The Log School-House on the Columbia

he timber the day before, a young cow came running into the yard, as if for protection. Mrs. Woods started

own her dish of red berries, took her gun, and went

hack, but had not used, owing to the hardness of the grain. It lay on the earth, but still connected with its high s

l that often had appeared upon it, and made a pretty picture as it sat eating in the sun, its head half covered with i

. The bear used me mean, but I kind o' like all these little children of Natur'. But I don't want no Injuns, and no more bears unless he comes back again

t drawing back slowly toward the fallen tree. It was long, and seemed to move more like an immense serpent than an animal. It had a catlike face, with small ears and spiteful eyes, and a half-open mouth d

e to risk an encounter with so powerful an animal. So she drew back slowly, a

id, "what do you t

ite squ

a t

o tigers here; s

that I ever saw on any living creature. It was all snarls. That

afraid to go

you mornin's and carry the gun. I like to walk morn

cool, dewy airs began to move among the pines, a long, deep, fearful cry was heard

e cry, which might have been tha

r that?" ask

and go out,"

ar, pitiable cry, as if some

"It makes me want to know what it

riosity. There was a strange, mysterious quality about it that d

en a donated claim some miles from the Woodses on th

, named Arthur, came over to the Woodses

. They are not injured, as we can see; they are not shot or bruised, nor do they seem to be poisoned-they are not swelled

ous? Lost your cattle, boy? I am sorry for

that he can find

I've always thought this was a good country, but I don't know. Tell your folks I'm sorry

ge, wild, pleading cry wa

It makes me feel as though I must run toward it. It draws me. It make

d anything to do with the death of

y mysterious about the death of those cattle. You ought to have seen 'em. They

g before, when an animal had dropped from a great tree on the neck of one of the cows, which struggled and lowed for a few minutes, then fell, and was found dead

thered around him and asked him what these things could mean. He replied, in broken Chino

n repose, it is a very beautiful animal; but when seeking its prey it presents a mean, cowardly, stealthy appearance, and its face is a picture of cruelty and evil. It will destroy as many as fifty sheep in a night, sucking their blood and leaving them as though they had died without

-hunt," said the chi

y?" said t

nd boy dead some day, just like cow. He drop down fr

untain

s in hunting-gear came riding up to the school-house, full of gay spirits and heroic pride. Be

of an animal on his shoulder-a r

fore the master. His face, though wrinkled, was really beautiful and noble, in the light of the hap

the puma. Scho

from Benjamin's shoulder, and h

who killed the

u?" asked

me, not

bra

No." The old chief p

l. He is good to me-he mean well. He likes you-

master's lip quivered as he took the old chief's hand that bright morning, as a parting sign of gratitude and good-will. He felt the innate brotherhood of all human hearts, and returned to his d

ho had learned the leading incidents of it in the afternoon as