considerably diminished, or, as sometimes happens, till only one
survivor is left, who, having helped to eat all his brethren, instead of
meeting with his deserts, is allowed to live on in peace, till some day,
in the course of his walks abroad, he, in his turn, is snapped up as a
delicate morsel by some hungry snake or water-fowl.

[Illustration]

BE HONEST AND TRUE.

By George Birdseye.

Be honest and true, boys!
Whatever you do, boys,
Let this be your motto through life.
Both now and forever,
Be this your endeavor,
When wrong with the right is at strife.

The best and the truest,
Alas! are the fewest;
But be one of these if you can.
In duty ne'er fail; you
Will find 'twill avail you,
And bring its reward when a man.

Don't think life plain sailing;
There's danger of failing,
Though bright seem the future to be;
But honor and labor,
And truth to your neighbor,
Will bear you safe over life's sea.

Then up and be doing,
Right only pursuing,
And take your fair part in the strife.
Be honest and true, boys,
Whatever you do, boys,
Let this be your motto through life!

[_This Story began in No. 22._]

IN SEARCH of HIMSELF.

A Tale of Dangerous Adventure.

BY GEORGE H. COOMER,

Author Of "Arthur Summers," Etc.

CHAPTER XIII.

RALPH MAKES A FRIEND.

Ralph had need of all his courage, as he realized what was before him.
In a low, swampy spot, close under a pile of rock and earth, that rose
out of it like a wall, was an animal such as he had never met with until
this moment, although he instinctively guessed what it must be.

The creature appeared to be in a complete frenzy of rage. It was covered
with mud and water, and with furious motions was trampling down the
long, rank grass which grew about the place.

"A wild boar!" uttered our young friend to himself, with his heart
leaping to his throat, as his glance took in the sharp back, the high
shoulders, and the immense tusks that curved from the jaws like
cimetars.

He had seen pictures of such animals, but had never dreamed how
startling the reality would be.

The boar seemed to direct his fury against the ledge which formed the
boundary of the muddy and grassy place where he was raging about; and
looking a little above the savage brute, Ralph perceived a somet