rer is God, indeed," Fred said; and after
eating a little of the bear's meat, the boys lay down on the soft grass,
creeping close to each other, for the nights were cool. They slept
soundly until dawn, when Fred awoke and awakened his companion.

"Brother," he said; "listen, there are Indians in the neighborhood. I
hear them. And now see, they are making a fire!"

The boys crept through the woods, and when they had reached the top of
a low ridge, they saw the camp before them.

"It's the same band of Indians that burned down the log house," Fred
suggested; "I recognize some of them."

"Then let's go, for it is not safe to be near them," Matthew urged. "I
don't care to fall into their hands just now."

"The sun is rising," Fred said cheerfully, "and now we can again find
our way through the woods. Here is the direction; we go east to the
river."

They walked away swiftly, but they had not gone more than a few rods,
when suddenly they saw two large dogs running after them.

"Shoot them," Matthew ordered his companion, "they look wild and
hungry."

"Not by any means," Fred answered; "a shot in the woods will bring the
whole Indian band on our tracks."

"But what shall we do?" Matthew asked.

"Run," Fred replied.

They ran as fast as they could, looking around occasionally to see
whether they were followed by Indians, but only the dogs came after
them, gaining a little more on them as the boys became weaker.

"I am through," Matthew finally said; "I cannot run any more."

"Neither can I," replied Fred; "but see, here is a hollow log; let us
creep into it."

At once they remembered that this act was foolish, for the dogs, barking
at their prey, would eventually attract the Indians. But they had no
time to change their minds; they were dead tired, and no sooner had they
slipped into the tree when the animals were upon them.

For a moment the boys were silent, while the dogs endeavored to follow
them into the hollow log.

"Say, we are company enough," Fred muttered; "we don't need you in here.
What shall I do, Matthew? Slip me the knife."

"If those dogs are as hungry, as I am," Matthew said, "a little bear's
meat might do us good service."

"That's a great idea," Fred answered; "well, hand me some of what is
left. It is unfit for us to eat anyway."

The plan worked out well. The dogs swallowed the pieces of meat
greedily, and when Fred coaxed them with friendly words, spoken in
Pequot, they