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Carrying the Boats: Stein
It seemed hours ere potatoes and meat Still Stein did not come. It was get- could be cooked; and we were eating in ting dusk; and now for the first time we haste, a prey to the most dismal forebegan to feel a little anxious about him. boding, and revolving plans for a thor- More guns were fired, and we made the ough scouring of the whole countryforest resound to our shouts. These when, who should come along the lake shore but Stein himself, looking a little poising myself to spring off on the other jaded, but smiling.
Such a shout as rose! side, when the top suddenly crumbled beneath my feet, and I was precipitated In our delight at seeing his face again into the hole at the foot of the root, we quite forgot our sleepless night for a through brush and dead vines. Instantly moment: only for a moment, however. there was a snarl, a spit, and a growl, and All, with good reason, too, deemed that an explanation was needed-a full and copious one. "Well, where the Big Dickens have you been?" was the question he heard in full chorus. several creatures leaped out from almost under my feet as I slid down.
A good deal startled, though not frightened exactly, I scrambled out, having had an indistinct glimpse of two or three furry forms.
Jumping upon a log, I looked We record the "lost one's" confession around. At first, I could neither see nor in his own language.
Where Stein Had Been. hear anything of the animals. I shouted to frighten them, then whistled several It came into my mind [he said that I times. At this I saw a head rise up from would "prospect" that crag a little; and I behind an old log-a round, cat-like head, with erect ears-and it kept stretching up three feet, at least. Then it as cautiously drew down again. knew none of you would care about going.
When I started, I thought I should not be gone over an hour.
It was nearly sunset [continued our As soon as it got dark, I supposed they mineralogical comrade], before I thought would fall upon me tooth and nail. I had how late I was remaining. Somewhat kept near the pond, and as I glanced hope hastily, then, I gathered my trophies and lessly around, I saw, through the fast gathset off. Rather than climb back in and ering shadows, a great stooping fir which out of the ravines, I injudiciously resolved leaned out over the water. I backed to go round to the south of the ledges, towards this, and reaching the foot of it, where there was a long, narrow pond, and turned and ran up the inclined trunk to to follow round to the lake shore. It where I could catch the lowermost dry seemed likely to be a less tiresome route. limbs, and so swung myself up twenty But I made a great mistake. No sooner feet or more. had I reached the bed of the valley near Glancing hurriedly down, I saw the the pond, than I found myself in an almost cats walking leisurely up near the foot of impenetrable swamp of cedar and alder, the fir. There they sat down as demurely and sank into mud and water at every as before. I had kept hold of my club, step. and I felt tolerably certain of being able climb up the trunk of the fir.
It was almost dusk, too, in the valley. to beat them back if they attempted to Keeping the pond in sight through the bushes, I pushed ahead, resolved to stick to this route, now that I had taken it.
But the oddly-behaved brutes did not attempt to climb up to me. At intervals, one of them would come and stretch up on the trunk of the fir, sharpen his nails, then fall back and sit down again.
I pushed on for half or three-quarters of a mile, and had come to an upturned root, covered with vines and briers, where, years before, a large spruce had been It was soon dark, and, to cut my story blown down. Leaping upon this, I was short, I have been roosting up in that old fir all night. It was anything but warm and about me; I came as soon as I could. Once comfortable before morning; but I did not or twice I thought I heard guns and saw dare to get down; for it was not till after something that looked like a distant fire, M “UP IN THE OLD FIR." daylight that my gray-furred watchers shining upon the sky over the top of the betook themselves back to their swamp. ridge, back of the pond. Did you fire I knew of course you would be worried guns for me?
Rike observed. "Well, I should rather say we did!" escape. But the next time you go after 'specimens,' do pray let us know, or if we "I suppose we shall have to forgive are asleep, leave a line or something; and you, Freeland," Moses O. remarked, doubt- I should think it might perhaps be as fully, "and congratulate you on your well to take your gun along."
