SQ UI REEL-HUM TING. 141 



trees, with many berry -bearing bushes among the 

 underwood. 



To this side, then, the raft was directed, and having 

 secured it to the bank they landed, and presently 

 found themselves among the dappled shades of beeches, 

 oaks, and birches. They had not long cast inquiring 

 eyes around the branches when Jake exclaimed, 



" Hyur's for pot-pie ! " and suiting the action to the 

 word, the old trapper drew Plumcentre to his shoulder 

 and pulled the trigger. But the nimble little squirrel 

 had been quicker than the hunter had bargained for. 

 Seeing that he was discovered, he laid himself out 

 quite flat along the branch upon which he was perched, 

 and so effectually interposed it between himself and 

 the deadly weapon that the bullet glanced harmlessly 

 from the bough, scattering leaves and bark in the air. 



" Do tell ! " cried the trapper in amazement ; " that ur 

 little chap's the fust varmint that has beat this coon 

 fur long enuff. Do ee try him, lad," he continued, 

 addressing Pierre, " while I slap in the fodder." 



The young hunter raised his rifle ; but the squirrel, 

 conscious that the least exposure of his body would 

 prove fatal, slipped round the branch, rendering him- 

 self quite invisible. So active and alert was he, and 

 so cleverly did he change his position, that it was hard 

 to believe he was really there. Gaultier came to 

 Pierre's assistance, and kept watch on one side, while 

 Pierre moved round to the other. 



Round as before came the agile little animal, but to 



