things they are to tackle. We'll camp to-night
at a log shanty near the top o' timber-line, where a mate of mine
nearly lost his life. I'll tell you the story after supper.'

'I'd like that,' cried Jack, pleased at the promise of an adventure
story.

Before long they had to get out of the buckboard and walk, to help the
mule, which found it hard enough to drag up any weight at all. It was
very tiring for all, and none were sorry when they reached the lonely
little hut where they were to stay the night. Captain, the mule, was
seen after first; he was put into a tiny corral, or yard, close by, and
given plenty of baled or compressed hay, which is always carried by
people in waggons travelling long distances, when fodder is hard to
procure. Captain at once set to work to enjoy his well-earned meal and
rest, while Joe and Jack lit a fire and cooked their supper, which they
also relished.

After they had finished, Champion Joe got out his pipe and started it;
then, seating himself on a clump of wood he had rolled into the hut, he
began his story:

'This mate of mine, who got into this trouble with a bear, was a rash
young fellow who didn't know what danger meant, and often laughed and
said he'd like to meet a bear as could scare him. About four years ago
he was mining up here, and living in this very shanty. He was drilling
in the rock for ore, and had a fair-sized prospect-hole, when one day
as he was comin' back here for his grub, he came face to face with a
bear with two cubs. Of course he ought to have run back to his
prospect-hole, where he'd have been safe enough till she'd cleared off
from the spot, but no--he was that reckless, he went straight for her
and attacked her with his pickaxe, which was the only weapon he had.
He'd no chance, however, against her; and many a time has he told me
the terrible feeling he had when he struck out at her with all his
might and jest missed her. The next moment she sent the pickaxe flying
out of his hands, leaving him quite at her mercy. She caught him, and
hugged and mangled him terribly. He'd jest sense enough left to
remember that he once heard as a bear won't touch a dead man, so he,
poor chap, tried it on as a last chance for life. He lay quite stiff
and quiet, and lucky for him the trick succeeded. She loosed her grip
of him, and sniffed and sniffed round him, until I guess she thought
she must have finished him off. Then she went away with her cubs and
left