d it please him if
they were all driven back to their dens in the great mountains towards
the setting sun?"

"It would," said the captain; "can it be done?"

"It can. It shall," said the chief with emphasis. "To-morrow let the
_captain_ keep his eyes open, and as the sun sinks behind the mountain
tops he shall see the bears follow also."

The chief kept his word. The next day the uproar on the hills was
terrific. Frightened out of their wits, the bears forsook the acorn
field and fled ingloriously to their secret haunts in the mountains to
the westward.

[Illustration: "WHAT ARE YOU CALLED, LITTLE ONE?" ASKED THE CAPTAIN.]

In joy thereof the captain gave a great farewell feast to his red
allies. It was spread under the pines in front of his cabin, and every
delicacy of the season was there, from bear steaks to beaver tails.
The banquet was drawing to a close, and complimentary speeches 'twixt
host and guests were in order, when a procession of the squaws was
seen approaching from the encampment. They drew near and headed for
the captain in solemn silence. As they passed, each laid some gift
at his feet--fringed leggings; beaded moccasins, bear skins, coyote
skins, beaver pelts and soft robes of the mountain lion's hide--until
the pile reached to the captain's shoulders. Last of all came Osito's
mother and crowned the heap with a beautiful little brown bear skin.
It was fancifully adorned with blue ribbons, and in the center of the
tanned side there were drawn, in red pigment, the outlines of a very
stolid and stoical-looking pappoose.

F.L. STEALEY.

THE LITTLE LION-CHARMER.

Outside the little village of Katrine,
Just where the country ventures into town,
A circus pitched its tents, and on the green
The canvas pyramids were fastened down.

The night was clear. The moon was climbing higher.
The show was over; crowds were coming out,
When, through the surging mass, the cry of "fire!"
Rose from a murmur to a wild, hoarse shout.

"Fire! fire!" The crackling flames ran up the tent,
The shrieks of frightened women filled the air,
The cries of prisoned beasts weird horror lent
To the wild scene of uproar and despair.

A lion's roar high over all the cries!
There is a crash--out into the night
The tawny creature leaps with glowing eyes,
Then stands defiant in the fierce red light.

"The lion's loose! The lion! Fly for your lives!"
But deathlike