ready when the Lord of the harvest calls;
+    And, therefore, with all reverence, I would say,
+    Let God do His work, we will see to ours.
+    Bring in the candles." And they brought them in.
+
+Tuesday, September 7, 1881, was a day very similar to the memorable one
+of a century ago. A strange, greenish-yellow pall overspread the
+heavens, and so darkened the light of the sun that lamps and gas were
+lighted, schools and factories closed, and multitudes of the ignorant
+and superstitious believed that the Day of Judgment had come.
+
+Everything looked changed and unnatural. The faces of people on the
+streets were ghastly, the gas jets in the stores, instead of showing
+yellow, were as white and clear as the electric lights, and thousands of
+the sect known as Second Adventists gathered in their places of worship
+and confidently awaited the appearing of the Lord.
+
+The "dark day" was more wonderful in the country. The leaves and
+withering foliage assumed a most singular tint of green, changing, like
+that of the grass, to a brownish hue; fowls went to roost, and the
+animal creation must have been greatly mystified by a phenomenon such as
+they had never witnessed before.
+
+A curious feature of this luminous haze was that it cast no shadow. It
+was as light under the trees as away from them, the whole unnatural
+appearance of things most likely being due to the immense forest fires
+which were raging in many parts of the country.
+
+It was during the summer, I repeat, in which Nick Ribsam reached the age
+of twelve years, that so many forest fires raged, and it was in the
+autumn of the same year that he saw the famous dark day, so similar to
+that of September, 1881; in fact, it could not have resembled it more
+closely, for I may as well state it was that very day to which I refer.
+
+"Nick," said his father, on that September morning, addressing his boy
+in Dutch, "I promised to pay James Bradley one hundred dollars to-day
+before three o'clock."
+
+"Yes, sir," responded the boy, who knew that the debt would be paid on
+time.
+
+"He was to come here to our house to get it, but he sent me word last
+night that he would be much obliged if I would send it to him at
+Martin's store in Dunbarton, as he is obliged to be there all day. I
+like to accommodate any one, and I will therefore send you to take it to
+him."
+
+"Yes, sir; I am ready to go whenever you want me to do so."
+
+Dunbarton, as has been stated, was a village nine miles away, and the
+principal grocery store in the place was kept by Jacob Martin. It was
+there that Nick was to take the one hundred dollars which was to be
+handed to James Bradley, to whom his father owed it.
+
+It was like a holiday for Nick to take such a drive, and he was glad
+when his father made known his wishes.
+
+"Harness up the mare to the fall-top and drive over; you ought to be
+back early in the afternoon."
+
+"I will, if nothing happens to prevent."
+
+Just then rosy-faced Nellie came out to feed the chickens. As the fowls
+flocked toward her, some perching on her shoulders, head, and wherever
+they could find a resting-place, she scattered the golden grains of corn
+with a deft and lavish hand.
+
+Her father looked at the cheeks as red as apples and the eyes glowing
+with health, and, dropping into English, said with a sigh and shake of
+the head:
+
+"I dinks dot Nellie looks some bale."
+
+He meant to say pale, and Nick laughed.
+
+"I don't think she is very sick; she ate more breakfast than I did this
+morning."
+
+"Dot ish so, but I dinks dot I leafes her go mit you to Dunbarton, if
+she can shpare her moder."
+
+Mr. Ribsam meant all right, and when his wishes were made known to
+Nellie she was delighted; her mother was glad to give her the privilege
+of an excursion, for she was an industrious little girl, and,
+furthermore, there were some purchases to be made both for the mother
+and daughter, which Nellie could attend to better than could any boy, no
+matter how intelligent.
+
+The famous "dark day" of 1881 prevailed principally in New England and
+the State of New York; but it was noticed further south, especially in
+some of the wooded portions of Pennsylvania, though in the larger part
+of the commonwealth it attracted no great attention.
+
+It was between seven and eight o'clock when the four-wheeled carriage
+with the single seat, and which vehicle is known as a "fall top" in
+some sections of the country, was driven from the humble home of the
+Ribsams, with the brother and sister seated in it.
+
+As they approached the scene of Nellie's adventure with the bear, they
+naturally talked about it, while Nick again related his own thrilling
+experience, when the animal was shot by Mrs. Fowler, just in the nick of
+time.
+
+Shark Creek had suffered so much from the long continued drought that it
+was no more than one fourth its usual volume; but the pond below was not
+much diminished in size, as it did not flow off except when at a certain
+height.
+
+The brother and sister did not speak of the peculiar appearance of the
+atmosphere until nearly to the bridge. There had been a great deal of
+smoke floating over the country for several days, but there was nothing
+to cause any fear on the part of those who lived near the large
+stretches of timber.
+
+As the darkness increased, however, Nick said:
+
+"It must be caused by the thick smoke; but I don't think it will last,
+and when we reach Dunbarton that will be the end of it."
+
+"It won't make any difference," said Nellie, "unless it gets so dark we
+can't see the way."
+
+"No fear of that."
+
+But when at last they emerged from the woods, and shortly after entered
+the village, the impressive gloom was deeper than ever. The villagers
+were awed by the unnatural appearance of nature, and were standing in
+groups looking at the sky and talking in undertones.
+
+Many were frightened, and not a few hurried to their homes, terrified
+with the belief that the last awful day, when the heavens shall be
+burned up as a scroll and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, was
+at hand.
+
+Ah, had it been the final Judgment Day, how many of us would have had
+our houses in order for the coming of the angel of the Lord?
+
+Nick Ribsam sprang out of the carriage, helped Nellie to alight, and
+went into the store of Mr. Martin, where James Bradley was found
+awaiting him. The money was handed over, a receipt taken, the horse
+fed, during which Nellie attended to the errand on which she was sent,
+and, an hour later, the mare was given water, and brother and sister
+started homeward, little dreaming of what awaited them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+THE BURNING FOREST.
+
+
+"It is growing darker all the time."
+
+"So it seems; I never saw anything like it."
+
+"Maybe it is really night, Nick, and we have lost our reckoning. Isn't
+there any way by which the world might swing out of its--what do you
+call it?"
+
+"Orbit, I suppose, you mean; there may be such a way, but from what I
+have studied, when it does do that there will be more of a disturbance
+than simple darkness like this."
+
+These words were exchanged between brother and sister after they had
+penetrated the woods a considerable distance on their return home. It
+had become like night around them, except that, as has been shown, the
+gloom was of that peculiar lurid nature which can hardly be described,
+and can never be forgotten by those who saw it.
+
+Even Nick Ribsam was impressed. It could not have been otherwise, for
+any one would have been lacking in natural sensibility had he failed to
+be awed by the singular sight. It can scarcely be said that the lad was
+frightened, although there came over him a yearning feeling that he
+might hurry home so the family could all be together, if the awful
+calamity--whatever it might be--should descend.
+
+It was different with the sister Nellie; her nature was more
+impressible, and it was only by a strong effort that she kept her
+self-control so long. As she peeped furtively out from the carriage, she
+looked at the woods, penetrated by the strange haze, which perhaps took
+on a more striking appearance in an autumnal forest like that, than
+anywhere else.
+
+"Nick, I believe it's the Last Day that has come."
+
+The lad turned toward his sister, who was sitting far back in her seat,
+as though trying to shut out the scene which had such a fascination for
+her.
+
+The face of the girl wore such a ghastly color, that Nick could not
+wonder at her fright, but he shook his head. He felt he was the man now,
+and it would not do for him to show any weakness.
+
+"It isn't the Judgment Day, Nellie; for, according to the Bible, it will
+come in a different way than this. There are a good many things which
+are not understood by folks, and I suppose this must be one of them."
+
+"I can smell burning wood," broke in the sister, leaning forward and
+snuffing the smoky air.
+
+"I am sure I do, and that's what is making all this trouble."
+
+"But suppose, Nick, these woods are on fire? How far is it back to where
+we entered them?"
+
+"About three miles, and it is five to the open country ahead, where we
+leave them; but there is the creek, less than a mile ahead, so if we
+should find the woods burning, we can stop there till it is over."
+
+The sister, however, had suggested a danger to the brother which alarmed
+him. The mare had been walking slowly, for it seemed more in harmony
+with the scene that she should do so. The driver now jerked the lines so
+sharply that she pricked up her ears and started off at a rapid gait,
+that is as the mare herself doubtless looked upon traveling.
+
+The first real thrill of alarm came to the lad, when he recalled that if
+a fire should appear, he and his sister were in the worst possible
+position: there were three miles of forest behind and five in front.
+
+The mare seemed to awaken to a sense of danger, for she threw up her
+head with unusual sprightliness, struck into a trot so rapid that Nick
+was a little frightened, lest in the gloom the carriage should come in
+contact with some obstruction which he could not detect in time.
+
+"See there!"
+
+As Nellie uttered the exclamation, she caught the arm of her brother and
+pointed ahead, but there was no need of her doing so, for he had seen
+the peril. The road immediately in front was filled with heavy smoke,
+which, as it rolled forward, caused them to cough almost to the
+strangulation point. At the same time, a crimson streak of flame shot
+in and out of the murky vapor, like the flashing of lightning: the fire
+was burning immediately in front and it would not do to go further.
+
+Nick stopped the horse, and, half rising and bending forward, peered
+into the suffocating vapor. Then he turned and looked behind him, in
+which direction Nellie was also gazing.
+
+"How is it there?" he asked.
+
+"There is plenty of smoke, but I see no fire."
+
+"Then we must go back."
+
+The road was quite narrow, though there was room for two teams to pass
+each other, and Nick turned the frightened mare as quickly as he could;
+she was so nervous and fidgety that it was hard work to control her, but
+she was headed toward Dunbarton, after some difficulty, and as soon as
+the rein was given her, away she went at a spanking trot.
+
+But neither the brother nor sister was relieved of fear, for the smoke
+grew denser every minute, and Nick might well ask himself whether he
+would be able to pass the three miles before he could reach the safety
+of the open country.
+
+The question was answered much sooner than he anticipated. The sharp
+crackling was heard, and they caught glimpses of the fiery tongues
+leaping in and out among the dried leaves and vegetation on either hand.
+Suddenly the flames seemed to meet in front in such a rushing, roaring
+volume that it was vain to think of pushing any further in the face of
+it.
+
+"Oh, Nick," moaned Nellie, shrinking close to him, "we are going to be
+burned alive!"
+
+"It does look bad, Nellie, but we mustn't give up yet; one thing is
+certain, it won't do to try to reach Dunbarton to-day."
+
+"But we can't go homeward."
+
+"It doesn't look so bad that way as it does toward Dunbarton: we must
+try one of the roads, and I would rather work toward home than away from
+it."
+
+Nick was busy while talking; he saw that the mare was becoming
+panic-stricken, and it required all his strength and firmness to keep
+her from breaking away from him.
+
+[Illustration: "O Nick," moaned Nellie, "we are going to be burned
+alive."]
+
+By using the whip, he managed to turn her again in the road, and then he
+struck her sharply with the lash.
+
+"Nellie, catch hold of my arm," he said to her, feeling that even if
+everything came out in the best form, a severe struggle was before them.
+
+The mare sniffed, and, glancing to her right and left, gave a whinny of
+terror as she dropped into her swiftest trot, which, a minute after, she
+changed to a gallop; but Nick brought her down instantly to her more
+natural gait.
+
+Nellie slipped her arm under the elbow of her brother, and then clasped
+her two hands, so as to hold fast for the shock which she believed would
+soon come.
+
+A large branch had fallen across the road, and Nick did not catch sight
+of it until too late to check the flying mare. The carriage seemed to
+bound fully a foot into the air, and an ominous wrench told the driver
+that it had suffered material damage.
+
+But there was no time to stop and examine; the terrified horse sprang
+into a gallop again, and this time Nick did not restrain her.
+
+There was smoke all around them; the air was hot and suffocating; they
+could hear the crackling of flames, and now and then the crimson flash
+through the murky vapor showed that a frightful forest fire was raging
+on every hand.
+
+Still the mare kept forward at the same swift gallop, and Nick knew that
+more than once she felt the blistering heat on her haunches. It is a
+strange peculiarity of the horse, which often shows a wonderful degree
+of intelligence, that he generally loses his wits when caught in a
+conflagration. Instead of running away from the flames he often charges
+among them, and there remains, fighting those who are trying to save
+him.
+
+Very probably the mare would have acted similarly in the instance of
+which I am speaking had the circumstances permitted it; but there was
+fire all about her, and the temptation was as strong, therefore, in one
+direction as another.
+
+Nick kept his self-possession. He knew by the desperate energy with
+which Nellie clung to his arm that she was helpless, and that every
+minute they were likely to plunge headlong into and among the roaring
+flames.
+
+He could not guide the mare, which was now controlled by her own
+instinctive desire to escape a danger which was on every hand. He merely
+sought to direct her, so far as possible, in the hope that he might save
+the carriage from being dashed to pieces.
+
+When he saw the flames meeting across the road he shouted to Nellie to
+hold her breath, and he did the same, until they had swept through the
+fiery, strangling ring, and were able to catch a mouthful of the smoky
+and scorching atmosphere beyond.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+THROUGH THE FIRE.
+
+
+It was hard to remain cool when surrounded by such peril as were Nick
+and Nellie Ribsam but the sturdy lad acquitted himself like a hero.
+
+His belief was that all the woods were not on fire--that is, the entire
+tract was not burning at once, and that, as a consequence, if he could
+break through the flaming circle in which he was caught, he could place
+himself and sister in front of the danger, so to speak, and then they
+would be able to run away from it altogether.
+
+If such were the case, it followed that just then speed was the most
+important of all things, and for that reason he kept the mare on her
+sweeping gallop, at the imminent risk of dashing the carriage to pieces
+every minute.
+
+He was glad that he did not meet any vehicles, for it not only showed
+that no one else in the neighborhood was placed in the same extremity
+as were he and his sister, but it lessened the danger of collision.
+
+Nick thought it was all over with them, when a fiery serpent, as it
+seemed, darted across from one side of the road to the other, directly
+in front. It was at the height of five or six feet, and coiling itself
+about a dry pine it shot horizontally toward another pine, wrapped with
+a flaming girdle, which sent out a line of fire to meet it, like the
+intense blaze seen when a blow-pipe is used.
+
+It was a curious manifestation, and it would be hard to explain it, for,
+though a strong wind was blowing, that would not account for the fact
+that the two tongues of fire, as they really were, met each other in
+this fashion across the road, for of a necessity they extended
+themselves in opposite directions.
+
+They did not burn steadily, but whisked back and forth, just as it may
+be imagined two serpents would have done who saw the fugitives coming,
+and, making ready, said by their actions, "Thus far, but no farther."
+
+To Nick Ribsam it looked like the flaming sword of Hazael, sweeping
+across the highway; but it would never do to hesitate, and the mare
+galloped straight on. The fiery serpents darted angrily at each other,
+but the head of the horse glided beneath and the boy caught a hot blast
+as he shot by.
+
+"Where is the bridge?" shouted Nellie, who could see nothing, and who
+clung more desperately than ever to the supporting arm of her brother.
+
+"It must be close at hand--there it is!"
+
+So it was, indeed, but the fire was ahead of them; the whole structure
+was one mass of flames, roaring and crackling with fury.
+
+The scene that followed was a dreadful one: the sight of the
+furnace-like structure set the mare wild, and she broke into a dead run
+toward the blazing mass of kindling wood, determined to plunge headlong
+into it.
+
+Nick Ribsam rose to his feet, and bent back with might and main, but he
+might as well have tried to check a runaway locomotive: the mare took
+the bit in her teeth and was beyond control.
+
+With a presence of mind which did him credit, Nick wrenched her to one
+side, while she was at the height of this mad flight, so that the hub of
+the fore wheel struck a tree at the side of the road, checking the
+vehicle so abruptly that both traces snapped as if they were ribbons,
+and the mare continued her gallop in the direction of the bridge.
+
+The momentum of Nellie threw her violently against the dashboard, while
+Nick, before he could let go the reins, was jerked out the carriage,
+and, lighting on his feet, ran a dozen steps ere he could check himself
+and free his hands from the reins.
+
+He stopped almost on the edge of the creek, and caught one glimpse of
+the mare as she bounded out of sight into the smoke and flames, and was
+gone forever.
+
+The lad felt a pang of sorrow for the foolish beast, who stood as good a
+chance of saving herself as he, had she but used a tithe of common
+sense; but there was no time for mourning, and he ran back to the
+vehicle, where Nellie was crouching, and crying violently.
+
+"Why, Nellie, I am ashamed of you!" said her brother, reprovingly. "Is
+it going to mend matters to sit down and cry?"
+
+"But how can I help it, Nick?" she asked, rubbing her red eyes with her
+apron and trying to check herself; "I don't see how you can keep from
+crying yourself!"
+
+"I'm glad I ain't such a ninny as you, and when I get home I am going to
+tell father and mother."
+
+"You needn't be so smart," said Nellie, beginning to fire up under the
+reproof of her brother; "you haven't got home yet."
+
+"And mighty little chance I would stand of ever getting there if I
+should sit down like you and begin to blubber. Come out of the carriage
+and go with me."
+
+Nellie's face was very red and there were tears on her cheeks, her
+countenance wearing a strange appearance in the lurid haze around them.
+
+The girl did not make any objection, for she could not do otherwise than
+lean on the strong arm of her brother, who never seemed to lose his head
+over anything. Every minute or so a distressing feeling came over
+them--such a feeling as we can imagine would be ours were we suddenly to
+find ourselves shut in a room where the air was so impure we could not
+breathe it.
+
+There was a gasping, hurried inhalation of the strangling hot smoke--a
+coughing and filling of the eyes with tears, and then a frantic rush of
+several steps, during which the breath was held until a chance to get a
+mouthful of fresh air was gained.
+
+It was useless to turn back. The children were in the very heart of the
+wood, and the conflagration was raging so furiously on both sides, and
+in front and rear, that it was impossible to escape in either direction.
+
+But for the timely arrival at the edge of the creek they must have
+perished a few minutes later, and they could not feel certain as yet
+that even water would save them.
+
+The creek was so low, that when they hurriedly picked their way down the
+bank to it, Nick could have taken Nellie on his back and carried her
+across without wetting her feet; but there was nothing to be gained by
+doing so, as the fire was burning as fiercely on one side as on the
+other.
+
+The conflagration must stop when it should reach the margin of the
+stream, and Nick drew a sigh of relief, feeling that they were safe.
+
+"We will wait here till the fire is done burning," said he, standing
+with the hand of his sister in his own, while he gazed about him on the
+extraordinary scene.
+
+The day had been quite warm, and Nick and Nellie, pausing on the bank of
+the shrunken creek, began to find themselves exceedingly uncomfortable;
+for not only was there a great increase of heat, but the smoke was too
+heavy to be breathed without great pain and irritation to the lungs.
+
+"It looks as if we are to be strangled to death, after all," Nick said,
+"for it is hard to breathe now, and it is growing worse every minute."
+
+"Let's go up by the pond: it isn't far away."
+
+"It must be as bad there as anywhere else, but we shall die if we stay
+here."
+
+There seemed little choice in the matter, but one of the impossibilities
+is for a boy or girl to stand still when suffering, and the suggestion
+of Nellie was acted upon at once.
+
+She had released the arm of Nick, who started up the right bank, she
+following close behind him. The walking was easy, for the creek had
+receded from the greater portion of the bed it usually occupied, and
+that had become hardened by long exposure to the heat of the sun.
+
+It was not far to the pond of which I have spoken, and which occupied an
+extent of an acre, or perhaps more. The place was a favorite with the
+boys of the neighborhood, and some of the most delightful swims Nick
+Ribsam had ever enjoyed were in that sheet of water.
+
+The water was cold, clear, and deep in many places. What more tempting
+resort for a tired, thirsty and overheated lad can be imagined
+especially when he knows that it will be a piece of disobedience for him
+to go there?
+
+"That's the place," he exclaimed, hastening his footsteps; "when we get
+there, we'll have a chance to breathe."
+
+"Hurry up, then, Nick, for I can't stand this much longer."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+CALLING IN VAIN.
+
+
+The distress of the brother and sister became greater every minute. They
+walked hurriedly along the bank of the creek, their path through the
+gloom illuminated now and then by the flashes of fire which shot through
+the strangling volumes of vapor. Nick, more than likely, would have gone
+astray but for his familiarity with the neighborhood.
+
+It seemed to him as if the smoke, heavy, dense, sulphurous and
+suffocating, caused by the burning forest, was driven toward the bed of
+the stream, where it was pressed down by the weight from above, until it
+was the utmost he and Nellie could do to inhale enough of the
+contaminated air to sustain life.
+
+They hurried and struggled forward as best they could, and at last
+caught the glimmer of the broad expanse of water, which presented
+itself in the light of a haven of refuge to them.
+
+It was a most welcome relief indeed, for they were now assured of one
+thing--they could not die the frightful death that overtook the poor
+mare. This broad expanse of cool, refreshing water could not burn up, no
+matter how fervent the heat that might envelop its shores. Its cool
+depths offered a refreshing refuge, such as can hardly be understood by
+one who is not suffering similarly.
+
+But it was rather curious that the boy and girl had endured more from
+the suffocating vapor than from the fire itself. Looking down at their
+garments, they were surprised to find them scorched in several places,
+and Nellie gave just the faintest scream when a pungent odor directed
+her gaze to a large hole burning in her dress.
+
+Nick glanced around, and, understanding what the matter was, called
+rather sharply:
+
+"Pinch it out!"
+
+She was already doing so, and she asked:
+
+"Why don't you pinch out that fire on your coat?"
+
+Just then her brother jumped into the air and shouted, "Oh--ouch!" for
+the burning sleeve had gone through the shirt and reached the bare skin.
+He whipped off his coat in a twinkling, dipped it hastily into the
+water, doing the same with his right elbow, the element which
+extinguished the smoking garment being very grateful to the scorched
+limb.
+
+"Nellie," said he, "just cast your eye over me, and let me know whether
+there are any more fires going."
+
+He made up his mind that if she reported other conflagrations breaking
+out, he would subdue them in a lump by taking a header in the pond,
+whose shore they reached at that moment. But Nellie said he was in no
+danger so far as she could see, of immediate combustion and when she
+came to examine her own garments they were also free from the same
+peril.
+
+"Now, what shall we do that we have got here?" she asked, as, after
+walking a few steps, he came to a stop.
+
+"Wait, and see how things are coming out," he answered. "I begin to
+feel tired, so suppose we sit down and rest ourselves."
+
+The moment this was done, both uttered an exclamation of pleasure; for
+the relief from the distressing smoke was so great that it was as if
+they had emerged into the open country, where there was none of it at
+all.
+
+"Why did we not think of this before?" said Nick; "we ought to have
+known that smoke doesn't keep close to the ground."
+
+The atmosphere was not clear by any means, but the change was so marked
+that it appeared more than pure, and they sat several minutes gratefully
+inhaling that from which it seemed they had been shut off for many
+hours.
+
+But their rejoicing was too soon; for, though it may be true that in a
+burning building the surest place in which to gain enough air to support
+life is close to the floor, yet there can be so much of the strangling
+vapor that it will penetrate everywhere.
+
+Less than five minutes had passed, when a volume of smoke swept over and
+enveloped them, so dense that it was like the darkness of Egypt, that
+could be felt, and the suffering of the brother and sister was pitiful.
+
+"Put your face close to the water," called out Nick, as well as he could
+do from coughing and strangling.
+
+At the same moment, their fevered cheeks touched the cold, refreshing
+surface, and something of relief was experienced.
+
+"It won't do to stay here," said Nick, a moment later.
+
+"But where can we go?"
+
+"Out in the pond; there's a better chance to breathe there than along
+shore."
+
+"But I can't swim, Nick."
+
+"What of that? I can, and I'll take care of you; but there is plenty of
+wood and we can make a raft. That reminds me that there _was_ a raft
+here last week, when Sam Harper and I had a swim: I wonder where it can
+be. Help me to look for it."
+
+They moved slowly along the margin of the pond, peering through the
+gloom as best they could, but seeing nothing of the support on which
+they now placed so much hope.
+
+Nick Ribsam, however, did not fail to notice one thing--it was becoming
+hotter every minute and they could not wait much longer before entering
+the water in very self-defense.
+
+They pushed bravely on, and when the circuit of Shark Pond was half
+completed, reached a point where the thick vapor lifted, or, more
+properly, it had not yet descended, and they stopped to rest themselves
+again.
+
+"Well," exclaimed Nick, with a sigh, "some folks would call this fun,
+but I don't see where it comes in."
+
+"I don't see how any one could find fun in such suffering; but, Nick,
+you will have to make a raft."
+
+"I believe you are right; there isn't much chance to fasten these dry
+logs together, and I haven't time to build one that will hold us both."
+
+"What will you do?"
+
+"I will place you on it, and I'll swim along-side----"
+
+"There's the raft! I see it! I see it!"
+
+Nellie sprang to her feet and pointed out on the pond where, through the
+smoky gloom, the outlines of the half dozen logs, which Nick and
+several of his playmates had bound together with withes, when frolicking
+in the water, were seen.
+
+The lad threw off his hat, vest, shoes, and stockings, so that only his
+shirt and trousers remained, and then took a header, his whole being
+thrilling with pleasure as the cold water closed around him.
+
+"Take care of my clothes!" he called to Nellie, "and I'll bring the raft
+over to you."
+
+As there was no immediate hurry, the situation of his sister being quite
+comfortable, the lad could not resist the temptation to disport himself
+awhile in the cool, refreshing element. He sank until his bare feet
+touched the pebbly bottom, and then shot upward with a bound; then he
+went over backward, floundered, and tumbled about like a porpoise.
+
+"Nick," called his sister, "you had better hurry and get that raft, for
+I cannot see it now."
+
+This startled the lad, but when he found he could not see Nellie either,
+he understood that it was on account of the overshadowing gloom that had
+fallen still lower; at the same time the disturbance of the atmosphere
+had caused a strong wind to blow across the pond, and it was doubtless
+this which had started the mass of pine logs from the land, and was now
+bearing it away from where it lay when discovered by the girl.
+
+"Are you comfortable there?" called out Nick to his sister.
+
+"Yes, but don't wait too long, for it is growing warm, and I think the
+fire is close to me."
+
+The lad felt he had done wrong in idling his time, and he bent all his
+energies toward swimming to the raft, which, under any circumstances
+could not be far off.
+
+As it was, Nick was amazed to find it necessary to go a considerable
+ways before he caught sight of the familiar pile of logs floating
+buoyantly on the water, but he speedily reached them, and, drawing
+himself on top, hunted for the long pole that he had used so many times
+in navigating the pond.
+
+But it was not there, and he sank back into the water, and, holding on
+with his hands, used his feet vigorously to propel the raft toward the
+bank, where he had left his loved sister but a short time before.
+
+"I'll soon be there, Nellie," he called; "are you all right?"
+
+This was a curious question to ask, though it was natural, perhaps, for
+any boy, under similar circumstances, but Nick felt a pang of fear when
+he repeated the call and did not receive any answer.
+
+He put forth all the energy at his command, and steadily pushed the
+float toward land. Now and then, while doing so, he shouted to his
+sister, without hearing any reply.
+
+"Can it be anything has happened to her?" he asked himself several times
+as he peered through the gloom, unable to catch the outlines of brave
+little Nellie.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV.
+
+WHAT FRIGHTENED NELLIE.
+
+
+Nick Ribsam thought not of himself, in his anxiety for his sister. He
+had left her but a few brief minutes before, sitting on the shore of the
+lake, and now when he returned she was missing.
+
+He had called to her repeatedly without receiving any answer, and when
+he looked about him in the smoke and gloom, he could see nothing of her
+loved figure.
+
+He noticed that it was very hot where he stood, and there could be no
+doubt that the flames were advancing in that direction. His dread was
+that Nellie had lost her wits in the presence of the new danger, and had
+run blindly into the burning woods where there could be no escape for
+her.
+
+"Nellie! Nellie!" he shouted in agonized tones; "Where are you? Why
+don't you answer me?"
+
+He thought he heard something like a faint response, but it was not
+repeated, and poor Nick was half distracted. For the first time since
+entering the burning forest he lost his self-control, and not doubting
+that his sister was somewhere close at hand, he dashed among the trees,
+still calling to her at the height of his voice.
+
+He had gone but a short distance when he was brought face to face with
+such a fierce blast of flame that he was forced to turn and run back to
+the water's edge, where he stopped for a minute or two gasping for
+breath.
+
+This repulse served to give him time to collect his wits, and he tried
+hard to decide what was best to do, for he was resolved never to leave
+that place until he learned the fate of Nellie.
+
+"She had good sense," he added to himself, "and she would not have done
+such a foolish thing. She has gone to some other spot along the shore
+and is waiting for me."
+
+Possibly this was so, but it did not explain the curious fact that all
+the calls of Nick remained unanswered. The space inclosing the pond was
+so slight that his voice must have penetrated every portion of it, and
+it did seem that if she were in any place safe for her to be, she could
+not fail to hear him.
+
+Nick found a long branch, which answered for a pole with which to guide
+the raft, and stepping on it he began pushing it along shore as rapidly
+as he could, looking into the gloom about him and often pronouncing the
+name of his sister. His heart sank within him when this continued
+several minutes, and half the circuit of the pond was completed without
+bringing him the first evidence of the whereabouts of Nellie.
+
+Finally he paused, wearied and distressed beyond description.
+
+The darkness of night rested on Shark Pond and the surrounding woods.
+The murky volumes of smoke seemed to shut out all light, excepting when
+the tongues of fire shot through them. The wind blew a gale, stirring
+the water into tiny waves, and the roaring of the fire through the
+woods, the sound of trees crashing to the earth, and the millions of
+sparks, with blazing bits of wood, were carried a great distance
+through the air. Some of these flaming brands fell on the raft on which
+Nick Ribsam stood, and they continually dropped hissing into the water
+around him.
+
+The problem was, how the children had escaped thus far; and as the
+sturdy lad stood out on the pond with the long limb grasped in his hand,
+staring around him, he could not but wonder how it was he had been
+preserved after driving directly into the forest when it was literally
+aflame from one end to the other.
+
+But these thoughts were only for the moment; he had left Nellie, not
+expecting to be out of her sight, much less beyond her hearing, and she
+had vanished as mysteriously as if the earth had opened and swallowed
+her up.
+
+And yet he could not believe she was lost. She had proven that she was
+not the weak girl to do anything rashly, or to sit down and fold her
+hands and make no attempt to save herself. Something more than the
+general danger which impended over both must have arisen, during that
+brief period, to drive her from her post.
+
+"Nellie! Nellie!" he called again, shoving the pole vigorously against
+the bottom of the pond.
+
+He was sure he heard the faint response this time, and so distinctly
+that he caught the direction; it was from a point on the shore very
+nearly opposite where he had left her.
+
+"I hear you," he called back, working the unwieldy float toward the
+spot; "I'll soon be there."
+
+The distance was not great and it took but a few minutes to approach
+quite close to the land, where, with a delight which can scarcely be
+imagined, he saw Nellie standing close to the water's edge, beckoning
+him to make all haste.
+
+"Are you hurt?" he asked, as he forced the craft close to her.
+
+"No," she answered, with a strange laugh, "but I thought my last moment
+had come."
+
+"Didn't you hear me call you?"
+
+"Of course I did; any one within a mile could hear you."
+
+"Why then didn't you answer me?"
+
+"I was afraid to."
+
+"Afraid of what?"
+
+"Didn't you see him?" was the puzzling question of Nellie in return, as
+she stepped carefully upon the raft, helped by the extended hand of her
+brother.
+
+"Nellie, stop talking in puzzles," said Nick; "I was so scared about you
+that I won't get over it for a week; I called to, and hunted for you,
+and you say you heard me; you must have known how frightened I was, and
+yet you stood still and never made any answer, except a minute ago, when
+I just managed to hear you. If you think it is right, I don't--that's
+all."
+
+He turned away offended, when she said:
+
+"Forgive me, Nick; but I was afraid to answer you."
+
+"Afraid of _what_?"
+
+"Of that _bear_--you must have seen him," was the astonishing answer of
+the girl.
+
+Nellie then told her story: she was standing on the shore awaiting the
+return of her brother, when she was terrified almost out of senses by
+the appearance of a large black bear, which was evidently driven out of
+the burning forest by the flames.
+
+He did not seem to notice the girl, but when he began lumbering toward
+her, as if seeking a good spot where he might enter the pond, Nellie did
+not stay on the order of her going, but fled from the new peril, hardly
+conscious of what direction she took. She knew better than to venture
+among the blazing trees from which she and her brother had had such a
+narrow escape, and she sped forward around the lake until she reached a
+point nearly opposite. On the way she never looked behind her once,
+certain as she was that the creature was ready to seize and devour her.
+
+She was sure she heard him crashing almost upon her heels; but when she
+paused, and finally turned her frightened looks backward, nothing of the
+brute was to be seen, and she did not know what had become of him.
+
+"That's the other bear which Mrs. Fowler saw, and which she told Sam
+Harper, Herbert Watrous, and me, we would see some time or other."
+
+"But that was almost two years ago."
+
+"I know that; don't you suppose a bear will keep that long? This one has
+known enough to stay out of sight until the fire has forced him from
+his hiding-place."
+
+After Nellie had heard her brother call to her, she was fearful that if
+she answered she would betray herself to the brute, who would instantly
+make for her; so she held her peace, even though she saw nothing of the
+bear, and venturing on a rather feeble answer when the tones of Nick
+told how much apprehension he was suffering over his failure to find
+her.
+
+Now that the two were on the raft, which was shoved out in the deep
+water, something like confidence came back to her, and she was willing
+to talk about the beast.
+
+"I can't imagine what has become of him," said the brother, after her
+story was told; "from what I have heard and read, the bear is not afraid
+of water, and they often go in to bathe, just like us boys, for the fun
+of the thing. I don't see why he should have waited when he had the fire
+to urge him on."
+
+"Maybe he is swimming around the lake now," whispered Nellie, looking
+over as much of the surface as was visible through the hot smoke.
+
+"I shouldn't be surprised, though it is odd that I did not see him,"
+said Nick, pressing his pole against the bottom; "he is not far off, you
+may depend."
+
+"There! didn't you hear him?" asked Nellie, a moment later, as something
+like the grunt of a huge hog alarmed both brother and sister.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+AN UNWELCOME PASSENGER.
+
+
+A second time a loud snort was heard, as though some large animal were
+blowing the water from his nostrils, and at the same instant Nick and
+Nellie caught sight of the huge snout of the bear coming through the
+water toward them.
+
+He was making directly for the raft beyond all question.
+
+"By jingo, this raft wasn't built to carry bears!" exclaimed the
+startled lad, who used the pole with all the strength of which he was
+master; but, unfortunately, the bottom of the pond was composed of
+slippery rocks in many places, and the blunt end of the crooked limb
+slid along the upper surface of one of these so quickly that Nick
+dropped on his side and came within a hair's breadth of rolling
+overboard.
+
+But he was up again like a flash, and toiling with might and main.
+
+Rafts as generally constructed, are not capable of much speed, and
+though Nick Ribsam got out all there was in the one which he had
+managed, it was not to be expected that he could compare with the
+velocity of a strong, healthy bear.
+
+"He's coming, Nick! Oh, he will catch us sure!" exclaimed the sorely
+frightened Nellie, edging so far away that she, too, was in danger of
+going over.
+
+"I know he is," replied the sturdy lad, working hard with the guiding
+pole, "and I think he can beat us. Do you stay where you are, and don't
+try to get any further off or you will be drowned. I'll bang him over
+the head if he tries to climb on here and ride with us."
+
+Such was the purpose of the beast, beyond question; and, approaching
+fast, only a brief time elapsed ere his huge snout was shoved against
+the logs, his big paws, dripping with wet, flapped out from below the
+surface and both rested on the raft, which sank so low that Nellie
+screamed and Nick turned pale.
+
+Determined to keep off such an undesirable passenger, the lad raised
+the stick in his hand and brought it down with all his strength on the
+head of the bear, which acted as though unaware that he was struck.
+
+Nick repeated the blows, that would have settled the business for a less
+formidable animal but it was plain that brain did not consider the
+matter a serious one. Having secured a rest for his paws, his whole body
+was supported in the water, and the beast, which was no doubt very
+tired, simply ceased all effort, and floated with the wind.
+
+"Why don't you knock him off?" asked Nellie, impatiently.
+
+"Because I ain't strong enough, I suppose; he's the toughest customer I
+ever got hold of, or seemed to have a good chance to get hold of me."
+
+"I've a great notion to dig out his eyes myself."
+
+"If you try it, it will be the last bear you ever scratch; look at those
+paws! did you ever see such nails? didn't you hear them rattle against
+the logs when he struck them?"
+
+"Suppose he tries to climb upon the raft," ventured Nellie, trying to
+edge still further away, "what will become of us?"
+
+"The raft won't hold him; he'll sink it, and we'll have to get along as
+best we can; but, Nellie, he acts to me as though he is satisfied with
+being where he is, and he won't disturb us so long as we let him alone."
+
+"But you struck him several hard blows."
+
+"He's forgotten all about it, if he ever knew it. I guess he has had a
+pretty lively run to reach the pond in time to save his hide, and now
+that he is in the water, he will stay there a good while."
+
+There was a likelihood that Nick was right, and that the bear wanted
+nothing more than a rest; and yet the possibility that he would soon try
+to draw his entire body upon the raft prevented the brother and sister
+from having any peace of mind.
+
+When this singular tableau had lasted several minutes, it was discovered
+that the wind was carrying the raft, with its incubus, toward the
+western shore again, and Nick, afraid that if they all landed together,
+the bear might seize the occasion to make a supper off of them, reached
+the pole over the side, and began working the logs to the middle of the
+pond.
+
+During this performance the brute never stirred. His head, shoulders and
+paws were out of the water, the principal bulk of his body being
+beneath, and he seemed contented to be navigated about the small lake in
+any fashion the proprietor of the raft deemed best.
+
+When considerable time had passed without his offering to destroy them,
+the boy and girl were able to view the beast with feelings of less
+alarm. They looked at the large head, pig-like snout, round, dark eyes,
+and could well understand the terror which an unarmed person feels on
+meeting one of them in the woods.
+
+But so long as bruin remained there, so long was he a threat; and Nick
+was trying hard to think of some plan by which to get rid of him.
+
+He had tested beating him, but with no success, while he ran the risk of
+exciting him to a dangerous degree of savagery if he should persist in
+it. The boy had no weapon about him, unless his jack-knife should be
+counted as such, and nothing could be accomplished with that. He asked
+himself whether it were possible to dive under the raft and give him two
+or three vigorous thrusts with the implement; but, fortunately, the lad
+had too much sense to undertake anything of that sort, which, more than
+likely, would have resulted in the destruction of himself and sister.
+
+There really seemed no way open for the young hero to do anything at
+all, except to follow the advice of his father: "Do all you can for
+yourself and then leave the rest to Providence."
+
+"If I could think of anything," said he to Nellie, "I would do it, but
+we shall have to wait."
+
+"Maybe when he is rested he will swim off and go ashore."
+
+"I wish he would; but it seems to me that he has got a look in his eye,
+which says that pretty soon he will try to enjoy a little more of the
+raft than he now does: and when he undertakes it, you can make up your
+mind, Nellie, that there will be a row."
+
+"Why not let the raft drift close to land, so as to give him a chance to
+get off?" she asked.
+
+"Suppose he doesn't take the chance, which he has now; no, we'll wait
+awhile and see what he thinks about it."
+
+So soon as they could feel anything like relief from watching the
+passenger, the brother and sister looked at the scene around them, which
+was enough to strike any one with awe.
+
+The murky vapor was pouring across the water; burning leaves, sticks,
+and large branches of wood seemed to be carried almost horizontally on
+the wind, while the blazing forest roared like the ocean when swept by
+the monsoon.
+
+Whether the memorable dark day of 1881 still overspread the earth
+beyond, the two had no means of knowing; but they did know and feel that
+they were enveloped in an awful night, illumined only by the burning
+forests about them.
+
+Should the bear fail to harm them, they might well ask themselves the
+question, when would they be able to leave the water, in which they had
+taken refuge. It was not likely they would be forced to keep to the raft
+itself very long, but, after stepping foot on shore, they would be
+surrounded, if not by the burning forest itself, by its embers, which
+would render traveling perilous for days to come.
+
+Altogether, it will be seen that the situation of the two was as
+unpleasant--if, not absolutely dangerous--as it could well be.
+
+Nick was on the point, more than once, of following the advice of his
+sister,--to allow the raft to be carried by the wind against the shore,
+with the hope that the bear, when his hind legs should touch bottom,
+would take himself off; but he was afraid to do so, for it seemed to him
+that when the brute should be relieved of the necessity of looking after
+himself, he would turn and look after the boy and girl too closely for
+their safety.
+
+The very danger, however, that was dreaded more than all others, came
+when least expected.
+
+Nick had worked the unwieldy craft out in the pond again and had sat
+down beside Nellie, when, with one of his startling sniffs, the bear
+made a plunge, which heaved half of his body out of the water and lifted
+it upon the raft.
+
+As Nick Ribsam had previously remarked, the structure was not built for
+the accommodation of such passengers, and it began sinking, as the
+unwonted weight bore it down.
+
+"Don't be scared," said he to his sister; "maybe it's the best thing
+that could happen; put your hands on my shoulders and keep cool, and
+we'll swim out yet."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII.
+
+A BRAVE STRUGGLE.
+
+
+It was a trying ordeal for little Nellie Ribsam; but she met it with the
+courage and coolness of her brother. She could not swim a stroke, and,
+under heaven, everything depended on him. If she should lose her
+self-control, as would be the case with nine tenths of the girls of her
+age placed in a similar situation she was likely to drown both herself
+and her brother.
+
+But so long as she obeyed instructions, and the bear did not interfere,
+they were safe. She placed her hands on the shoulders of Nick, as he
+told her to do, and he struck out with his powerful stroke, which he
+could keep up for an hour if need be.
+
+The difficulty of the situation was deepened tenfold by the anxiety to
+know what the bear meant to do. He had it in his power to overtake both,
+and it would have been a trifling matter for him to "dispose" of them
+in a twinkling: one or two strokes of his immense paw were sufficient.
+
+It was the aim of Nick, therefore, to get away as speedily as possible;
+and he exerted himself to the utmost, glancing continually over his
+shoulder, as did the sorely frightened Nellie, who could not avoid a
+half gasping scream as the waters closed about her to her chin.
+
+But bruin seemed to be absorbed in the management of the raft, which, in
+fact, was more than he could manage. It was all well enough, so long as
+it only half supported him; but when he came to lift his huge bulk out
+of the water the buoyancy of the float was overcome, and it went down.
+
+The bear did not seem to understand it: a moment before he was resting
+upon a mass of logs, and now, when he looked around, they were
+invisible, and he was compelled to swim to support himself. He therefore
+struck out with a loud splash, and had scarcely done so when the light
+pine logs popped up again like so much cork.
+
+The brute turned around and dropped both paws upon them. Finding they
+kept afloat, he was too foolish to be content, but repeated his
+performance, and, as a consequence, speedily found himself pawing the
+water again to keep his own head above the surface.
+
+This second failure seemed to disgust him, and he paid no further
+attention to the logs, but headed for the shore, which was so close at
+hand that he reached it in a minute or two.
+
+This proceeding on the part of the bear, it will be understood, was of
+great benefit to the brother and sister, who improved it to the utmost.
+It occupied a brief time, during which Nick swam strongly and steadily,
+and before the brute was master of the situation Nick's feet touched
+bottom, and, taking the hand of Nellie in his own, they walked ashore.
+
+"Where is he?" asked the girl, the moment their feet rested on dry land.
+
+"He isn't far off," replied Nick, "and I don't think he cares to disturb
+us, but I would rather keep him at a distance."
+
+It may be set down as certain that Nick and Nellie were never in such
+serious peril from the beast as they believed. The bear was of the
+ordinary black kind, found in the Middle States, which is not
+particularly savage, and often passes a person without offering him
+harm.
+
+It is only when the hunter and his dogs assail the brute, or when he is
+driven by hunger, that he will boldly attack a person.
+
+Besides this, the animal of which I am speaking, had, no doubt, been
+routed out of his lair in the woods by the approach of the fire, and it
+was the most he could do to reach the pond in time to save himself. This
+accounted for his excessive fatigue, which made him loth to enter the
+water, where he knew he must swim, and which caused him, after entering
+it, immediately to make for the raft, that he might avail himself of its
+support.
+
+He had no purpose of molesting the children, and was too indolent to
+resent the insignificant attack made upon him by Nick with the stick.
+
+But it was not to be supposed that the boy and girl could feel any
+assurance on this point, and their fright was such as would have come
+to any older person placed as they were.
+
+It was only through the protection of a wonderful Providence that they
+had escaped thus far from the fate of hundreds who, in different parts
+of the country, fell victims to the innumerable forest fires.
+
+When the two emerged from the water, they saw nothing of the bear that
+had caused them so much disquietude. He had probably headed for the
+other side of the pond, and was now shut out from view by the volume of
+smoke which intervened.
+
+"He'll be here after us," said the alarmed Nellie, whose nervousness was
+excusable; "and I wish you would hurry away."
+
+"I don't think there is any need to be scared, after all," replied her
+brother; "the bear has all he can do to look after himself, without
+bothering us."
+
+The fugitives were in a pitiable plight. Nellie's garments were soaked
+by the water through which she had passed, but the heavy heat of the air
+prevented her suffering from cold, though the clinging garments caused
+her to feel ill at ease; and, like her tidy mother, she longed to be at
+home, that she might change them for clean, dry ones.
+
+When Nick found they had to leave the raft, he caught up his shoes, with
+the stockings stuffed in them, and, hastily tying the strings together,
+slung them around his neck. He did not forget, in the excitement of the
+moment, that they were indispensable.
+
+But there was no way of saving coat, vest and hat, without running more
+risk than any one ought to run, and the lad let them go, hoping that,
+possibly, he might recover them after a time.
+
+He had scarcely set his feet upon the ground, when he took them off
+again. The earth was baking hot to the water's edge, and a live ember,
+which the ashes concealed from sight, was revealed when the bare foot
+was placed upon it.
+
+Nick cooled his blistering toes, and then, as quick as possible, drew on
+his wet shoes and stockings.
+
+"I would be in a pretty fix if barefoot," said he, "I wouldn't have been
+able to walk home through these woods for a week or less."
+
+It was plain to be seen that the fury of the conflagration had spent
+itself, so far as it affected this portion of the wood. That tornado of
+the flame, which swept everything before it, had leaped across the pond,
+and was speeding onward until it should die out from want of fuel.
+
+In its path was the blackness of desolation. The trees were still
+burning, but it was in a smoldering, smoking way, with blazing branches
+here and there, dropping piecemeal to the ground. The flames, which
+charged forward as they do through the dry prairie grass, had passed by,
+and the brother and sister had now the opportunity to attempt to reach
+home.
+
+But it would be hard to overestimate the distress caused by the
+atmosphere which the forest fires left behind them. There are many gases
+and vapors which we cannot breathe; but the trouble about smoke is that
+although we can manage to get along with it when it is not too dense, it
+is excessively irritating to the lungs.
+
+Several minutes passed, during which little trouble was experienced,
+and then the two were forced to cough and gasp until they almost sank to
+the ground from exhaustion. Occasionally the vapor would lift, and,
+floating away, leave the air below comparatively pure, and then the
+black and blue atmosphere, heavy with impurities, would descend and wrap
+them about as with a garment.
+
+"There's one thing sure," said Nick, when he found himself able to speak
+with some degree of comfort.
+
+"What is that?" asked his sister.
+
+"This will gradually get better and better."
+
+"I don't see how it can get any worse," was the truthful answer of
+Nellie, who felt as though she had stood all she could bear.
+
+Since the danger of being caught in the flames was gone, the two were at
+liberty to venture in any direction they chose.
+
+"We'll make the start, any way!" said Nick, with his old resolution of
+manner; "keep close to me, and, if you see any new bears, don't run into
+the woods to hide without saying something to me."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII.
+
+BEAR AND FORBEAR.
+
+
+"See here," said Nick Ribsam, stopping suddenly, after taking only a few
+steps, "I don't like this idea of going home and leaving so many of my
+clothes behind. That's a good coat and vest, and the hat is my Sunday
+one."
+
+"You ain't going back to get them, Nick, when the bear is waiting for
+you!" exclaimed the sister; "if you do, I just think you haven't got any
+sense at all--now there! that's all there is about _that_."
+
+This was a severe denunciation, but it did not deter the lad from
+turning directly about and hurrying to the spot where he had landed,
+when forced to help Nellie ashore.
+
+A strong breeze was still blowing, so that the craft, whether the bear
+was clinging to it or not, would be sure to come to land again. Nick did
+not know that the animal had left it, and he was not foolish enough to
+invite the beast to assail him.
+
+The logs, relieved from their burden, were floating over the surface,
+and the lad caught sight of them but a short distance off, steadily
+approaching the shore.
+
+"The raft must have gone under with the coat, vest, and hat," he said,
+watching the floating mass, "and I should think my clothes would have
+been lost; but there is something on the logs that looks like my coat
+and vest. It would be odd if they had kept their place."
+
+Naturally, the whole attention of Nick was absorbed in this matter; and,
+when he found that the wind was carrying the raft and its freight toward
+another point, he moved along the margin so as to anticipate its
+arrival.
+
+As he did so, like the renowned Captain John Smith when pursued by
+Powhatan's warriors, he paid no attention to where his feet led him. He
+was studying the raft, as best he could through the smoky darkness, and,
+knowing the shore as well as he did, he saw no need of looking downward.
+
+All at once his feet struck a large, soft mass, and, before he could
+check himself, he pitched headlong over it, as though it were a bale of
+cloth in his path. The nimble boy was on his feet like a flash, and,
+quick as he was, he was not a moment too soon.
+
+He had caught the ominous growl, and he knew the bear had got in his way
+again, as it had persisted in doing before.
+
+It did seem singular that the boy and bruin should meet so often, and it
+may be that the animal, that was resting himself, lost patience over
+such persecution, for he raised his huge body and made for the
+frightened boy.
+
+It was an alarming situation for the latter, who did not lose his
+presence of mind. He knew much of the nature of the animal, though he
+had never before been brought face to face in this fashion with a wild
+one.
+
+Desperate as was the haste with which Nick Ribsam fled, he did not
+forget to run directly away from his sister, so as to prevent her
+becoming involved in this new danger.
+
+Nor did the lad make any outcry, that could only have resulted in
+frightening her, but he simply devoted all his energy to getting away
+from his pursuer, whose whole savage nature seemed to have been aroused
+by the last disturbance.
+
+Who shall not say that bruin did not identify the youngster as the one
+that had rapped him so smartly over the snout when he was seeking a
+resting-place on the raft? If such were the fact, it cannot be wondered
+that the beast pursued the fellow with such persistency.
+
+Nick Ribsam was considered a rapid runner by his playmates, but it took
+only a minute or two for him to find out he was no match for his
+pursuer, who, starting only a short distance to the rear, was
+overhauling him "hand-over-hand."
+
+The boy hoped that the scorching earth would keep the beast from chasing
+him with too much ardor, but it did not; and, as there was no other
+recourse, he ran to a sapling, up which he climbed with the celerity of
+a monkey.
+
+Even as it was, it was within a second of being too late. The bear was
+so close that, rising on his haunches, he reached his paws and grasped
+the lowermost foot of Nick, whose hair fairly rose on end, as he thought
+for the moment that he was going to be dragged down into the crushing
+embrace of the dreaded animal.
+
+But, fortunately, the shoe pulled off, and, before the bear could
+understand it, the supple lad was perched above his reach and looking
+down upon him.
+
+"Well," said Nick, with a sigh, "this is considerably more than I
+counted on. I didn't think, from the way you acted in the water, that
+you were anything but a big coward; but I'm thankful enough you didn't
+get your claws on me."
+
+The huge creature examined the shoe carefully and, finding there was no
+boy in it, dropped it to the ground, and, sitting on his haunches, again
+looked longingly upward at the fellow perched just above his reach, as
+though he understood what a choice dinner he would afford a bruin of his
+size.
+
+When he ran out his red tongue and licked his inky snout, Nick could not
+help laughing.
+
+"Not just yet, old fellow; I'd rather stay here two or three days than
+come down to you."
+
+When some minutes had passed, Nick began to feel that the situation had
+nothing funny in it at all. What more likely than that the beast, having
+made up his mind to take the next meal off a plump boy, would stay there
+until that same boy would be unable to keep his perch any longer, and
+would drop of his own accord, like a ripe apple.
+
+The question was a serious one indeed, and while the lad was trying hard
+to determine what was best to do, he heard Nellie calling to him. She,
+too, was becoming impatient over the long separation and was coming to
+find out what it meant.
+
+Nick shouted back for her not to approach, explaining that he was up a
+tree with a bear watching him, and that if she came any nearer the
+animal would be sure to change his attention to her.
+
+This was enough to keep any one at a respectful distance, but, when
+Nellie Ribsam heard the alarming announcement, she was determined on
+one thing: she would see for herself what sort of a picture was made by
+a boy up a tree with a black bear watching him as the one watched her
+two years before.
+
+Nick having warned her against coming any nigher, it followed that the
+temptation to do so was irresistible.
+
+The lifting of the smoke had let in some sunlight, and it did not take
+her long to reach a position from which she could look on the
+interesting scene.
+
+"Nick! Nick!" she called, in a guarded voice, not intended for the ears
+of the bear.
+
+The boy, alarmed for his sister's safety, turned toward the quarter
+whence it came, and saw the white face peering from behind the trunk of
+a tree no more than a hundred feet distant. He instantly gesticulated
+for her to keep out of sight.
+
+"You have done a silly thing, Nellie," said he, impatiently; "the bear
+is sure to see you, and if he does, it will be the last of you."
+
+"But I don't mean he shall see me," said the brave but not very prudent
+girl; "if he looks around, why I'll dodge my head back--My gracious!
+he's looking now!"
+
+And Nellie threw her head so far from the side around which she was
+peeping, that, if the bear had looked sharp, he would have detected the
+somewhat bedraggled hat on the other side of the charred trunk.
+
+Nick called to her to be more careful, as he plainly discerned her hat,
+and the head-gear vanished.
+
+The lad's fear was now on account of his sister, for he knew that so
+long as he himself could maintain his position in the tree, so long was
+he safe. The bear species cannot climb trees whose trunks are so small
+that their claws meet around them, and although this brute scratched at
+the sapling as though he meditated an attempt, yet he made none, but sat
+still, looking wistfully upward, and probably hopeful that the boy
+perched there would soon come down.
+
+"Keep yourself out of sight!" called Nick to Nellie, "for you can't do
+anything to help me."
+
+The girl understood this, and she began to believe, with Nick, that she
+had done an exceedingly foolish thing in venturing into the bear's field
+of vision in this fashion.
+
+And what was to be the end of this singular and most uncomfortable
+condition of affairs?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+For a half hour the situation remained unchanged. Nick Ribsam kept his
+perch in the branches of the sapling, and, before the end of the time
+named, he found the seat becoming so uncomfortable that he was sure he
+could not bear it much longer.
+
+The narrow limb on which he rested, while he held himself in place by
+grasping the sapling itself, seemed to grow narrower and sharper, while
+his own weight increased, until he believed it would be preferable to
+let go and hang on with his hands.
+
+It was not much better with Nellie, who had awakened to such a sense of
+her position that she did not dare to do more than peep out from where
+she stood, at rare intervals, quickly drawing back her head lest the
+savage animal should see her.
+
+The bear himself showed a patience which was astonishing, and was like
+that of the Esquimau, who never stirs a muscle for hour after hour,
+while sitting beside the air-hole in the ice, waiting for the seal to
+show his nose above the surface.
+
+Bruin moved more slightly now and then, but went no more than a dozen
+yards from the tree, and seemed never to take his eyes from his victim
+for more than a second or two.
+
+During these trying minutes, the smoke sometimes filled the air scarcely
+less than before and the eyes of the brother and sister smarted and
+stung and shed tears, and their lungs became sore from continual
+coughing, rendered the more distressing in the case of Nellie, who was
+obliged to suppress the noise by cramming her handkerchief in her mouth.
+
+But during the same period, the wits of Nick Ribsam were not idle. He
+had thought of sending Nellie home to bring her father to his
+assistance, but he was restrained by the fear that the bear would detect
+her, and, even if she should get away, he doubted whether she would be
+able to find her way through the woods to the open country beyond.
+
+Here and there the trees were burning, and the dry limbs lay on the
+ground, giving out the red glow of smoldering embers, or sending out
+little twists of smoke to join the enormous mass of vapor which hung
+like a pall over so many square miles of country.
+
+Nellie, for the twentieth time, leaned her head forward and looked out
+from behind the tree trunk that sheltered her. She saw the bear sitting
+on his haunches some twenty feet away, looking steadily upward, as
+though he were a charred stump, which could never change its posture or
+position. Nick rested uneasily on the narrow limb, when he made a
+movement which the quick-witted girl knew at once meant that he had
+resolved on trying to do something for himself.
+
+Carefully freeing his legs from the branch, he lowered himself so that
+he hung by his hands, within ten feet of the ground. Hanging only a
+second or two, he let go and dropped lightly upon his feet.
+
+The whole thing took less than a minute, but the bear had observed it
+almost as quickly as did Nellie, and the minute the lad struck the
+ground the beast was lumbering toward him.
+
+Poor, terrified Nellie screamed and ran from behind the tree, certain
+that it was all over with her brave brother; but the latter did not
+despair by any means. With astonishing celerity, he dashed to where a
+large pine branch lay on the ground, burned in two; and catching up one
+of the pieces, which was so hot that it scorched his fingers, he whirled
+it about with such quickness that the glowing end made one steady, even
+wheel of fire about his head. He recalled his experience in the woods
+two years before when hunting the other bear.
+
+While doing this, bruin was advancing rapidly on the boy, who kept
+circling the torch until the beast was within ten feet, by which time
+the stick was blazing as though it were a pine knot.
+
+Then, with a boyish shout, Nick extended his arm at full length,
+pointing the flaming torch straight at the head of his foe, as though he
+held a Damascus sword of needle-like sharpness which he meant to drive
+through the iron skull, and he strode directly at the beast with the
+step of a conqueror.
+
+Every animal, wild or domestic, dreads fire, and this strange attack was
+more than the bear could stand. Without the least attention to dignity,
+he turned about and swung off toward the lake, doubtless of the opinion
+that there alone he could find safety from the element that drove him
+thither in the first place.
+
+Nick shouted and broke into a run, and the bear did the same! Just under
+the tree, the lad stopped and put on his shoe, which had been somewhat
+damaged by the claws of the brute. Then, being well shod and in no
+further danger from the animal, on which he had turned the tables so
+unexpectedly, Nick joined his sister, still carrying his torch as a
+precaution in the event of bruin's changing his mind and making after
+him.
+
+But there was no danger of anything of the kind, and the bear was not
+seen to look behind him, even to learn whether the pursuit was kept up.
+
+"I guess I will give over my hunt for the rest of my clothes till some
+better time," said Nick, once more taking the hand of Nellie and
+starting up the bank of the stream which fed the pond, toward the bridge
+that had burned some time before.
+
+By carefully picking their path they reached it without mishap, being on
+the southern side, so that it was not necessary to ford it in order to
+continue the road homeward.
+
+The structure was an ordinary one, consisting of a single uncovered
+span, so that its loss was not serious, except on account of the
+inconvenience it would cause.
+
+The two stood several minutes looking upon the ruins, that were not very
+extensive, but their chief interest centered around the carcass of the
+mare lying at the bottom of the creek, where it had floated against the
+shore.
+
+The children were naturally attached to the animal, and there were tears
+in their eyes, when, with a deep sigh, they turned away and climbed up
+the steep bank to the level of the road and started for home.
+
+They had reason to doubt their ability to force their way through the
+several miles of forest remaining between them and the open country
+beyond, but they were resolved to do their utmost, for they dreaded
+staying any longer in the section where they had suffered and escaped so
+much.
+
+As has been stated, the fury of the conflagration had expended itself,
+and there was nothing to be feared from the scorching flames, which had
+confronted and endangered them shortly after they entered the woods, on
+their return.
+
+The road was strewn with burning debris, and many a time they were
+forced to stop, in doubt whether they could get by the obstruction but
+some way always opened: they would find a point where it could be
+leaped, or they would flank it by a little circuit through the woods
+themselves.
+
+In this manner they toiled on until half the distance was passed, when
+they were brought to a stand-still by a discovery which took away their
+breath for the time.
+
+They saw the ruins of something which they did not recognize until they
+drew near, when they discovered that an ordinary farmer's wagon, with
+its two horses, had been burned. Little more than the iron work of the
+body was left, and the animals seemed to have gone down side by side,
+where they lay burned and burst open by the flames, that were less
+merciful to them than to the brother and sister who had made such a
+gallant fight for life.
+
+The sight was sad enough, but it was rendered tenfold more so by the
+figure of the driver, only a few rods distant. When his team gave out he
+had probably leaped to the ground and started to run from the fire, but
+was overtaken and perished miserably.
+
+"How thankful we ought to be!" said Nellie, in a subdued voice, as they
+moved forward again.
+
+"So I am," was the fervent response of Nick, whose heart was melted with
+pity for the unfortunate stranger, and with thankfulness that he and
+Nellie had been selected by Heaven for such a signal display of mercy.
+
+They were in constant dread of coming upon similar scenes, but they
+were spared the sight, and, at the end of about an hour from the time of
+leaving the bridge, they emerged into the open country, where they were
+near their own home.
+
+The afternoon was pretty well gone, and the sky still wore that
+impressive appearance which we all remember well; but it was not so
+marked as a short time before, and was rapidly passing away.
+
+There was a great deal of smoke drifting and floating through the air,
+but it caused less inconvenience and annoyance than it did when they
+fled to the pond for safety.
+
+The children gave another expression of their gratitude, and then
+hastened toward the humble home, which was, indeed, the dearest spot on
+earth to them.
+
+The parents were full of anxiety, though they hoped that Nick had seen
+the danger, and had stayed in Dunbarton with horse and carriage.
+
+But the couple stood at the gate, shading their eyes, and looking
+yearningly down the road, in the hope of catching sight of the loved
+forms of the brave children.
+
+When they saw and recognized the figures, they rushed forth to meet
+them, with swelling hearts. Father and mother pressed them to their
+breasts, and the eyes of all were streaming with tears, for of Nick and
+Nellie might it not be said--"For these, my children, were dead, and are
+alive again: they were lost, and they are found?"
+
+When Nick had told the whole wonderful story, the father took his hand
+and said in his native tongue:
+
+"My boy, I have taught you that God helps them that help themselves. I
+am glad that at no time, so far as I can gather, did you despair. You
+and Nellie have been tried by fire, and have come out as pure gold.
+Heaven be praised for its mercies. The lesson you have learned will go
+with you through life. Never despair, but press onward and upward, and
+the reward shall be yours at last."
+
+And what did the good man say but that which our own beloved and mourned
+poet has so beautifully limned in lines that shall be as immortal as
+his own fragrant deeds and revered memory?
+
+    Footprints, that perhaps another,
+      Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
+    A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
+      Seeing, shall take heart again.
+    Let us then be up and doing,
+      With a heart for any fate,
+    Still achieving, still pursuing,
+      Learn to labor and to wait.
+
+
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+_The second volume of the Wild-Woods Series will be_ "On the Trail
+of the Moose."
+
+
+
+
+==THE FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS.==
+
+==BY==
+
+==HARRY CASTLEMON.==
+
+
+[Illustration: Specimen Cover of the Gunboat Series.]
+
+No author of the present day has become a greater favorite with boys
+than "Harry Castlemon:" every book by him is sure to meet with hearty
+reception by young readers generally. His naturalness and vivacity lead
+his readers from page to page with breathless interest, and when one
+volume is finished the fascinated reader, like Oliver Twist, asks "for
+more."
+
+*** Any volume sold separately.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==GUNBOAT SERIES.== By Harry Castlemon. 6
+vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box      ==$7 50==
+
+==Frank, the Young Naturalist==      ==1 25==
+
+==Frank in the Woods==               ==1 25==
+
+==Frank on the Prairie==             ==1 25==
+
+==Frank on a Gunboat==               ==1 25==
+
+==Frank before Vicksburg==           ==1 25==
+
+==Frank on the Lower Mississippi==   ==1 25==
+
+==GO AHEAD SERIES.== By Harry Castlemon. 3
+vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==Go Ahead;== or, The Fisher Boy's Motto               ==1 25==
+
+==No Moss;== or, The Career of a Rolling Stone         ==1 25==
+
+==Tom Newcombe;== or, The Boy of Bad Habits            ==1 25==
+
+==ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.== By Harry
+Castlemon. 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,
+extra, printed in colors. In box                      ==$3 75==
+
+==Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho==                        ==1 25==
+
+==Frank among the Rancheros==                          ==1 25==
+
+==Frank in the Mountains==                             ==1 25==
+
+==SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.== By Harry
+Castlemon. 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,
+extra, printed in colors. In box                      ==$3 75==
+
+==The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle==                 ==1 25==
+
+==The Sportsman's Club Afloat==                        ==1 25==
+
+==The Sportsman's Club among the Trappers==            ==1 25==
+
+==FRANK NELSON SERIES.== By Harry Castlemon
+3 vols. 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra,
+printed in colors. In box                             ==$3 75==
+
+==Snowed Up;== or, The Sportsman's Club in the Mts.    ==1 25==
+
+==Frank Nelson in the Forecastle;== or, The Sportsman's
+Club among the Whalers                                 ==1 25==
+
+==The Boy Traders;== or, The Sportsman's Club among
+the Boers                                              ==1 25==
+
+==BOY TRAPPER SERIES.== By Harry Castlemon.
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==The Buried Treasure;== or, Old Jordan's "Haunt"      ==1 25==
+
+==The Boy Trapper;== or, How Dave Filled the Order     ==1 25==
+
+==The Mail Carrier==                                   ==1 25==
+
+==ROUGHING IT SERIES.== By Harry Castlemon.
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==George in Camp;== or, Life on the Plains             ==1 25==
+
+==George at the Wheel;== or, Life in a Pilot House.    ==1 25==
+
+==George at the Fort;== or, Life Among the Soldiers.   ==1 25==
+
+==ROD AND GUN SERIES.== By Harry Castlemon.
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==Don Gordon's Shooting Box==                          ==1 25==
+
+==Rod and Gun==                                        ==1 25==
+
+==The Young Wild Fowlers==                             ==1 25==
+
+==FOREST AND STREAM SERIES.== By Harry
+Castlemon. 3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,
+extra, printed in colors. In box                      ==$3 75==
+
+==Joe Wayring at Home;== or, Story of a Fly Rod        ==1 25==
+
+==Snagged and Sunk;== or, The Adventures of a Canvas
+Canoe                                                  ==1 25==
+
+==Steel Horse;== or, The Rambles of a Bicycle          ==1 25==
+
+==WAR SERIES.== By Harry Castlemon. 3 vols.,
+12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed in
+colors. In box                                        ==$3 75==
+
+==True to his Colors==                                 ==1 25==
+
+==Rodney, the Partisan==                               ==1 25==
+
+==OUR FELLOWS;== or, Skirmishes with the Swamp
+Dragoons. By Harry Castlemon. 16mo. Fully illustrated
+Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In box                ==1 25==
+
+==Marcy, the Blockade Runner==                         ==1 25==
+
+
+
+
+==Alger's
+Renowned
+Books.==
+
+==BY==
+
+==Horatio
+Alger, Jr.==
+
+[Illustration: Specimen Cover of the Ragged Dick Series.]
+
+Horatio Alger, Jr., has attained distinction as one of the most popular
+writers of books for boys, and the following list comprises all of his
+best books.
+
+*** Any volume sold separately.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==RAGGED DICK SERIES.== By Horatio Alger,
+Jr. 6 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra,
+printed in colors. In box                             ==$7 50==
+
+==Ragged Dick;== or, Street Life in New York           ==1 25==
+
+==Fame and Fortune;== or, The Progress of Richard
+Hunter                                                 ==1 25==
+
+==Mark, the Match Boy;== or, Richard Hunter's Ward     ==1 25==
+
+==Rough and Ready;== or, Life among the New York
+Newsboys                                               ==1 25==
+
+==Ben, the Luggage Boy;== or, Among the Wharves        ==1 25==
+
+==Rufus and Rose;== or, the Fortunes of Rough and
+Ready                                                  ==1 25==
+
+==TATTERED TOM SERIES.== (FIRST SERIES.)
+By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated
+Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In box                ==5 00==
+
+==Tattered Tom;== or, The Story of a Street Arab       ==1 25==
+
+==Paul, the Peddler;== or, The Adventures of a Young
+Street Merchant                                        ==1 25==
+
+==Phil, the Fiddler;== or, The Young Street Musician   ==1 25==
+
+==Slow and Sure;== or, From the Sidewalk to the Shop   ==1 25==
+
+==TATTERED TOM SERIES.== (SECOND SERIES.)
+4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$5 00==
+
+==Julius;== or the Street Boy Out West                 ==1 25==
+
+==The Young Outlaw;== or, Adrift in the World          ==1 25==
+
+==Sam's Chance and How He Improved It==                ==1 25==
+
+==The Telegraph Boy==                                  ==1 25==
+
+==LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.== (FIRST SERIES.)
+By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated
+Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In box               ==$5 00==
+
+==Luck and Pluck;== or John Oakley's Inheritance       ==1 25==
+
+==Sink or Swim;== or, Harry Raymond's Resolve          ==1 25==
+
+==Strong and Steady;== or, Paddle Your Own Canoe.      ==1 25==
+
+==Strive and Succeed;== or, The Progress of Walter
+Conrad                                                 ==1 25==
+
+==LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.== (Second
+Series.) By Horatio Alger, Jr. 3 vols., 12mo.
+Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed in colors. In
+box                                                   ==$5 00==
+
+==Try and Trust;== or, The Story of a Bound Boy        ==1 25==
+
+==Bound to Rise;== or Harry Walton's Motto             ==1 25==
+
+==Risen from the Ranks;== or, Harry Walton's Success   ==1 25==
+
+==Herbert Carter's Legacy;== or, The Inventor's Son.   ==1 25==
+
+==CAMPAIGN SERIES.== By Horatio Alger, Jr. 3
+vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==Frank's Campaign;== or, The Farm and the Camp        ==1 25==
+
+==Paul Prescott's Charge==                             ==1 25==
+
+==Charlie Codman's Cruise==                            ==1 25==
+
+==BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.== By Horatio
+Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,
+extra, printed in colors. In box                      ==$5 00==
+
+==Brave and Bold;== or, The Story of a Factory Boy     ==1 25==
+
+==Jack's Ward;== or, The Boy Guardian                  ==1 25==
+
+==Shifting for Himself;== or, Gilbert Greyson's
+Fortunes                                               ==1 25==
+
+==Wait and Hope;== or, Ben Bradford's Motto            ==1 25==
+
+==PACIFIC SERIES.== By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4
+vols. 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$5 00==
+
+==The Young Adventurer;== or, Tom's Trip Across
+the Plains                                             ==1 25==
+
+==The Young Miner;== or, Tom Nelson in California      ==1 25==
+
+==The Young Explorer;== or, Among the Sierras          ==1 25==
+
+==Ben's Nugget;== or, A Boy's Search for Fortune. A
+Story of the Pacific Coast                             ==1 25==
+
+==ATLANTIC SERIES.== By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4
+vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$5 00==
+
+==The Young Circus Rider;== or, The Mystery of
+Robert Rudd                                            ==1 25==
+
+==Do and Dare;== or, A Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune   ==1 25==
+
+==Hector's Inheritance;== or, Boys of Smith Institute  ==1 25==
+
+==Helping Himself;== or, Grant Thornton's Ambition     ==1 25==
+
+==WAY TO SUCCESS SERIES.== By Horatio
+Alger, Jr. 4 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth,
+extra, printed in colors. In box                      ==$5 00==
+
+==Bob Burton==                                         ==1 25==
+
+==The Store Boy==                                      ==1 25==
+
+==Luke Walton==                                        ==1 25==
+
+==Struggling Upward==                                  ==1 25==
+
+==Five Hundred Dollars Legacy.== By Horatio
+Alger, Jr. 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra,
+printed in colors                                      ==1 25==
+
+==A
+New Series
+of Books.==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==Indian Life
+and
+Character
+Founded on
+Historical
+Facts.==
+
+[Illustration: Specimen Cover of the Wyoming Series.]
+
+==By Edward T. Ellis.==
+
+*** Any volume sold separately.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==BOY PIONEER SERIES.== By Edward S. Ellis.
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==Ned in the Block House;== or, Life on the Frontier   ==1 25==
+
+==Ned in the Woods.== A Tale of the Early Days in
+the West                                               ==1 25==
+
+==Ned on the River==                                   ==1 25==
+
+==DEERFOOT SERIES.== By Edward S. Ellis. In
+box containing the following. 3 vols., 12mo.
+Illustrated                                           ==$3 75==
+
+==Hunters of the Ozark==                               ==1 25==
+
+==Camp in the Mountains==                              ==1 25==
+
+==The Last War Trail==                                 ==1 25==
+
+==LOG CABIN SERIES.== By Edward S. Ellis.
+3 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==Lost Trail==                                        ==$1 25==
+
+==Camp-Fire and Wigwam==                               ==1 25==
+
+==Footprints in the Forest==                           ==1 25==
+
+==WYOMING SERIES.== By Edward S. Ellis. 3
+vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box                                     ==$3 75==
+
+==Wyoming==                                            ==1 25==
+
+==Storm Mountain==                                     ==1 25==
+
+==Cabin in the Clearing==                              ==1 25==
+
+==Through Forest and Fire.== By Edward S. Ellis.
+12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed in
+colors      ==1 25==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==By C.A. Stephens.==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==Rare books for boys--bright, breezy, wholesome and instructive; full of
+adventure and incident, and information upon natural history. They blend
+instruction with amusement--contain much useful and valuable information
+upon the habits of animals, and plenty of adventure, fun and jollity.==
+
+==CAMPING OUT SERIES.== By C.A. Stephens.
+6 vols., 12mo. Fully illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box      ==$7 50==
+
+==Camping Out.== As recorded by "Kit"      ==1 25==
+
+==Left on Labrador==; or The Cruise of the Schooner
+Yacht "Curfew." As recorded by "Wash"      ==1 25==
+
+==Off to the Geysers==; or, The Young Yachters in Iceland
+As recorded by "Wade"      ==1 25==
+
+==Lynx Hunting.== From Notes by the author of
+"Camping Out"      ==1 25==
+
+==Fox Hunting.== As recorded by "Raed"      ==1 25==
+
+==On the Amazon==; or, The Cruise of the "Rambler."
+As recorded by "Wash"      ==1 25==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==By J.T. Trowbridge.==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==These stories will rank among the best of Mr. Trowbridge's books for the
+young--and he has written some of the best of our juvenile literature.==
+
+==JACK HAZARD SERIES.== By J.T. Trowbridge.
+6 vols., 12mo. Fully Illustrated. Cloth, extra, printed
+in colors. In box      ==$7 50==
+
+==Jack Hazard and His Fortunes==                        ==$1 25==
+
+==A Chance for Himself;== or, Jack Hazard and his
+Treasure                                                 ==1 25==
+
+
+=Doing His Best==                                        ==1 25==
+
+==Fast Friends==                                         ==1 25==
+
+==The Young Surveyor;== or, Jack on the Prairies         ==1 25==
+
+==Lawrence's Adventures Among the Ice Cutters==
+Glass Makers, Coal Miners, Iron Men and Ship Builders    ==1 25==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==--GOOD BOOKS--==
+
+==Suitable for Girls between the Ages of 12 and 15.==
+
+==Ways and Means.== A Story for girls. By Margaret
+Vandegrift. With four illustrations. 12mo.
+Cloth, extra                                               ==1 50==
+
+==The Queen's Body-Guard.== A Story for Girls. By
+Margaret Vandegrift. With four illustrations. 12mo.
+Cloth, extra                                               ==1 50==
+
+==Rose Raymond's Wards.== A Story for Girls. By
+Margaret Vandegrift. Illustrated with four engravings
+on wood. 12mo. Cloth, extra                                ==1 50==
+
+==Doris and Theodora.== A Story for Girls. By Margaret
+Vandegrift. Illustrated with four engravings on
+wood. 12mo. Cloth, extra                                   ==1 50==
+
+==Dr. Gilbert's Daughters.== A Story for Girls. By
+Margaret Harriet Mathews. Illustrated with four engravings
+on wood. 12mo. Cloth, extra                                ==1 50==
+
+==Esther's Fortune.== A Romance for Girls. By Lucy
+C. Lillie. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth, extra, brown
+and gold                                                   ==1 50==
+
+==Helen Glenn;== or, My Mother's Enemy. A Story for
+Girls. By Lucy C. Lillie. Illustrated with eight illustrations
+12mo. Cloth, extra                                         ==1 50==
+
+==The Squire's Daughter.== By Lucy C. Lillie. 12mo.
+Illustrated. Cloth, extra                                  ==1 50==
+
+==For Honor's Sake.== By Lucy C. Lillie. 12mo.
+Illustrated. Cloth, extra                                  ==1 50==
+
+==Marion Berkley.== A Story for Girls. By Lizzie B.
+Comins (Laura Caxton). 12mo. Illustrated. Cloth,
+extra, brown and gold                                      ==1 25==
+
+==Hartwell Farm.== A Story for Girls. By Lizzie B.
+Comins (Laura Caxton). 12mo. Illustrated. Cloth,
+extra, brown and gold                                      ==1 25==
+
+==THE HANDSOMEST AND CHEAPEST GIFT BOOKS.==
+
+==The "Bells" Series.==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The "BELLS" Series has been undertaken by the publishers with a view to
+issue original illustrated poems of a high character, at a price within
+the reach of all classes.
+
+Small 4to. Cloth, gilt edges        $1 50
+Ivory surface                        1 50
+Embossed calf, gilt edges            1 50
+
+==GEMS FROM TENNYSON.==
+
+By ALFRED TENNYSON. Elegantly illustrated by Hammatt Billings.
+
+==BEAUTIES OF TENNYSON.==
+
+By ALFRED TENNYSON. Elegantly illustrated with twenty
+engravings, from original drawings by Frederic B. Schell. Beautifully
+printed on the finest plate paper.
+
+==FROM GREENLAND'S ICY MOUNTAINS.==
+
+By BISHOP HEBER. Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two
+engravings, from original drawings by Frederic B. Schell. Beautifully
+printed on the finest plate paper.
+
+==LADY CLARE.==
+
+By ALFRED TENNYSON. Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two
+engravings, from original drawings by Alfred Fredericks, F.S. Church,
+Harry Fenn, F.B. Schell, E.P. Garret and Granville Perkins. Beautifully
+printed on the finest plate paper.
+
+==THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.==
+
+By CLEMENT C. MOORE. Never before has this popular poem--a
+favorite with both the old and the young--been presented in such a
+beautiful dress. It is elegantly illustrated with twenty-two engravings,
+from original drawings by F.B. Schell, W.T. Smedley, A. Fredericks and
+H.R. Poore.
+
+==BINGEN ON THE RHINE.==
+
+By CAROLINE E. NORTON. Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two
+engravings, from original drawings by W.T. Smedley, F.B. Schell, A.
+Fredericks, Granville Perkins and E.P. Garrett.
+
+==THE BELLS.==
+
+By EDGAR ALLAN POE. Elegantly illustrated with twenty-two
+engravings, from original drawings by F.O.C. Darley, A. Fredericks,
+Granville Perkins and others.
+
+==THE DESERTED VILLAGE.==
+
+By OLIVER GOLDSMITH. Elegantly illustrated with thirty-five
+engravings, from drawings by Hammatt Billings.
+
+==THE COTTER'S SATURDAY NIGHT.==
+
+By ROBERT BURNS. Elegantly illustrated with fifty engravings,
+from drawings by Chapman.
+
+
+
+
+==Standard Histories.==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==History of England, from the Accession of
+James the Second.== By Thomas Babington
+Macaulay. _Standard edition._ With a steel portrait
+of the author. Printed from new electrotype plates
+from the last English edition. Being by far the most
+correct edition in the American market. 5 vols.,
+12mo. Cloth, extra, per set                               ==$5 00==
+
+Sheep, marbled edges, per set                              ==7 50==
+
+Half Russia (imitation), marbled edges                     ==7 50==
+
+Half calf, gilt                                           ==10 00==
+
+
+==History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman
+Empire.== By Edward Gibbon. With notes by Rev.
+H.H. Milman. _Standard edition._ To which is
+added a complete Index of the work. A new edition
+from entirely new stereotype plates. With portrait on
+steel. 5 vols., 12mo. Cloth, extra, per set                ==5 00==
+
+Sheep, marbled edges, per set                              ==7 50==
+
+Half Russia (imitation), marbled edges,                    ==7 50==
+
+Half calf, gilt, per set                                  ==10 00==
+
+
+==History of England, from the Invasion of
+Julius Caesar to the Abdication of James the
+Second, 1688.== By David Hume. _Standard
+edition._ With the author's last corrections and
+improvements to which is prefixed a short
+account of his life, written by himself. With a
+portrait on steel. A new edition from entirely
+new stereotype plates. 5 vols., 12mo. Cloth, extra,
+per set                                                    ==5 00==
+
+Sheep, marbled edges, per set                              ==7 50==
+
+Half Russia (imitation), marbled edges                     ==7 50==
+
+Half calf, gilt                                           ==10 00==
+
+
+
+
+==Miscellaneous.==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==A Dictionary of the Bible.== Comprising its Antiquities
+Biography, Geography, Natural History and
+Literature. Edited by William Smith, LL.D. Revised
+and adapted to the present use of Sunday-school
+Teachers and Bible Students by Revs. F.N. and
+M.A. Peloubet. With eight Colored maps and 440
+engravings on wood. 8vo. Cloth, extra                     ==$2 00==
+
+Sheep, marbled edges                                       ==3 00==
+
+Half morocco, gilt top                                     ==3 50==
+
+==History of the Civil War in America.== By the
+Comte de Paris. Translated with the approval of the
+author. With maps faithfully engraved from the originals
+and printed in three colors. 8vo.
+
+Cloth, extra, per vol.                                     ==3 50==
+
+Red cloth, extra, Roxburgh style, uncut edges, per vol.    ==3 50==
+
+Sheep, library style, per vol.                             ==4 50==
+
+Half Turkey morocco, per vol.                              ==6 00==
+
+Volumes I, II, III and IV now ready, put up in a neat
+box, or any volume sold separately.
+
+==The Battle of Gettysburg.== By the Comte de Paris.
+With maps. 8vo. Cloth, extra                               ==1 50==
+
+==Comprehensive Biographical Dictionary.== Embracing
+accounts of the most eminent persons of all
+ages, nations and professions. By E.A. Thomas.
+Crown 8vo.
+
+Cloth, extra, gilt top                                     ==2 50==
+
+Sheep, marbled edges                                       ==3 00==
+
+Half morocco, gilt top                                     ==3 50==
+
+Half Russia, gilt top                                      ==4 50==
+
+==The Amateur Photographer.== A manual of photographic
+manipulations intended especially for beginners
+and amateurs, with suggestions as to the choice of
+apparatus and of processes. By Ellerslie Wallace,
+Jr., M.D. New edition, with two new chapters on
+paper negatives and microscopic photography. 12mo.
+Limp morocco, sprinkled edges                              ==1 00==
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+==Interest Tables.== Containing accurate calculations of
+interest at 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 3-1/2, 4, 4-1/2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10
+per cent. per annum, both simple and compound, on
+all sums from $1.00 to $10.00, and from one day to six
+years. Also some very valuable tables, calculated by
+John E. Coffin. 8vo. Cloth, extra                         ==$1 00==
+
+==England, Picturesque and Descriptive.== A
+Reminiscence of Travel. By Joel Cook, author of
+"A Holiday Tour in Europe," "Brief Summer Rambles"
+etc. Elegantly illustrated with 487 engravings
+on wood. 4to. Cloth, extra                                 ==7 50==
+
+Half calf, gilt, marbled edges                            ==10 00==
+
+Half Morocco, full gilt edges                             ==10 00==
+
+Full Turkey morocco, gilt edges                           ==15 00==
+
+
+==The Waverley Novels.== By Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
+23 vols.
+
+_Household Edition._ Illustrated. 12mo.
+     Cloth, extra, per set                                ==23 00==
+     Half calf, gilt, per set                             ==46 00==
+     Half morocco, gilt top                               ==46 00==
+
+_Universe Edition._ Printed on thin paper, and containing
+one illustration to the volume. 25 vols., 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra, per vol.                                       ==75==
+
+_World Edition._ 12 vols., thick 12mo.
+
+(Sold in sets only.) Cloth, extra                         ==18 00==
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+Half im't. Russia, marbled edges                          ==24 00==
+
+==Captain Jack the Scout;== or, The Indian Wars
+about Old Fort Duquesne. An Historical Novel, with
+copious notes. By Charles McKnight. With eight
+engravings. 12mo. Cloth, extra                             ==1 50==
+
+==Ladies' and Gentlemen's Etiquette.== A Complete
+Manual of the Manners and Dress of American
+Society. Containing forms of Letters, Invitations, Acceptances
+and Regrets. By E.B. Duffey. 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra                                               ==1 50==
+
+==The Count of Monte Cristo.== By Alexandre
+Dumas. Complete in one volume, with two illustrations
+by George G. White. 12mo. Cloth, extra                     ==1 25==
+
+==The Iliad of Homer Rendered into English
+Blank Verse.== By Edward, Earl of Derby. With
+a biographical sketch of Lord Derby by R. Shelton
+Mackenzie, D.C.L. Popular edition. Two vols. in
+one. 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra                                              ==$1 50==
+
+==Ten Nights in a Bar Room and What I Saw
+There.== By T.S. Arthur. Entirely new edition from
+new electrotype plates. Illustrated. 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra                                               ==1 25==
+
+
+==Jane Eyre.== By Charlotte Bronte (Currer Bell). New
+Library Edition. With five illustrations by E.M.
+Wimperis. 12mo. Cloth, extra                               ==1 00==
+
+==Shirley.== By Charlotte Bronte (Currer Bell). New
+Library Edition. With five illustrations by E.M.
+Wimperis. 12mo. Cloth, extra                               ==1 00==
+
+==Villette.== By Charlotte Bronte (Currer Bell). New
+Library Edition. With five illustrations by E.M.
+Wimperis. 12mo. Cloth, extra                               ==1 00==
+
+==The Professor==, ==Emma== and ==Poems==. By Charlotte
+Bronte (Currer Bell). New Library Edition. With
+five illustrations by E.M. Wimperis. 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra, black and gold                               ==1 00==
+
+The four volumes, forming the complete works of Charlotte
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+Cloth, extra, black and gold, per set                      ==4 00==
+
+Fancy cloth, paper label, gilt top, uncut edges            ==5 00==
+
+Half calf, gilt, per set                                   ==8 00==
+
+==History of Scotland.== (Tales of a Grandfather.)
+By Sir Walter Scott. 3 vols., 12mo. Cloth, plain           ==3 00==
+
+Half calf, gilt tops                                       ==6 00==
+
+Half morocco, gilt tops                                    ==6 00==
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+==Tales of a Grandfather.== By Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
+4 vols. Uniform with the Waverley Novels.
+
+
+==Household Edition.== Illustrated. 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra, per vol.                                     ==1 00==
+
+Sheep, marbled edges, per vol.                             ==1 50==
+
+Half calf, gilt, marbled edges, per vol.                   ==3 00==
+
+==Ten Thousand a Year.== By Samuel C. Warren,
+author of "The Diary of a London Physician." A
+new edition, carefully revised, with three illustrations
+by George G. White. 12mo. Cloth, extra                    ==$1 50==
+
+==The Works of Flavius Josephus.== Comprising the
+Antiquities of the Jews; a History of the Jewish Wars
+and a Life of Flavius Josephus, written by himself.
+Translated from the original Greek by William
+Whiston, A.M. 8vo. Cloth, plain                            ==2 00==
+
+Sheep, marbled edges, library style                        ==3 00==
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+Embossed leather, "new style"                              ==3 50==
+
+Morocco, gilt edges                                        ==5 00==
+
+This is the largest type one volume edition published.
+
+==Stanley and the Congo.==--Explorations and Achievements
+in the Wilds of Africa of Henry M. Stanley.
+Also, a full description of his perilous descent, thrilling
+adventures and late labors on the Congo River. Together
+with an account of the expedition to the Central
+Lake Regions, by Sir Samuel W. Baker, and the journey
+across Africa in 1874-75, and the discoveries made by
+Lieut. V.S. Cameron. By J.F. Packard, author of
+"Young Folks' History of the United States," etc., etc.
+Fully illustrated. 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra, black and gold                               ==1 50==
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+==Cookery from Experience.== A Practical Guide for
+Housekeepers in the Preparation of Every-day Meals,
+containing more than One Thousand Domestic Recipes,
+mostly tested by Personal Experience, with Suggestions
+for Meals, List of Meats and Vegetables in
+Season, etc. By Mrs. Sara T. Paul. 12mo.
+
+Cloth, extra                                               ==1 50==
+
+==The Imitation of Christ.== By Thomas a Kempis.
+New and best edition, from entirely new electrotype
+plates, single column, large, clear type. 18mo.
+
+PLAIN EDITION, ROUND CORNERS.
+
+1. Cloth, extra, red edges                                   ==50==
+2. French seal, limp, gilt edges                             ==75==
+3. Russia, limp, inlaid cross, red and gold edges          ==2 00==
+E. French morocco, padded, gilt edges                      ==1 25==
+G. Polished, Persian calf, limp, red and gold edges        ==1 25==
+L. Persian calf, line pattern, limp, red and gold edges    ==1 50==
+
+
+
+
+==THE==
+
+==Fireside Encyclopaedia of Poetry==
+
+COLLECTED AND ARRANGED
+
+==By HENRY T. COATES.==
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+27th edition, enlarged and thoroughly revised, and containing portraits
+of prominent American poets, with facsimiles of their handwriting.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Imperial 8vo., cloth, extra, gilt side and edges          ==$5 00==
+Half calf, gilt                                            ==7 50==
+Half morocco, antique, gilt edges                          ==7 50==
+Turkey morocco, antique, full gilt edges                  ==10 00==
+Tree calf                                                 ==12 00==
+Plush, padded sides, nickel lettering                     ==14 00==
+
+The remarkable success that has attended the publication of "The
+Fireside Encyclopaedia of Poetry"--26 editions having been printed--has
+induced the author to thoroughly revise it, and to make it in every way
+worthy of the high place it has attained. About one hundred and fifty
+new poems have been inserted, and the work now contains nearly fourteen
+hundred poems, representing four hundred and fifty authors, English and
+American. The work is now illustrated by finely-engraved portraits of
+many prominent poets, with their signatures and facsimiles of their
+handwriting.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+==The Children's Book of Poetry.==
+
+Compiled by HENRY T. COATES.
+
+With nearly 200 illustrations. The most complete collection of poetry
+for children ever published. 4to.
+
+Cloth, extra, gilt edges                                   ==3 00==
+Full Turkey morocco, gilt edges                            ==7 50==
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Through Forest and Fire, by Edward Ellis
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
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