ants, and things of that kind, so you will often know that bears
are around by noting stumps, hollow trees, etc., when they have clawed
at them."

The boys came over. Bob looked at the stump and then down at the ground.

"There's a track," said Bob, as he pointed at a rather big print in the
soft earth on the lower side of the stump. Sure enough, they could
plainly see the footprint of the bear.

"Will he come after us?" inquired Pud, looking around rather anxiously,
with his eyes resting finally on Mr. Waterman's rifle.

"I'll answer your unasked question first," replied Mr. Waterman. "No,
this gun would be worse than nothing for a bear. It would only wound
him, and that would only make sure of an attack. As for your real
question, there is not one chance in a hundred that the bear will come
for us. The bears in this part of the country are well-known black bears
and they have hardly ever been known to attack men unless wounded or
backed into a corner. Judging by the fact that I smelt this bear even
before I noticed this stump, I would guess that we disturbed him and
that as soon as he smelt us, away he went, and he's probably a mile away
by this time."

They then went on, and after a good climb they came out on the top of
the mountain. Mr. Waterman first led them to the southern side. The
slope fell quite abruptly to a little lake far below.

"Do you see the St. Lawrence?" asked Mr. Waterman.

"No. Where?" asked Bob.

Mr. Waterman then pointed to the south, and about fifteen miles away
they could see the broad St. Lawrence stretching as far as the eye could
reach.

"I thought that was a cloud," said Bill. "I see now that it is water,
and away off there to the right I can see a big steamer making for
Quebec."

Mr. Waterman then pointed out several lakes, giving them names and
telling them that they would visit practically all of them before the
summer was over. He told them that Lac Parent, on which they were
camping, was hidden from view by the mountains next to the one on which
they stood. It was a fine day and Bill thought that he could distinguish
the Andirondack Mountains far off to the south in the United States. Mr.
Waterman stated that this might be true, as they had been seen from this
vicinity on very clear days. After thoroughly enjoying the view to the
south, Mr. Waterman turned away and they went in a northeasterly
direction. In a little while they came to another side of the mountain.
In a s