wberry wants, and told me to get for her," replied
Malachi; "we will dig him out to-morrow."

"What is it, Strawberry?" said Mary.

The Strawberry pointed to her mocassins, and then put her finger on the
porcupine-quills with which they were embroidered.

"I don't know the English name," said she, softly.

"A porcupine you mean," said Mary; "the animal those quills come from."

"Yes," replied the Strawberry.

"Is there a porcupine there, Malachi?" said Mrs Campbell.

"Yes, ma'am, that is certain; the dogs know that well enough, or they
would not make such a noise. If you like, we will go for the shovels
and dig him out."

"Do, pray; I should like to see him caught," said Emma; "it shall be our
evening's amusement."

Martin got up, and went for the shovels; during his absence, the dinner
was cleared away, and the articles replaced in the basket; they then all
adjourned to where the dogs were still barking and scratching.

It was more than an hour before they could dig out the animal, and when,
at last, it burst away from the hole, they could not help laughing as
they witnessed the way in which one or two of the dogs were pricked with
the quills of the animal, who needed no other defence; the dogs ran
back, pawed their noses, and then went on again. Oscar was too knowing
to attack it in that way; he attempted to turn it over, so that he might
get at its stomach, when he would soon have killed it, but Martin
dispatched the poor beast with a blow on the nose, and the dogs then
rushed in upon it. They amused themselves selecting all the best of the
quills for the Strawberry, and then they went back again to the coolers,
to see the sugar which had been made.

As they neared the spot, Emma cried out, "There is a bear at the cooler;
look at 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 wil