there's likely to be trouble."

"You're part Irish all right," said Mr. Waterman. "I think you've kissed
the blarney stone some time."

"That I did," replied Bob, merrily. "I can remember my father holding me
down from the tower by my heels to kiss the stone. If there's any virtue
in having kissed the famous stone, I ought to have my share, for I
skinned both my knee and my nose in doing the stunt."

"I didn't know that you had ever been in Ireland," said Mr. Waterman.

"Oh, yes, my father took me there one summer when I was a little
fellow," replied Bob, innocent enough.

In the meantime they had reached the head of the lake. Mr. Waterman made
off at once with the canoe as he said that they would be late for supper
if they didn't hurry. He kept Bob hustling to keep up with him, stopping
only once on the way. That was on the last portage when they came to the
spot where Bob had noted the trampled bushes. Mr. Waterman looked very
carefully at the marks and went on apparently satisfied.

"What did you notice this time that you didn't observe before?" asked
Bob.

"Not very much," replied Mr. Waterman, "but enough to convince me that
there was only one person over the trail."

"Well, if that's the case," said Bob, "surely there won't be much danger
in my going with you to-morrow."

"Why not? There might be four or five in this party for all we know,"
answered Mr. Waterman.

"That's so," said Bob.

"I'm inclined to take you along for you have very good sense about most
things, I notice," said Mr. Waterman, half to himself.

Bob blushed up to the ears at hearing this praise from his leader.

"I'm sure, I'll try to be useful if you take me along," said Bob.

They were soon down on the shore of their own lake and they could hear
the shouts of Bill and Pud as they wallowed in the water.

"The rest of them are back," said Mr. Waterman.

"I wonder if Pud found any traces of his bear thief," laughed Bob.

As they came to the landing, the guides ran down eager to hear the news.

"We found his trail," said Mr. Waterman. "Get the guns ready, Pierre and
Jack, and we'll go after the son-of-a-gun to-morrow."

"Did you see him?" asked Jack.

"No," said Mr. Waterman. "We just picked up his trail. I think I know
where he is, but you had better put together enough grub to last us a
week, for we don't know where he may be."

"All right," replied Jack. "We'll be ready."

Bob had to tell his various experiences to the