as so plentiful in the autumn, and the art
of making maple-sugar, all of which helped to benefit them, no less
than the Gospel message she never failed to give also. She was the
first missionary to these wild children of the forest in Acadia, and
her memory is still enduring and fragrant because of the good she
wrought amongst them. Raoul, vastly as he admired his aunt's devotion,
could not of course be expected to share in it to any great extent, but
since his idea of life was to have as good a time as possible--and he
much preferred going on these expeditions to being cooped up in the
fort--it suited him all right that she should be so zealous as she was.

Tramping through the vast green forests, or paddling in birch canoes
over the clear water of smooth-running streams, there was always
something new to be seen, and at any time an adventure might happen.
In the autumn after their coming to Fort St. Louis, a great bear hunt
was arranged to take place at the Tusket River, and Raoul was full of
excitement about it. The plan was certainly as daring as it was novel,
for the bears were not to be killed when found, but driven with clubs
and switches towards the village, where arrows and spears and sharp
appetites awaited them.

"I do hope there'll be plenty of bears," exclaimed Raoul to his aunt
the evening before the hunt. "Won't it be exciting when they get them
started, and they try to escape? I think I'll go out after the bears,
and not wait at the village for them to come--that will be too
tiresome."

"Whatever you do, Raoul, take good care of yourself," said Madame,
patting him upon the shoulder. "You are my boy, you know, and I should
be very sorry if anything were to happen to you."

Raoul smiled confidently as he drew himself up to his full height.

"Oh, there's no fear of me. I've had too much to do with bears to let
any of them hurt me."

Madame smiled fondly back at him as she responded:

"You certainly look as if you ought to be able to take care of
yourself. You are a fine big fellow, Raoul, and I pray God your life
may be a long and happy and useful one."

The bear hunt was well organized under the direction of Madame, who had
a genius for command. Raoul preferred going into the forest with the
beaters to remaining at the village, and set off in high glee, the
party being chiefly composed of the young men of the tribe.

It was the season of grapes, and the vines, which climbed in wild
prof