"Come on, and
let's explore the island. You know it used to be a famous bear's den,
don't you?"
"I should think I ought to know it, having heard father tell the
story of the animal's capture a dozen times or more. He must have
been a monster: he was so large and heavy that it was all a span of
mules could do to drag him from the shore of the lake, where he was
taken out of the boat, up to the house."
"And didn't he make things lively before he was killed, though?" said
Don. "He destroyed nine dogs and wounded two men. I'd like to take
part in a hunt like that."
"Well, I wouldn't. It looks gloomy in the cane, doesn't it? What
would we do if we should find a bear in there?"
"I don't know," answered Don, with a laugh. "Our guns are loaded with
small shot, and they would hardly penetrate a bear's thick skin. If
he should come at us, I'd be a goner, sure, for I am so stiff I
couldn't run to save my life. But I don't think we'll find----Halloo!
Bert, just look here!"
A chorus of exclamations followed, and Godfrey and Dan looked at each
other and scowled fiercely.
"That's my canoe," said Don, and they heard the oars rattle as he
stepped into it.
"There's no doubt about that," said Bert, in surprised and delighted
tones; "but how came it here?"
"That's the question.
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