ed to madden
Vidocq immediately. From the time the former entered the house, Vidocq
cursed him with every vile oath his drunken lips could frame, and, when
Bar attempted remonstrance and command, the infuriated maniac suddenly
caught up a table knife, and plunged it in his opponent's side. Then
with a yell Vidocq rushed from the house, leaving the door thrown back
for the deadly cold to enter and complete his work. John Bar said that
he fell when the knife struck him; that he had strength to crawl to a
pile of furs and blankets; that he even tried to cover his companions,
but could not; that he called for help as long as he had voice; and
that, when I entered, an hour after the assault, he had lost all
consciousness. The bleeding had ceased, but the sleep of the frozen was
falling on him.

Those events of Christmas Day broke up the lumber-camp.

John Bar was not dangerously wounded, and when we were able to carry him
on a sled to the nearest settlement he quickly recovered.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"And now, boys, you have had your stories, so let's off to bed. Captain
Mugford, Ugly has gone to sleep over mine. He prefers sea narratives."

But Ugly heard his name, and broke off in the middle of a snore to come
and put his paws apologetically on Mr Clare's knee.

The sail Harry and I had watched disappeared behind the point of rocks
soon after Mr Clare commenced his story, and while waiting anxiously
for her reappearance we listened with much interest to Mr Clare; and as
he was finishing she came out again and stood to the south-west.
Determined to investigate the mystery ourselves, we said nothing to the
others. By the time we reached the deck to take our way homeward the
little sail was hardly distinguishable. As no one noticed it, Harry and
I went to bed, partners in a secret full of romance to us.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

AN EXCITING DISCOVERY--THE COVE WINS A NAME.

The next morning, at breakfast, Walter proposed that he and Harry
Higginson should, after school, go down to the neck and shoot ducks, for
Clump had reported that he had seen several flying over the cape. Our
salt tute was at the table, and Harry, in reply, turned to him and
said--

"Captain, won't you take my gun this afternoon and go with Walter in my
place? Bob and I have a little secret service to attend to, which can't
be postponed; so will you shoot the ducks for me?"

"No, Ha