FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   32   33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44  
45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   >>   >|  
rt, "we'd better gather more wood, build our wall higher and save ample fuel for the fire." The other two found the suggestion good, and all three acted upon it promptly, ranging through the forest about them in search of brushwood, which they brought back in great quantities. Robert's blood began to tingle with the activity, and his spirits rose. Now the snow, as it drove against his face, instead of making him shiver, whipped his blood. He was the most energetic of the three, and went the farthest, in the hunt for fallen timber. One of his trips took him into the mouth of a little gorge, and, as he bent down to seize the end of a big stick, he heard just ahead a rustling that caused him with instinctive caution to straighten up and spring back, his hand, at the same time, flying to the butt of the pistol in his belt. A figure, tall and menacing, emerged from the darkness, and he retreated two or three steps. It was his first thought that a warrior stood before him, but reason told him quickly no Indian was likely to be there, and, then, through the thick dusk and falling snow, he saw a huge black bear, erect on his hind legs, and looking at him with little red eyes. The animal was so near that the lad could see his expression, and it was not anger but surprise and inquiry. He divined at once that this particular bear had never seen a human being before, and, having been roused from some warm den by Robert's advance, he was asking what manner of creature the stranger and intruder might be. Robert's first impulse was one of friendliness. It did not occur to him to shoot the bear, although the big fellow, fine and fat, would furnish all the meat they needed for a long time. Instead his large blue eyes gave back the curious gaze of the little red ones, and, for a little space, the two stood there, face to face, with no thought of danger or attack on the part of either. "If you'll let me alone I'll let you alone," said the lad. The bear growled, but it was a kindly, reassuring growl. "I didn't mean to disturb you. I was looking for wood, not for bear." Another growl, but of a thoroughly placid nature. "Go wherever you please and I'll return to the camp with this fallen sapling." A third growl, now ingratiating. "It's a cold night, with fire and shelter the chief needs, and you and I wouldn't think of fighting." A fourth growl which clearly disclosed the note of friendship and understanding. "W
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   32   33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44  
45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

Robert

 

thought

 

fallen

 

intruder

 
stranger
 

divined

 

inquiry

 

impulse

 

fellow

 

surprise


friendliness
 

creature

 
roused
 
advance
 

manner

 

sapling

 
ingratiating
 

return

 
placid
 
nature

shelter

 

disclosed

 

friendship

 

understanding

 
fourth
 
wouldn
 

fighting

 

Another

 

disturb

 

curious


expression

 
danger
 

furnish

 

needed

 

Instead

 
attack
 

reassuring

 

kindly

 
growled
 

whipped


shiver

 

energetic

 

making

 
farthest
 

timber

 

spirits

 

ranging

 

promptly

 

forest

 

suggestion