st of all, Bosephus, and I shudder to think where
you might have been today if it had not been for me."

"That's so," said the little boy solemnly. "I don't suppose they'd have
even given me your skin, Ratio."

CHAPTER X

AN AFTERNOON'S FISHING

"Sitting on a bank where the bull frogs dream--
Sitting on the shore of a deep, deep stream--
Sitting on a log and waiting for a bite--
Bound to catch our supper, if we fish--all--night."

THE little boy was holding a long cane pole that he had cut as they came
along, on the small end of which he had fastened a hook and line, baited
with a lively worm. The Bear was leaning back against a tree and
watching him lazily.

"Bo," said he presently, "I shouldn't wonder if that singing of yours
scared the fish all away."

"I wouldn't say that to you, Ratio. I know if you'd wake up and take the
fiddle and play some they'd walk right out on the bank."

The Bear laughed sleepily. He was in a comfortable position and the warm
afternoon sun was soothing. He hummed some negro lines he had heard:--

"When yo' wan' to ketch fish yo' mus' jes' set an' wait--
When yo' wan' to ketch fish yo' must spit on yo' bait--
When yo' wan' to ketch fish yo' mus' git across de tide,
For dey's alw'ys bettah fishin' on de oth--ah--side."

"I shouldn't wonder if you were right, Ratio," assented Bo, anxiously.
"It does look better over there, only there's no way to get across
except this slippery looking, rotten old log, and I don't feel much like
trying that."

"Walk out on it a little way, Bo," said Horatio, getting interested,
"and throw your line over there by that cypress snag. That looks like a
good place."

Bosephus rose cautiously, and, balancing himself with the long cane
pole, edged his way a few inches at a time toward the middle of the
stream, pausing every little way to be sure that the log showed no sign
of yielding. He could swim, but he did not wish for a wetting, and
besides there were a good many alligators in these Louisiana waters and
some very fierce snapping turtles. He had heard the negroes say that
alligators were particularly fond of boys, and that snapping turtles
never let go till it thundered. He had no wish to furnish supper for an
alligator and there were no signs of a thunder storm. Hence he advanced
with great prudence. When he had nearly reached the centre Horatio
called to him.

"Try it from there, Bo! Your line's long eno