t him."

Malachi and John had their rifles ready immediately. Mrs. Campbell and
Mary were much alarmed, as the animal was not one hundred yards from
them.

"Do not be afraid, ma'am," said Malachi; "the animal is only after the
sugar. He likes sugar just as well as honey."

"I don't doubt but he's the same beast that you saw at the honeycomb the
other day," said Martin. "Let us stay where we are, and watch him. We
may lose a few pounds of sugar, but I expect he will make you laugh."

"I really see nothing laughable in such a terrific brute," said Mrs.
Campbell.

"You are quite safe, ma'am," said Martin, "Malachi and Mr. John have
both their rifles."

"Well, then, I will trust to them," said Mrs. Campbell, "but I should
prefer being at home, nevertheless. What a great brute it is."

"Yes, ma'am; it is a very large animal, that's certain; but they are not
very fat at this time of the year. See how he's smelling at the liquor,
now he's licking the top of it with his tongue. He won't be satisfied
with that, now that he has once tasted it. I told you so."

The eyes of the whole party, some frightened and some not, were now
fixed upon the bear, who, approving of what he had tasted as a sample,
now proceeded to help himself more liberally.

He therefore placed his paw down into the contents of the cooler, but
although the surface of the liquor was cool, the lower part was still
scalding hot, and he had not put his paw in for a moment, when he
withdrew it with a loud roar, rearing up and sitting upon his hind legs,
and throwing his burned paw in the air.

"I said so," observed Malachi, chuckling; "he has found it hotter than
he expected."

John, Alfred, and Martin burst out laughing at the sight; and even Mrs.
Campbell and the two girls could not help being amused.

"He'll try it again," said Martin.

"Yes, that he will," replied Malachi. "John, be all ready with your
rifle, for the brute has seen us."

"Why, he won't come this way, will he?" exclaimed Mrs. Campbell.

"Yes, ma'am, that he most likely will when he is angry; but you need not
fear."

"But I'm afraid, Malachi," said Mary.

"Then perhaps you had better go about fifty yards back with Mr.
Campbell, where you will see the whole without danger. There he goes to
it again; I knew he would."

Martin, who had got all the dogs collected together and fast by a piece
of deer's hide, as soon as they had discovered the bear, went back with
Mr. and Mrs. Cam