he kettle well filled, as the water was boiled
away, leaving only its sweetness. At last they added no fresh sap but
allowed the syrup in the kettle to boil down thicker and thicker making
in the end, most delicious molasses.

The boys finished the boiling in the cabin that night, and when the syrup
had become thick enough, they were able by stirring and cooling it, to
make an excellent quality of sugar. And it had been so long since either
of them had tasted sweets, that the maple's fine product was indeed a
treat. The prospect that they would be able to make enough sugar to last
them until another spring, was highly agreeable, and they were willing
enough to work hard during many days which followed.

One regret the boys had, was that they possessed but two kettles, neither
of which was very large; but they boiled sap in both and found that by
greasing the upper edges of the vessels that they could keep them quite
full and still the sap would not boil over.

They also tried the very primitive method used by the Indians before they
had kettles in which to make sugar. Several large, nearly round stones
were washed clean, then heated very hot in the fire. With improvised
tongs they were then lifted into a large keg of cold sap. As this
operation was constantly repeated, the sap was heated and slowly
evaporated.

The process proved so very slow and laborious, however, that the boys
soon abandoned it. But while the experiment was being tried, something
occurred which made John laugh until he held his sides. The keg of sap
had been heated to almost a boiling point, and putting a couple of large,
hot stones in it both boys left the camp, John to gather more sap and Ree
to chop some wood.

As John was returning, he discovered a young bear prowling about the
camp. The animal evidently had not been long out of its winter quarters
and was hungry. It sniffed the sweet odor which came from the evaporating
maple water, and ambled up to the keg.

Quietly John ran and called Ree, and they both hurried softly back just
as the bear put its nose deep into the hot sap. A squeal of pain
followed, and the poor cub nearly turned a backward somersault, with such
sudden energy did it take its nose out of the keg. Wild with the smarting
burns the creature rushed blindly about, almost burying its head in the
cool leaves and earth, and missing its footing, somehow, as it approached
a steep part of the hill, fell and rolled to the bottom, s