Frank in the Woods

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t of the perilous position in which he had placed himself but a few moments before. What if his gun had missed fire, or he had only wounded the panther? How long could he and Brave have withstood his attacks? The panther would certainly have conquered them. And what co

ing the tail. The rifleshot which had broken his leg had made an ugly-looking wound, and he had received both charges of b

t and a small tin pail, which was to do duty as a coffee-pot. With the aid of his heavy hunting-knife, he soon erected a hut-rude-looking, indeed, but sufficiently strong and tight to protect him from the wind. Over the floor he spread hemlock branches to the depth of four or five inches, and the camp was finished. He then kindled

kness. As soon as he had finished his supper, he started out to see what had occasioned the noise, taking the trap with him, intending to find a good place to set it. When he arrived at the stream, he found it had its source in a salt spring, or, as the hunters would call it, a "deer-lick." The snow on the banks was trodden as hard as a floor, and the paths that th

ted the efforts of a stronger person than himself. After half an hour's work, during which time the skirts of his coat had been cut almost entirely off by the long, sharp teeth, he succeeded in getting it set, and placed safely in the hole which he had dug for its reception. Then, with his hunting-knife, he cut down a good-sized sapling that stood near, and to this he fastened one end of a short, he

ream; the barking of foxes was heard in all directions; and, now and then, a dark object would come out of the bushes, and gaze at him a moment with eyes that shone through the darkness like coals of fire,

half inclined to shoot at some of the animals that came around the camp; but he finally concluded to keep the peace as lon

close to the cabin. Frank started to his feet and threw a firebrand among them, when they scattered in every direction, and were out of sight in a moment. He was not disturbed again, and when he awoke it was daylight. After put

of the animal that had been caught in the trap, for he had moved directly up the path, and the only "sign" that Frank had to guide him was, now and then, a slight scraping in the snow, which he knew had been made by the clog, as the animal dragged it after him. He followed the trail in this manner for nearly half a mile, when it suddenly turned o

tle further on, he suddenly came to a halt, and stood gazing steadily before him, toward a thic

g. He had faced the wounded panther without flinching, but he did not like the idea of attacking that bear in his den, for s

bear in there, and the question was, how to get him out into open ground, so that he could have a fair shot at him, and a good opportunity to retreat, if that shot should not prove fatal. After waiting nearly half an hour for the bear to come out and

a cub, which he was determined to have. He knew that this would be no boy's play, for, of course, the old bear must be killed before he could venture down into the cave. He was also well aware that she would fight for her young with a ferocity and stubbornness, against which only the most determined courage and a steady hand and quick eye could avail. He had he

n as he could get a good view of the interior, threw himself flat upon the snow and looked in. It was dark as midnight inside the cave, but he could see two fiery eyeballs glaring upon him through th

et, rapidly retreated, just as the enormous head and shoulders of the bear rose out of the opening. After running a little distance, and finding that he was not pursued, he turned and looke

ing herself. He hastily rammed down the charges, and poured a handful of buck-shot into each barrel, and then crawled toward the

ng the clog loose, she could not overtake him, incumbered as she was with the heavy trap. He waited until a fair mark

ted, the "Ole Settler" "stuck tighter nor a brother." After much exertion, this was accomplished, and Frank was about to commence skinning the bear, when, all at

out before this time; but I'll just keep an eye open for him, and if he shows himsel

s about, probably thought that his family was capable

y to it. This he intended to use as a spear, in case he should be attacked while in the den. Grasping it in one hand, and his gun in the other, he crawled down into the cave. It was so dark that he could scarcely see his hand before him; but, after a few moments' search, he discover

ncampment where he had left his companions. He had accomplished much more than he had expected he could during the two days that he had been in the woods, and now had about as much on hand as he could conveniently attend to. The skins of the panther and bear must be prepared for stuffing, which would require his close attention; the cubs, also, must be taken care of and watc

ompanions had just finished eating their suppe

to see you back safe. What kind of a time did you have?-rather lonesome, I guess. What have you got?" he c

ck," answered Frank, "and also a bearskin, and two you

ck, who had not yet spoken; "I know

he reason why I wouldn't go with him. It's

?" said the trapper. "Come an' set

a cup of hot coffee were passed over to him. Stretching his feet out toward the fire, he related the detai