pped
off a flat piece of birch bark from a neighbouring tree, and took up a
little of the froth upon it, and placed it very carefully upon a rock on
the bank, where it would remain safely, he thought, till he was ready to
go home.

Just above where he stood was a little waterfall in the brook. The
current was stopped by some stones and logs, and the water tumbled over
the obstruction, forming quite a little cataract, which sparkled in the
sun.

Caleb threw sticks and pieces of bark into the water, above the fall,
and watched them as they sailed on, faster and faster, and then pitched
down the descent. Then he would go and _whip_ them into his landing, and
thus he could take them out, and sail them down again. After amusing
himself some time in this manner, he began to wonder why Raymond did not
come, and he concluded to take his foam, and go along. He went to the
rock and took up his birch bark; but, to his surprise, the foam had
disappeared. He was wondering what had become of it, when he heard
across the road, and at a little distance above him, a scrambling in the
bushes, on the side of the mountain. At first, he was afraid; but in a
moment more, he caught a glimpse of the cow coming out of the bushes,
and supposing that Raymond was behind, he threw down his birch bark, and
began to gallop off to meet him, lashing the ground with his whip.

At the same time, the cow, somewhat worried by being driven pretty fast
down the rocks, came running out into the road, and when she saw Caleb
coming towards her, and with such antics, began to cut capers too. She
came on, in a kind of half-frolicsome, half-angry canter, shaking her
horns; and Caleb, before he got very near her, began to be somewhat
frightened. At first he stopped, looking at her with alarm. Then he
began to fall back to the side of the road, towards the brook. At this
instant Raymond appeared coming out of the bushes, and, seeing Caleb,
called out to him to stand still.

"Stand still, Caleb, till she goes by: she will not hurt you." But Caleb
could not control his fears. His little heart beat quick, and his pale
cheek grew paler. He could not control his fears, though he knew very
well that what Raymond said must be true. He kept retreating backwards
nearer and nearer to the brook, as the cow came on, whipping the air,
towards her to keep her off. He was now at some little distance above
the cotton landing, and opposite to a part of the bank where the water