was just pickin' out which would be the easiest death, what should we
see but somethin' bobbin' in an' out among the bushes. Say, it was
another bear! When it comes a little closer, we makes out it was a
little lady bear. No sooner does our old stern-chaser spy her than he
slides down to the groun', an' risin' up on his hind legs, throws out
his chest, an' cocks his eye at her, for all the world like a man when
he sees a pretty girl comin' his way. But when her dainty little
ladyship ketches sight of his bald-headed stomach, she just tosses up
her nose with disgust, an' wheels roun' an' makes for the tall timbers
with our affectionate friend limpin' the best he can after her.

"An' that's the last we sees o' the bear that tried to hold up the
Company's packet."

After the laughter had died down, Chief Factor Thompson yawned:

"Well, gentlemen, it's getting on. I must be turning in or my men will
be late in getting under way in the morning."


GOD AND THE WILD MEN

Drowsiness had indeed overtaken the camp. But now I must digress a
moment to tell you something that the public--at least the public that
has derived its knowledge of northern wilderness life from fiction--may
find it hard to believe. And this is what I want to say: that every
one in that whole brigade of wild men of the wilderness, from the
lowest dog-driver right up to the Chief Factor--when each had fixed his
bed in readiness for the night--knelt down, and with bowed head, said
his evening prayer to The Master of Life. Moreover, the fact that two