[figure description] Page 189.[end figure description]

HE determined not to land. “After stealing your
boat, I've come to borrow it. We have a rather
large quadruped here, which we want to ship to
the end of the pond.”

The loan was granted, and the picnic-party went to look
at the bear. Only the seeress remained, sitting on the shore,
watching the water, apparently indifferent to bear-hunters and
bears.

“Beautiful! wonderful!” said a man with a forked switch
in his hand, poking it into Bruin's hair; “but how much
more beautiful and wonderful alive! How could the brothers
find it in their hearts to take the life of this noble creature?”
half closing one eye, with a look of solemn moral inquiry
directed at Guy.

“You would have thought him wonderful, though maybe
not so beautiful, if you had met him alone in the woods,”
Guy answered pleasantly.

“Bears have a way of gitting outside of lambs like you,
Mr. Murk,” said Mad.

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“Ah, my young brother! Don't you recognize the young
brother, Sister Lingham?”

“Certingly,” said Sister Lingham.

“These folks don't know how wicked I be, or they wouldn't
call me brother,” chuckled the youth.

“All men are our brothers; all God's creatures are our
brothers,” said the philanthropist. “That bear is our brother.
We love him; we love all. Is it not so, Sister Lingham?”

“Certingly,” smiled Sister Lingham.

Aaron was disgusted. “We loved that bear to death: is
that the way you love your brothers?”

Murk regarded him with his most phlegmatic sapient squint.

“I think I recall that countenance. A very material brother,
Sister Lingham; an unbelieving brother; who upon one
occasion was urgently advised to take my life: but still my
brother!” And he offered his hand, which Aaron pressed
somewhat malevolently. “Oh, oh!” — the philanthropist
straightened his fingers to let the expelled blood circulate
again. “Very cordial, brother, but rather too much of a
good thing!”

“Fact,” said Aaron: “too much brotherly love gets to be
a leetle disagreeable sometimes. So I guess we won't shake
hands again right away, brother!”

In the mean time, Archy, finding himself in the society of
mediums, showed symptoms of jerking. That pleased Mr.
Murk, who wagged his fist, and said it was Swedenborg's
wish that the “mediumistic brother” should remain. But

[figure description] Page 191.[end figure description]

Guy pushed him into the boat, which he hastened to get off
with its load. Mad and a broken-legged dog accompanied
them; making, together with the bear, a quite sufficient
freight.

Guy nursed poor Ranger's hurts, while his companions
plied the oars. It was now two o'clock.

“I tell you!” said Archy, “I wish I had that basket
o' berries I left up on the hill: wouldn't they taste good?”

“'Most any thing would taste good jest now,” replied Mad
with a famished expression. “I feel as if I had Aaron's
clo'es on!”

“Archy,” said Guy, examining the bear's wounds, “you
are the hero of the day: you drew the first blood.”

“Gracious! I did, didn't I! peppered his muzzle, I swan!
Say, didn't I shoot within a mile of him?” Archy appealed
triumphantly to Mad, who sneeringly replied that a little
charge of bird-shot wasn't any thing.

At the head of the lake the bear was disembarked, and the
boat cleansed. The boys had done their share of rowing;
and it was now Guy's turn.

“Get a wagon, and don't wait for me,” he said, as he set
off.

Archy and Mad, leaving Ranger with the bear, went to a
farm-house for a team, whilst Guy returned alone with the
boat.

Alone on that lake in the wilderness. The day was calm;
the water was glassy smooth. Duplicate woods enclosed it

[figure description] Page 192.[end figure description]

all around, — forests above the surface, and forests inverted
below. Not a bird flew over; not a fish leaped; not a sound
of life, save the oars plashing and the waves lapping. The
excitement of the chase was over; and now Guy had a chance
to think.

The lake was long and narrow, and broken into straits
and inlets by low jagged shores. It seemed the loneliest lake
that ever was. Here dismal ledges just put their dark backs
above the still water. All up and down the beaches were
scattered fragments of brown stone, that gave to the scene a
dreary aspect of desolation. Lines of flood-wood lay at highwater
mark around the shores, whitening in the sun. The
solitude was oppressive: it seemed too utterly savage and
lonesome even for the heron and the wild drake.

Guy rowed slowly by woody points and little sleeping
coves; now in the sun which burnished the lake with fire,
and now under the cool shadows of primeval trees. A gloom
was on his spirit; and, while the boat seemed floating over the
craters of old volcanoes, he felt that his life was also gliding
upon awful abysses glassed over with transient illusions.

For comfort, he reviewed his late experiences of spirit-power,
which had at other times filled him with hope and
rejoicing. But now he felt only doubts and vague longings, —
a faintness and gnawing hunger of the soul. A desire to be
fed with fresh experiences burned within him. Was it for
that purpose that the Powers which ruled his life had brought
him here? He heard voices, and, glancing over his shoulder,

[figure description] Page 193.[end figure description]

saw the seeress still sitting on the beach, apart from her companions,
musing, and (something whispered) waiting for
him.

But he remembered Lucy, her fears, and his sacred promise.

Strong as his thirst was to taste once more the wine of
spiritual influence, he firmly resolved to resist it; and approached
the point, fully intending to return the boat, and
depart as soon as courtesy would permit.

But scarcely had the bow touched the sand, when some
one sprang into it.

“Push off again!” was spoken rather imperiously by a
well-remembered voice.

Guy felt a strange excitement throb through his nerves.
He was alone with the seeress. There was fascination in the
thought. But Lucy? He hesitated.

“Do as I say! won't you? I have been waiting all this
time. It is what I came here to-day for: I knew you would
be here. Quick, before any one comes!” And, as he still
declined to act, she seized an oar, and pushed off the boat.

When Mad and Archy came with the wagon, they found
four hunters sitting around the bear on the beach, talking
over the adventure.

“Where is your pitchfork?” asked Aaron.

“Didn't some one bring it?” said Mad with angry surprise.
“Jehiel had it; so did Guy.”

[figure description] Page 194.[end figure description]

“But you took it afterwards, and threw it to see it stick
in the sand,” said Jehiel.

Muttering with discontent, but hoping that he should meet
Guy bringing the fork, Mad hurried back through the woods.

The others did not wait, but, finding that they had more
than a wagon-load of bear and dogs and men, set off for
town. At every house, they had to stop and exhibit their
prize.

“What a monster!” said little Doctor Biddikin, perching
bareheaded on a wagon-wheel, and looking over. “Most
extraordinary! It is the largest bear I ever sor! How
did you kill him?”

“He got at the least ca'c'lation six bullets and a knife
into him, — not to speak of the dogs, — 'fore he give up,”
said Aaron. “Bears are awful contrary 'bout dyin'.”

“Exceedingly tenacious of life,” said the doctor. “You
must give me a piece of the meat.”

“You shall have some, if only for that boy's sake,” —
Aaron gave a compassionating glance at poor little Job.
“He is starved!”

“Starved? that boy? Job starved?” The wee man
straightened himself on the wagon-wheel, with his skinny
neck outstretched, as if he was going to flap his arms, and
crow. “Starved, indeed! If you could see him at his dinner!
He is an enormous eater! an enormous eater! Ain't
you, Job? Tell the truth, Job!”

“Y-a-a-s!” drawled the little wretch with a sickly, inane
smile.

[figure description] Page 195.[end figure description]

“Run to the house, Job, and bring the carving-knife! —
An enormous eater!” repeated the doctor. “You must cut
us a very large piece, Aaron. But a bad boy!” — in a
whisper, — “a very bad boy! untruthful, very untruthful!”—
shaking his head and compressing his lips significantly.
“He tells lies!”

“He has told one,” said Aaron. “If I should say I was
an enormous eater, now,” — swelling his great chest, — “folks
might believe me. But that boy! or you, Doctor Biddikin!”—
and he humorously took the little man under his arm,
lifted him from the wheel, and set him softly, as if he had
been an infant, upon the ground. “Poor as ever, I see!”
he laughed; while all laughed with him, except the doctor,
who put his hands together, with a smirk of offended dignity,
and leaned forward on his precise toes, saying, —

“You can hardly call a man poor who owns the largest fortune,
probably, in the State.”

“I meant poor in the ribs,” replied Aaron, preparing to
drive on. “We all know what a millionnaire you be; but
you haven't the heft of a wisp of hay.”

“I am a wronged and distressed man; I confess that,”
said the doctor tremulously. “I am a victim of plots.
You have wiled my son away, my Madison,” — he shook
his shrivelled head with grief and resentment, — “and you
keep him from me by your plots and deceits!”

Aaron laughed. “Can't cut the bear now, doctor,” he
said, and drove on. But Jehiel remained behind to speak a
comforting word to the poor old man.

[figure description] Page 196.[end figure description]

“Nobody keeps my son from me, do you say? Don't you
believe that! He were always one of the most dutiful boys,
save when he were led away by others. My heart is well-nigh
broken. If you see him, do send him home: influence
him to come back, if you can. And see that I have a piece
of that bear, won't you? And, wait a moment!” — mysteriously:
“can't you lend me a couple of shillings for a few
days?”

Out of pity, Jehiel gave him what change he had, and hurried
on.

“That's the talk! Laugh Jack!” impishly screamed
the crow from the eaves.

“Stop your noise, Jack!”

“Ha, ha, ha!” said Jack.

Angry at he knew not what, the doctor looked round for
something to throw at the saucy bird. His eyes lighted
upon poor little Job standing in the door-yard, with fear in
his face, and a carving implement in his hand.

“Ha! come here, sir!” Biddikin concluded that it was
Job he was angry at, and not the crow. “Why didn't you
bring that knife before? What did you come out and show
yourself to the men for, and get me insulted? You villain!”
He took him by the ear, which was conveniently long in consequence
of frequent and very thorough stretching, and led
him by that appendage into the house.

Madison came presently down the road, and partly because
he heard Job scream, but chiefly because he was hungry,
resolved to give his parent a call.

[figure description] Page 197.[end figure description]

“Hello!” he shouted, bursting into the room where Job
was undergoing fustigation.

Biddikin started with alarm; but the crow, flying in with
the visitor, cried jubilantly, —

“Mad's come home! Laugh, Jack! Ha, ha! ha, ha!”

Upon which the doctor, recognizing his affectionate boy,
rushed to embrace him.

“Look out there!” said Mad in his rowdyish guttural:
“you'll git hooked with the little horns!” And he aimed
the pitchfork at the paternal bosom.

“Madison! my son! my long-lost, my darling boy! is it
you?”

“Wal, I bet!”

“Give me one embrace!”

“Not a darned embrace!”

“Madison! my son! what do you mean?” gibbered Biddikin.
“What for do you come at me with a fork?”

“What for did you go at that boy with a club?”

“I — I were just threatening him.”

“You struck him! — Job,” said the junior, “didn't he
strike you?”

“Y-a-a-s!” gasped poor little Job.

“Job!” cried the senior, “dare you say I struck you?”

“N-o-o!” gasped poor little Job.

“Job, look here! didn't I see him strike you with that
broom-stick?”

“Y-a-a-s!” faltered the terrified Job.

[figure description] Page 198.[end figure description]

“Job, speak the truth!” vociferated the doctor menacingly:
“did I strike you with the broomstick?”

“N-o-o!” said Job.

“There! now remember,” cried Biddikin: “once for all,
did I strike you?”

Job caught the junior's eye, and, concluding that he was
most to be feared, gasped out, —

“Y-a-a-s!”

“You mean,” cried the senior, “that you deserved to be
struck.”

“Y-a-a-s,” came feebly from the boy's starved and bewildered
soul.

“What for did you deserve it?”

“For telling lies,” he answered like a child reciting his
catechism under trying circumstances.

“And what do we do with bad boys that tell lies?”

“Lick 'em!” was the correct response.

“Ha, ha! lick 'em!” screamed Jack.

“And what becomes of bad boys that tell lies, when they
die?”

“Go to hell!” was the formal answer.

“Go to hell!” screamed Jack.

“And what becomes of old sinners who learn 'em to tell
lies?” demanded Mad in great wrath and disgust. “You
treat that boy just as you used to me. You licked me one
day for lying, and the next for not lying, Do you wonder
I despise and hate you? — you stuffed mouse-skin! you

[figure description] Page 199.[end figure description]

galvanized toadstool! I'm bad enough, thanks to you; but
I swear I'll take Job's part. Come here, Job!”

Job started timorously.

“Don't you go, Job!” Job started back with a gasp.
“You've no business with Job.”

“Haven't I? What'll become of him then? What become
of t'other boy?” asked the junior with the expression
of a laughing hyena. “Say, you dressed-up drumstick!
what become of Martin?”

Biddikin recoiled before that keen, knowing, savage, malicious
look.

“Martin — he ran away; you know, you know, he ran
away!”

“That skeleton of a boy, with them legs of his, run
away?” jeered the junior. “Look here!” — he lifted his
malign, accusatory finger, — “I know as well as you that he
never left this house.”

“'Sh!” interposed the excited senior. “Job, Job, go to
the woods for chips, right away.” He thrust the boy out.
“Madison, why do you talk in this insane manner?”

“'Cause I know! and, if you don't take care, I'll blow on
you!”

“I thought you had more sense than to catch up what
that reckless medium said!”

“'Twan't what she said, but the way you looked, that told
the story.”

“I looked!” articulated the frightened little man, “did I —
did others notice?”

[figure description] Page 200.[end figure description]

“They might, if they had suspected what I did.”

“It's all wrong: there is nothing in it, I assure you!” said
Biddikin most emphatically. “And you must take care
what you say, or you'll make mischief.”

“Wal, I ain't going to kick up a row: only let Job alone,
and give me something to eat,” said Madison.

“That sounds like my son! Sit down: I'll see what I've
got.” Biddikin ransacked an empty cupboard “Come
now, Madison, stay at home: we'll live like princes here, —
like princes!” — bringing forth a piece of cold corn-cake.

“Like princes!” echoed Mad with scornful laughter.
“And is this the grub of princes?” blowing the unsavory
crumbs from his lips, with intent to hit the paternal face.

“They have promised me five dollars a week to live on
while they are digging, and a quarter of the money found,
if I will only sign papers,” said the doctor. “I've stood
out so far. I know too much for 'em. I'm suspicious of
papers. They have got six thousand dollars pledged, and they
are only waiting for me. I think I may consent.”

“Oh, what a fool if you don't!” cried the junior. “Five
dollars a week!”

“And a quarter of the money: that'll be a brilliant fortune,
a very brilliant fortune! — What's that?”

“A pop-gun Guy let me take. I want to hide it. 'Twill
come in use some time. I'll tell him it's lost.” And Madison
concealed the pistol in a corner of the cupboard.

“It will be safe there: I won't say a word,” said the

[figure description] Page 201.[end figure description]

doctor with a shrewd smile. “Come, my son! won't you
stay? Haven't you got tired of being a servant and degrading
yourself?”

“When you are having your five dollars a week, and can
afford better fodder than this, then'll be time for you to talk.”
And shouldering his fork, in spite of threats and importunities,
the youth put his cap saucily on one side of his head,
and went off, swaggering, and munching johnny-cake.

The bear had by this time arrived at Jehiel's house. Mrs.
Hedge saw her husband, and uttered a cry of joy. But
Lucy's heart contracted; for, among all the hunters returning
safe to their homes with their trophy, she could not see her
lover.

Did he not know how anxious she would be? and would
he not hasten to re-assure her if he was unhurt? Surely;
else he did not love her.

Hannah set out bread and milk and berries for her husband's
refreshment. As he ate, he related the adventures of
the day. Whilst he was talking, he happened to look out,
and saw young Biddikin going by with his pitchfork.

“Perhaps Mad has seen him!” He ran to the door.
“Hello, Biddikin! Where's Guy?”

“In a fancy place!” Mad laughed, and entered the
yard.

“Did you see him when you went back?” Jehiel inquired,
while Lucy listened.

“Wal, I bet! And wished I was where he was.”

[figure description] Page 202.[end figure description]

Seeing indications of something to eat, Mad came boldly into the
house. He was a little abashed at sight of Lucy, whom he
addressed, however, with off-hand politeness as he sat down.
“I guess,” said he, “I may as well hold my tongue about
Guy!” significantly alluding to her interest in him.

“Is he coming home?”

“I don't see it!” Biddikin chuckled. “Not right
away, I guess! Oh, that young woman has got a devil in
her! Did you see how she looked at him? Don't care if I
do take a bowl of milk! Guy see her over to our house
when we had a setting there. She baited her hook for him
then: I had my eyes peeled! Wal, berries be good!”
and he helped himself liberally.

Jehiel and his wife wished him a thousand miles away.
But he remained, eating without invitation, and talking without
being questioned.

“I didn't tell you where Guy was when I went for the
fork. He was in the boat. Good reason why he wanted to
take it back there! Sly, Guy is! He was having a fancy
time; bet yer life on that! Who do ye s'pose was with
him? 'Twas the young woman with the devil in her! Ha,
ha, ha!”

Lucy vanished from the room like a ghost.

p730-208

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