ately learned to walk in them, and had a a pair ready.
They were wooden frames in shape something like an egg flattened out,
only sharp at both ends. The centre part was net-work of leather
thongs, like a very coarse sieve. They are fastened to the feet by
thongs of leather. From covering so much space, they do not sink into
the snow. On their feet, people in winter wear in the country soft
leather socks, called mocassins, with one or two pairs of thick worsted
socks inside. Mary's were made by an Indian woman, a squaw, as the
natives call their wives and daughters. They were worked prettily with
coloured porcupine-quills and beads.

Quickly putting on her snow-shoes, Mary set off with Tony. Both had
long sticks in their hands. They had got about half way, when Tony
looked up, and said, "I hope, Miss Landon, that you are not afraid of
bears."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because I see the fresh marks of one on the snow," he answered. "We
may meet the gentleman; if we do, we must attack him with our sticks,
and shout, and he will go off; but if we attempt to run, he'll gain
courage and follow."

Mary said that she would follow Tony's advice; but as she walked on, she
looked anxiously on one side and on the other, expecting to see the bear
appear. As to running away in snow-shoes, that she could not, and she
was afraid that, in attacking the bear, she might topple over, and he
might set on her.

"No fear, Miss Mary," said Tony, as he saw her looking about; "if he
does come, I'll give him a taste of the tip of my stick, and he'll soon
turn his tail to us; he is not far off, I see by his marks; he'll show
himself presently. Now don't run, Miss Mary, but shout out like a man,
as if you wasn't afraid."

Scarcely had Tony given this advice, than a brown, shaggy-coated bear
was seen moving along the snow between the trees. He soon caught sight
of the travellers, and sat up, watching them as they passed.

"I told you he wouldn't hurt us," said Tony; "we used to see plenty of
them where we were last." They had not, however, gone far, when Tony,
looking over his shoulder, cried out, "Here he comes though; but don't
fear, there's a rise a little farther on, and from the top of it we can
see Mr Sudbury's clearing." Still the bear followed, and got closer
and closer. Tony kept facing him every now and then. At last he cried
out, "Now's our turn, Miss Mary, turn round and shout as you never
shouted before." Mary did