l 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 burnt 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 Campbell and the girls.

"You need have no fear, ma'am," said Martin; "the rifles won't miss
their mark, and, if they did, I have the dogs to let loose upon him; and
I think Oscar, with the help of the others, would master him. Down--
silence, Oscar--down, dogs, down. Look at the Strawberry, ma'am, she's
not afraid, she's laughing like a silver bell."

During this interval the bear again applied to the cooler, and burnt
himself as before; and this time, being more angry, he now gave another
roar, and, as if considering that the joke had been played upon him by
the party who were looking on, he made directly for them at a quick run.

"Now, John," said Malachi, "get your bead w