[Illustration]

Now, probably this pile saved some of their lives. It had been placed
there about five days before Christmas, and a huge bear, who had the
nightmare I suppose, came yawning out of his cave and down the
mountain-side.

He had shambled along to about the centre of the bridge, then lain down
among the wood and gone off to sleep.

He slept so soundly that he did not hear the boys crossing over to set
the bonfire ablaze.

But when the smoke and crackling flames got towards him he started up and
began to trot off, coughing and roaring till all the hills sent back the
sound.

So awful was the echo that the boys were for a time almost
terror-stricken. They thought that about a score of bears had left their
snow-caves and were swarming down the hill.

Tom fired his rifle, but missed. Veevee wanted to follow up.

"Only just let me get at him," cried the little rascal, "and I'll tear
him limb from limb!"

Anyhow that was a fine fire, and it lit up the lake and the woods all
about, while the numerous sparks that rose and fell in the air were like
golden rain.