trail on the river. It was time to go home.

"Thank you, Father Kingfisher," answered Little
Bear. "I was having such a good time that I forgot
I was far from our little house, but I shall run back
fast now. So good night!"

And away he ran. But before he had passed more
than three bends of the river he saw a man fishing,
and in the woods near by was a tent, with a bright
camp fire burning, and beside the camp fire, a man
cleaning a gun.

Little Bear was so frightened that he sat down and

[Illustration: Father Kingfisher saw him]

cried. Mother Skunk heard him, for she and her six
children were out hunting beetles for supper.

"What is the trouble?" she asked. "What is the
matter, Little Bear?"

Little Bear told her about the two men, one on either
side of his path. "And I am afraid to go by them!"
he wailed.

"Come, come, child, dry your eyes," said Mother
Skunk. "You have always been kind to my children, and
now I will take care of you. Stop crying and follow me."