The soft wind cradled in the green branches murmured its wonderful song, the keynote to so many melodies. It seemed as if we had gone into some enchanted country.
"It is a real forest," she said musingly. "And now one need not be afraid of Indians—" yet she peered about suspiciously.
"But there might be a bear," I said, teasingly.
"A bear!" Her eyes were large with fright and she caught my arm. "Are there really bears—"
"There was one not so very long ago. He made havoc with some pigs and the men turned out for a bear hunt. You see there's no hiding place for them on the prairies, so he ran off into these woods, and they caught him indulging in a comfortable rest. But he had sharp ears and when he found he was pursued he climbed up a tree."
"Oh, that was bright and funny too," laughing.
"But a few shots dislodged him. There was quite an excitement. So we had plenty of bear steak."
"Oh, poor fellow," pityingly.
"And they dressed the hide and gave it to the mayor—a real native robe, not quite a buffalo, though."
"Did any others come?"