d, and now he must soon find more. The
problem of his escape from the Indians had been solved, but the problem
of finding his comrades was upon his mind, though it must be put off
while he solved that of food.

He considered it a miracle that his rifle had not gone into the water
with the two warriors. But was it a miracle? Was it not rather another
intercession of the greater powers in his favor? Alone in the wilderness
at such a time a rifle was at least half of life, even more, it was the
very staff of it. Without it he would surely perish. He patted the rifle
with the genuine affection one must feel for so true a weapon. It was a
fine rifle, beautiful in his eyes, with a long, slender barrel of blued
steel, and a polished and carved stock. It had never failed him, and he
knew that it would not fail him now.

He thought of the rabbits which had been such an abundant resource once.
Many of them must be in their nests under the ice and snow, and he
searched for hours but found none. Yet he could go two or three days
without food, and he did not despair, showing all his usual pertinacity,
never ceasing to look. The hunt led him into rocky ground, and, between
the ledges, he noticed an opening that caused him to take a second look.
Several coarse hairs were on the stone at the entrance, and when he saw
them he knew. It was his animal brother at home, and he did not forget
his gratitude, but he must live.

He seized a long stick and thrust it savagely inside. The bear, awakened
from the winter sleep which he had begun luxuriously not long ago,
growled fiercely and rushed out. Then Henry snatched up his rifle and
shot him. The bear had lost much of his fat, but he was a perfect
treasure house of supplies, nevertheless, and steaks from his body were
soon broiling over the coals. Henry, remembering how much food he needed
in such intense cold, and, while he was undergoing physical exertions so
great, ate heavily. As much more as he could conveniently carry he added
to his pack, knowing that he could freeze it at night, and that it would
keep indefinitely. He would have liked the bearskin too, but he did not
care to add so much to his burden, and so he left it reluctantly.

He was a new man now, made over completely. The wilderness, so far from
being desolate and hostile, took on its old comfortable aspects. It was
a provider of food and shelter to one who knew how to find them, and
certainly none knew better than he. The