and so, when we came to the
sand, I whispered to Roddy, `Let us try and get away.' But those wicked
bears would not let us go; for when we tried to go along the sand in one
direction one of the big bears got in our way and made us go back; then
we tried to go the other way, and they stopped us there. I now felt
that we were like prisoners, and that we had to go with them. They led
us again into the berry-bushes, and Roddy and I ate a good many, for we
were very hungry, and the little bears teased us so much we had to pick
a lot for them. It was when I was feeling the worst, and fearing that
perhaps they would never let us leave them, that I heard the bird note.
O, how sweet it sounded! For I knew it was from Mustagan, and that it
meant we would soon be free. But I saw that the bears had heard it, and
were very uneasy, as they had been at all sounds. For a time they
stopped eating berries and stood up and listened. However, when it came
again and again, so bird-like, they lost their fear and again began
eating the berries."

Said Wenonah: "I was afraid to answer, for the bears had always been so
angry at us when we made any noise; but I knew that sweet call meant
rescue and home, and must be answered, and so, while putting a big
handful of berries in the mouth of the fiercest old bear, I gave the
answering call. Then came the reply.

"I must have been trembling, for in my reply I shook in my voice, and
the bears were angry and growled at me. How ever, I knew I could
correctly give the owl call which Mustagan knew was our signal of
danger. So when I passed behind a tree I gave it as loud as I could, as
though from an owl in the tree above me. When all was right again I
gave the robin song, and you all know the rest."

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

CONGRATULATIONS--OTHER INCIDENTS OF LOST CHILDREN--LONG EXCURSION BY THE
BOYS--INDIAN LEGEND--"WHY IS THE BEAR TAILLESS?"--OXFORD LAKE--BLACK
BEARS AS FISHERMEN--THE LOOKOUT FROM THE TREES--FISH-STEALING BEARS--THE
CONFLICT--BEARS VERSUS BOYS AND INDIANS--SAM'S SUCCESSFUL THRUST--PLENTY
OF BEAR MEAT.

The thrilling adventures and escape of Wenonah and Roderick were, of
course, the great sensations that were most talked about for many a day.
Children have wonderful recuperative powers, and so the two little ones
recovered from the effects of their strange mishaps long before Mr and
Mrs Ross or even Minnehaha did. But time is a great healer, and soon
all were well a