nsitive feelings most distressingly, by
calling to him: "No, no, Laddie. Back! Watch camp'" when he essayed to
join them as they set forth with rods over their shoulders for a
half-day's fishing; or as, armed with guns, they whistled up the bored
but worthy setter for a shooting trip. But, for the most, Lad was close
at their sides, during these two wonderful weeks. And he was very happy.

Once, during a solitary ramble, before the humans had awakened in the
morning, Lad caught an odd scent; and followed it for a quarter mile
down the mountainside. It waxed stronger and ranker. At last, a turn
around a high boulder brought him face to face with its source. And he
found himself confronting a huge black bear.

The bear was busy looting a bee-tree. It was the season when he and his
like are stocking up, with all the fatmaking food they can gorge, in
preparation for the winter's "holing-in." Thus, he viewed with sluggish
non-interest the advent of the dog. He had scented Lad for as long a
time as Lad had scented him. But he had eaten on, unperturbed. For he
knew himself to be the match of any four dogs; especially if the dogs
were unaccompanied by men. And, a long autumn of food had dulled his
temper.

So, he merely checked his honey-gorging long enough to roll a rotted
log to one side and to scoop up from under it a pawful of fat white
grubs which had decided to winter beneath the decayed trunk. Then,
absent-mindedly brushing aside a squadron of indignant bees, he
continued his sweet feast.

As Lad rounded the boulder and came to a growling halt, the bear raised
his honey-smeared head, showed a yellowing fang from under one upcurled
corner of his sticky lips; and glowered evilly at the collie from out
of his reddening little eyes. Then he made as though to go on eating.

But Lad would not have it so. Into his rejuvenated heart stole a tinge
of the mischief which makes a collie puppy dash harrowingly at a
tethered cow. Barking with sheer delight in the excitement of meeting
this savage-looking monster, the dog rushed merrily at the bear. His
teeth were not bared. His hackles were not bristling. This was no
fight; but a jolly game. Lad's dark eyes danced with fun.

Midway of his charge, he checked himself. Not through fear, but from
utter astonishment. For his new acquaintance had done a right
non-quadrupedal thing. Bruin had reared himself upon his hind legs; and
was standing there, like a man, confronting the dog. He