that told that somewhere the fierce brute had been struck, but to
Alec's mortification he gave some desperate bounds and finally reached
the shore. There among the rocks he suddenly dropped as in a heap. A
few seconds after, some of the Indians jumped overboard and cautiously
waded toward him through the shallow water. Their caution, however, was
altogether unnecessary. Alec's bullet had done its work, and the bear
was stone dead. The Indians found, when cutting up the body, that the
ball had gone completely through him. The wonder was that the great
brute had been able to move at all after being so struck. The bears
have an immense amount of vitality, as hunters who shoot them often find
out to their own cost. So here was the first bear killed; Alec was the
hero of the hour. While modestly he received the congratulations, he
naturally felt very proud over the accuracy of the shot that had brought
down a great black bear.

Speedily did some of the Indian hunters get out their knives and begin
skinning the great animal. While doing this they made a discovery that
very much pleased Frank, and that was that his bullet had gone clean
through the ear of the bear, and had thus caused his howls and the angry
shakings of his head which had been observed by all after Frank had
fired. As a bear's ear is very small, Frank's shot was an exceedingly
good one, when we take into consideration that he fired from a moving
boat at such a small object as the bear's head.

"First blood, anyway, for Frank," said Alec.

So it had turned out to be, although Alec's had been the shot that had
brought down the game.

The beautiful black robe and the meat were soon carried by the stalwart
men to the boats, and the journey was resumed. That evening at the camp
fire all had abundance of bear's meat for their supper. It was very
much enjoyed by all, as the meat of these animals is good, tasting
something like young pork, with a gamey flavour.

Three Boys in the Wild North Land--by Egerton Ryerson Young

CHAPTER FIVE.

ROBINSON'S PORTAGE--GUNPOWDER TRANSPORTATION--HOLE IN THE KEG--THE
FRIGHTFUL EXPLOSION--ENSCONCED AT HEADQUARTERS--DELIGHTFUL HOME IN THE
WILDERNESS--STURGEON FISHING--INVOLUNTARY PLUNGES.

At Robinson's Portage there occurred a startling accident of a most
unique character. It caused much consternation both among the boys and
the Indians.

In one of the boats, which was most carefully guarded, were quite a