The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-15

ter of a mile further up the stream de-
cide1 10 camp. Here there was a piece
of dry. level ground. close to the bank;
and Joe, who had some knowledge OF
wood-craft, decided that IL was lifting
place.
they ran ashore and began to make
preparations for the night. Joe was the
leader and gave directions as TO what
should be done; for Arthur had only
lately come TO the neighborhood where
,he boys were now living, and did not
know muck about the woods. Moreover
he was a slender boy. rather sickly. and
several years Joe's junior. His quicr
ways had. somehow, got him reputation
for timdity among the othe. boys, who
were all inclined TO patrOnize him.
II was a warm, pleasant afternoon. and
Joe decided that II was rot necessary TO
build any kind of a shelter. They merely
cut a quantity of balsdm boughs TO serve
as beds, and built fire. II was still day
light when these slight preparations mad
been completed.
Now" said Joe, surveying the work
when all was done, Il think it would be
a good idea to catch few fish for supper.
There is plenty of time. and it would be
pleasant to have some trout TO broil over
the Goals during the evening"
A short distance before reaching their
camping ground. the boys had passed
what seemed a good place for fish, and
now, having put together their rods. they
took some bait which they had brought
with them, and walked down the stream.
They crept along quietly when they were
near the pool they had noticed, and,
after dropping their lines into the deep
water were soon rewarded. In half an
hours time they had landed a dozen
speckled trout. which though small in size
were gamey enough 10 give them good
sport in the catching.
They went back TO the camp and pre-
pared supper. which they looked forward
to with an appetite which their long pad
die I'd the stream had made unusually
keen.
Joe was an expert in making coffee, and
OF this. with some fried bacon and biscuit
which they had brought from nome, they
made their supper They decided TO Keep
the trout and brol them during the even
ins.
Before they had finished eating dark
ness had settled down over the woods and
the different noises Of nighttime in the
forest began to be heard. There was the
barking of a fox; catlke calls which
might be made by lynXes or partners;
stealthy rustling in the bushes; the
splashing of muskrats in the creek.
Arthur could not help showing that some
Of these sounds made him nervous. but
Joe treasured him. Never mind he
said, I'VE are perfectly safe here; have
got my shotgun loaded with buckshot'
and. really Ia like nothing better than
10 see some big animal ny to come into
our camp. Ia give him warm receD-
ton"
Their supper had not deprived the boys
OF their relish for the trout, which, when
broilod over the fire and eaten with salt,
were a most appeuzing dainty.
At length both became sleepy, and, roll
ing themselves up in their blankets, they
lay down on the fragrant balsam boughs.
Arthur felt full reliance i'm Max. and Joe
seemed 70 nave no fear while he clusped
his trusty shotgun in his arms.
the boys had been sleeping perhaps Two
hours, when they were suddenly Weakened
by the sharp banks Of the dog Max. They
raised their heads in time to see him leap
forward. snarng and showing his teeth.
A moment later he and another animal
had erappled. md were rolling over the
ground growing and swapping savasely.
he deg was forced backward, and ne
and his antagonist rolled about over the
ba,sam boughs where the boys had slept.
Joe and Arthur tried to scramble 10 one
s.dc but became cnt3ngled II. their blank
cts and could not get cut OF the way:
boys. dog and wild beast wore mingled
together in 4 snarliag, shouting, yslping
mass-there WAS also a strange. meath
ly sound of rafting and clankins, as OF
a chain. But the battle was not a long
one, for Max was no match for his pp-
ponent. Soon the dog lay IN the ground
whimpering. and the boys could see a
dark balk crouching over him. His whin-
ing showed that the dog was in desperate
need.
shoot it. Joe,-shoot it." cried Ar
thur, "and quick. tt is killing Max"
There was a half-inarticulate gasp from
joe: "Oh. Arthur. l can't find the gun.
What is the matter? What can it be?
on. help, heip."
In the dim starlight Arthur thought
he saw Joes head disappear under a cor
ner of blanket. r.vilelty 20 help could
be expected from that quarter. In the
meantime Max was being Killed, end there
was not a moment TO lose. Arthur re-
membered that the Ratchet they had
brought COR the purpose Of cutting fire.
wood and balsam boughs, lay close by on
the ground. and. cropping about for IL,
his hand luckily touched the handle. He
seized IL and sprang TO the dogs ass.s-
lance Putting out his left hand to dis
cover at what TO strike. he received
severe bite on his forearm. But he saw
where to use the Ratchet: and now, again
and again, IN rapid succession and driven
by all the boys force. the blows fell on
the animals head. Max scrambled to his
feet. and the wild animal fell over in its
death struggles
Arthur FASTENED 10 start a blaze, and
by its light he saw that dead on its side
lay black bear, with a large iron bear
trap and chain fastened 10 its hind foot.
The clanking sOIld was explained.
Joe, having recovered from his panic
and crawled out from under the blanket,
examined the bear with much interest.
This must be the trap that Jim Benton
set yesterday. and this bear is what has
been frightening his cattle II evidently
got into the trap. broke the chain and on
its way off ran right into our camp"
Arthur had bathed and bandaged the
dogs wounds which, thanks TO his long
hair, were not very serious, and was now
busy with the wound in his own arm.
well" he said, II hope an angry bear
with a trap fastened to him will never
again founder into my campl But, joe
how about your shotgun and that warm
reception you were going to give any ami
nal that disturbed us2"
Joe looked a little sheepsh. Arthur"
he said, II was so scared | lost my head
That is the plain truth. But you rose to
the occasion and showed that you are no
coward. in spite of your quiet ways; and
| will see that the boys I'm the village
know what kind of a fellow you really
are. IL is not every one that would pitch
into a mad bear and with no better wea-