an't get there," said John, pointing to the creek.

"Oh yes, we can, in two ways. We could wade the creek up above and climb
across the shoulder of the mountain there, and maybe cross the next
creek beyond, and so get out to those rocks on the point below. Or we
can launch the dory up above and come down the coast to the mouth of the
creek, and then skirt the shore over there."

"Why don't we bring our boat over here and take it up the creek?" asked
Jesse. "We wouldn't have to row more than a mile or so, and then we'd
always know our boat was safe."

"That's a good idea," said Rob. "We'll do that this very day. Suppose we
go back now to the house."

They now turned and began slowly to walk up the creek again. Suddenly
Rob stooped down and parted the grass, looking closely at something on
the ground.

"What is it, Rob?" asked John, joining him.

The two now pushed the grass apart and looked down eagerly. Rob rose to
his knees and pushed the cap back on his forehead.

"If I didn't know better," said he, "I'd call that the track of an
elephant or a mastodon or something. See, there it goes, all along the
shore."

"But it can't be an elephant," said Jesse.

"No, it can't be anything but just what it is--the track of a bear! What
Uncle Dick said is true. Look, this track is more than half as long as
my arm."

"We'd better get back to the house as quick as we can," said Jesse,
anxiously. "That bear may come back any minute!"

IX

THE BIG BEAR OF KADIAK

The three now started up the creek toward the barabbara, their steps
perhaps a little quicker than when they came down-stream. Rob was
scanning the mountain-side carefully, and looking as well at the sign
along the creek bank.

"That's where he lives, up in that canyon across the creek, very likely,"
he said, at length. "Here's where he crossed in the shallow water, and
last night he fished all along this bank. My! I'll bet he's full of
bones to-day. It's the first run of fish, and he was so hungry he ate
pretty near everything except the backbone." He pointed to a dozen
skeletons of salmon that lay half hidden in the grass. The latter was
trampled down as though cows had been in pasture there.

"I don't know," said Jesse, soberly. "I always wanted to kill a bear,
and there's three of us now and we've got guns; but I don't believe I
ever wanted to kill a bear quite as big as this one. Why, he could
smash in the door of our house in the night and eat