138 THE PINE-TREE, OR 



boots, of wliicli he tried the flavor ; they were chewed up and 

 spoiled. The razor did not escape his inquisitiveness. Whether 

 he attempted to shave we say not, but he tested its palatableness 

 by chewing up the handle. 



From this position we removed a few miles further up stream, 

 where we were to construct a dam, the object of which was to 

 flow the lake, to obtain a good head of water for spring driving. 

 This job being somewhat lengthy, we erected a more permanent 

 camp for our convenience. A few evenings after our settlement 

 at this point, while all hands were in camp, we heard some one 

 moving about on the roof, where a ten-gallon keg of molasses 

 was deposited. At first it was supposed to be a trick by some 

 one of the crew ; but, on looking round, there was no one missing. 



Suspecting with more certaiirty the character of our visitor, 

 we seized a fire-brand or two, and sallied forth like a disturbed 

 garrison of ants, when we discovered that we were minus a keg 

 of molasses. Following in the direction of the retreating thief, 

 we found the keg but a few rods distant, setting on one end, with 

 the other torn out. He evidently had intended a feast, but, in- 

 timidated by the fire-brands and the hallooing, he had retreated 

 precipitately into his native haimts ; but only, as it would seem, 

 to plan another theft. About two hours afterward, when all was 

 still, a noise was again heard in the door-yard, similar to that of 

 a hog rooting among the chips, where the cook had thrown his 

 potato parings. Peering through the crack of the camp door, 

 sure enough, there was Bruin again, apparently as much at home 

 as a house-dog. 



"We had a gun, but improvidently had left our ammunition 

 at another place of deposit, about a hundred rods distant. Re- 

 solved upon chastising him for his insolence in the event of an- 

 other visit, the lantern was lighted, and the ammunition soon 

 brought to camp. 



The gun was now charged with powder and two bullets. We 



