MARTIN'S MOTHER PLAYED BEAR
"'What's the matter? Have I been in the river?'
"'No, mother, you played you was a bear, and I hit you over the head; I'm awful sorry.'
"'Don't say a word more, Johnny. Don't say a word more. I was an old fool. Serves me right.'
"She got up, threw the bearskin in the corner, and went about her work. In the morning I asked her again if I could go bear-hunting with the boys.
"She put her hands on her hips, looked at me, and laughed to herself, and then she said:—
"'Yes, Johnny, you can go. But be sure and take a club with you. I think you'll be a great help.'"
Just as Martin had finished his story we heard a series of the most terrific screeches and caterwauls.
"Heavens and earth, man," said Hector, "what's that? That must be the father of all cats."
"That's just what he is, and you'll think so to-morrow when you see him. That is, if he don't get away. That's what we call a bob-cat. The French call them lucivees; and he's the biggest cat in the country, except the catamount. It's just as well to leave him alone over-night. We don't want to go fooling round him in the dark."