bear this time," I thought, as a twig snapped 

 faintly. Then Koskomenos swept into the 

 woods, hovering over the brush, looking J(oskomenos 

 down and rattling — Klrrr-ik, clear out I ffte ^^Oufcasf 

 klrrr-ik, clear out ! There was a heavy rush, 

 such as a bear always makes when alarmed ; 

 Koskomenos swept back to his percii ; and I 

 sought the shore, half inclined to make my 

 next hunting more even-chanced by dis- 

 posing of one meddlesome factor. " You 

 wretched, noisy, clattering meddler!" I mut- 

 tered, the front sight of my rifle resting fair 

 on the blue back of Koskomenos, " that is 

 the third time you have spoiled my shot, and 

 you won't have another chance. — But wait ; 

 who is the meddler here .? " 



Slowly the bent finger relaxed on the trig- 

 ger. A loon went floating by the point, all 

 unconscious of danger, with a rippHng wake 

 that sent silver reflections glinting across the 

 lake's deep blue. Far overhead soared an 

 eagle, breeze-borne in wide circles, looking 

 down on his own wide domain, unheeding 

 the man's intrusion. Nearer, a red squirrel 

 barked down his resentment from a giant 



