ly reply to the captain's
sarcastic remark. They were in great spirits, and the tramp through
the woods filled them with joy. It was merely a winter-road they
followed, used by farmers for bringing out their logs and fire-wood.
It was very crooked, too, and rough, but in a short time the deep snow
would cover up the latter defect, and the jingle of bells would echo
among the trees. Now it was the talk and laughter of the boys which
alone disturbed the peaceful silence.

After having walked a little over half an hour, they came to a place,
somewhat open, and here they found club-moss in abundance lining the
ground. To their left, the rippling of the brook could be heard
flowing on its way to the river. Ahead of them stood the thick forest
of pine, fir, and spruce. It was a cool November day, and when the
boys started from home their warm mittens had felt good. But the brisk
tramp had set their blood in rapid circulation, and with bare hands
they now gathered the moss and stuffed it into bags which they had
brought with them. They worked with a hearty good-will, vying with one
another, each striving to have his bag full first.

Their task was almost finished, when Gyp's savage barking up among the
thick trees arrested their attention.

"Let's go and see what he's got," Rod suggested.

"Oh, it's only a squirrel he's treed," the captain contemptuously
replied, straightening himself up for an instant from his bent
position. "It's all that critter's good fer. If he'd something big
it'd be worth while."

For a few moments longer the boys worked in silence. But they could
not keep their attention away from Gyp, whose barks were now becoming
more savage and insistent than ever. That he was in a great state of
excitement was quite evident. Even the captain was at last forced to
take notice.

"It does seem that he has something more'n a squirrel," he remarked.
"Maybe it's a coon he's got up a tree. They're thick over there along
that bank. Guess we might as well go and see what's up, anyway."

At this the boys were delighted. They wanted to explore the deep
recesses of that forest, and now that there was some excitement there
made the longing all the greater. They followed in Indian fashion
after the captain, who strode rapidly forward, with his rifle in his
right hand.

Gyp's barking sounded louder the nearer they approached. The boys as
well as the captain strained their eyes ahead, anxious to find ou