every one of us, an' for
the next few seconds there was a mess of arms an' legs an' tails
frantically tryin' to disentangle themselves. But, as good luck would
have it, I went down upon the gun. As I rose to my feet, I slipped a
cap on the nipple just as the bear comes chargin' around the fire
facing us. I ups an' lets him have it full in the mouth. The shot
nearly stunned him. While he was clawin' the pain in his face I had
time to re-load, an' lets him have it behind the ear, an' he drops dead
without a whimper.

"Then--would you believe it?--the Archdeacon goes up to the shaggy
carcass, puts his foot on the bear's head, an' stands there lookin' for
all the world like British Columbia discoverin' America, an' says:

"'There, now, Billy Brass, I hope you have learned a lesson. Next time
you will know where to place your trust.'

"Well, sir, the way he was lettin' on that he had saved the whole
outfit made me mad. So I ups an' says:

"'Yes, sir, an' if I hadn't put me trust in me gun, there would have
been another Archdeacon in heaven.'"

THE TRUTH ABOUT WOODSMEN

It was now growing late. For a while the smiling Indians, half-breeds,
and white men smoked in silence; then one after another, each knocked
the ashes from his pipe, arose, stretched himself, and sauntered off to
his bed, whether in a tent, under a canoe, or in the open. Walking
down to the water's edge I watched the moonlight for a while, then
passed quietly from one smouldering fire to another. Some of the men
were still talking together in low tones so as not to disturb those who
were already seeking slumber, while others were arranging their
bedding; and still others were devoutly kneeling in prayer to The
Master of Life.

Thus during the four seasons of the year I had lived with and observed
the men of the northern wilderness; and not only had I learned to like
and respect them, but to admire their generosity and honesty, their
simplicity and skill, their gentleness and prowess; and, above all, to
honour their spiritual attitude toward this world and the next. How
different they were from the city dwellers' conception of them! But
still you may want further proof. You may want first-hand knowledge of
those northern men. You may want to study their minds and to look into
their hearts. Then may I ask you to read the following letter, written
a few years ago by an old Canadian woodsman--Mr. A. B. Carleton--who
was born and bred in