"That would be the worst thing you could do, for in spite of their size, bears are remarkably active, and they go through the woods like a streak," said Mr. Waterman.
"I bet that you'd stand your ground, all right," said Bob. "You've lots of nerve, Pud, and that's all that's necessary in a pinch."
"I suppose I would, but at the same time, I am not aching for the experience," answered Pud.
"Men are generally braver than they think," said Mr. Waterman. "I've known pretty poor sort of fellows that would stand up in a pinch and fight like sin, either against some animal like the bear, or even against their fellows."
"I think that that's so," said Bob. "You know that in time of war, practically everybody enlists."
"Yes," said Pud, "but some of them are really forced to do it by public opinion."
"That's very true," replied Bob, "but even the fellows that do not care to enlist are just as brave as the others when a battle comes."
The conversation drifted on until at last Mr. Waterman looked at his watch and piled them all off to their blankets. They were up early the following morning. After a hearty breakfast they set out down the stream. This proved so small that they were compelled to get out of their canoes and portage. A half hour later they came into another lake, which both Pierre and Mr. Waterman recognized at once.
"I've been here before," said Mr. Waterman. "The outlet of this lake leads directly north, so that we shall hit the Portneuf River some seventy miles from its mouth. They journeyed on, and by that night they had reached the river.
"We'll have some fast water that we had not counted on when we left," said Mr. Waterman.