At Odds with Bruin
'Ech, bairns!' exclaimed Andrew, putting a calming hand upon the head
of each of the agitated children, 'but they're an ill lot of curs to
set upon ye in that unmannerly fashion. I'm richt glad I heard the row
they were making, and thocht that maybe Dour and Dandy might be glad o'
my help. I'm sore mistaken if those snarling beasts,' and he indicated
with a sweep of his hand the Huskies now hovering at a respectful
distance, 'will be ettlin' to feel my foot verra soon. They're nae
fules, though they don't know how to be decent to strangers.'
By this time Ailie's tears were stayed, and Hector had recovered his
wind, so they continued along the beach, the collies keeping close to
Andrew's heels, giving vent to triumphant little growls whenever a
Huskie ventured within earshot.
As the sailing vessel had to lie out in the deep water, her cargo was
being brought ashore in big boats, with high bows and sterns that could
each carry a wonderful load. The process of discharging interested all
the little party, and they were standing watching it, when one of their
fellow-travellers came up, and, pointing to the boats, said: 'It's in
those barkies that we're going to the Red River. I canna say I like
the look of them ower much. They're right clumsy things, in my
opinion.'
Before Andrew could make reply, Hector broke in with an eager 'Oh, are
we truly going on those boats? Eh, but that will be fine!--won't it,
Ailie?' And he gave his sister a hearty hug, just by way of expressing
his joy.
His father smiled with grave indulgence. 'I would think ye'd had mair
than enough of the water for a spell, laddie. I wonder ye're so eager
to take to it again.'
'Eh, but that was in a big ship, father,' responded Hector, defending
himself, 'and a boat will be different, and we will go along the river
instead of on the ocean.'
'We'll see, we'll see,' said Andrew, sagely, 'the river may not be sae
guid to us as you think.'
As the season was slipping by, and as it was important for the settlers
to reach their destination in good time before the long winter came,
the preparations for the remainder of the journey were hurried as much
as possible.
Yet there seemed so much to be done, that September was at hand ere the
little brigade of 'York boats,' with their precious freight of humanity
and goods, hoisted their big sails, and moved slowly off up the river,
amid a parting volley of cheers and good wishes from the people of York
Factory, many of whom would have been glad enough to accompany them.
Hector was in the highest spirits. This method of travelling was
altogether to his liking: no longer the cramping confinement of the
sailing-ship, but the freedom of the roomy boat; no more tumbling about
among the rude billows, but smooth gliding on the bosom of the river;
no dreary waste of chill, gray water, but on either hand the
well-wooded banks glowed with varied colour, the light yellow of the
fading poplar contrasting with the dark evergreen of the spruce, while
the willows of an intermediate hue seemed to shade the two tints into
each other. Here and there the bright purple of the dogwood, the
sombre brown of the dwarf birch, and the gay yellow of the shrubby
cinquefoil gave richer notes of colour, while, to the keen-eyed,
restless boy, there was ever the hope of some wild animal--a fox, a
deer, or perhaps even a bear--being sighted as they advanced.
It was not all plain sailing, however. In some places, the current was
so strong that it became necessary to resort to tracking. Only the
women and children remained in the boat, while the men, taking hold of
a line fastened to the foot of the mast, tugged and toiled along the
river bank, one-half their number working at a time, and then being
relieved by the other; thus dragging the clumsy craft forward at the
rate of about two miles an hour.
Andrew Macrae did not shirk his share of the hard work, but of course
Hector was not expected to join the trackers, and so, accompanied by
Dour and Dandy, he scampered freely along the top of the bank, being
bidden by his father not to roam out of sight.
For some time he obeyed this injunction implicitly. But, on towards
mid-day, the collies caught a glimpse of something that caused them to
dart off into the woods, barking furiously. Carried away by
excitement, Hector followed them, running at top speed straight away
from the river.
He could easily hear the dogs when he could not see them, and so,
recking nothing of what might happen, he raced after them, until
presently the change in their barking announced that whatever animal it
was they had been chasing, they had brought it to bay.
A moment later, he came out into a little glade at the farther side of
which a big black bear stood upon its hind legs, in front of a great
tree, and made furious efforts to seize Dour and Dandy with its
forepaws, or to deal them such buffets that they would never bark again.
It was a thrilling spectacle for the most experienced hunter, but for
Hector, who had never seen any kind of a bear before, and whose
generous heart was at once filled with anxiety for the dogs that were
so dear to him, it simply made him forget himself entirely.
Rushing forward, he shouted: 'Leave them alone, you brute! Don't you
hurt my dogs!'
Considering that the dogs must have started the row, by finding the
bear in the first instance, this was rather unfair to Bruin. But
Hector had no thought for the exact justice of the case. His one
concern was for the dogs.
He had picked up a stout stick in the course of his ramble, and this he
now swung above his head in threatening fashion, little knowing that,
if he should venture within striking distance, the bear would not only
parry his blow, but knock his ineffective cudgel out of his grasp as
easily as though it were a feather.
Still shouting he hardly knew what, the fearless boy ran right up to
the combatant and, so engrossed was Bruin with his two lively
assailants, that he did not notice his coming until he was within a
couple of paces of him.
Then he caught sight of his two-legged enemy, stared at him for a
moment with manifest amazement, let forth an ominous growl, and,
dropping upon all fours, made straight for him with open mouth.
Well was it for Hector that Dour and Dandy were not less strong than
they were active and brave. They sprang upon the bear, one at either
side of his head, and before he could shake himself free, Hector, not
needing to be told that his only safety was in flight, had darted off
at the top of his speed in the direction of the river.
In hot pursuit, the bear followed, with the dauntless dogs hanging to
his flanks and greatly impeding his movements. Otherwise, clumsy
creature though he seemed, he would soon have overhauled his quarry.
Happily, Hector was no less sure than he was swift of foot. There are
few smooth places in the Highlands, and he had learned to race over the
roughest ground without a stumble.
On he went, exulting in his own speed, even though deeply concerned for
his own safety, and after him lumbered the bear, as fast as the
faithful dogs would suffer him to move. Yet, hindered and harried as
he was, Bruin steadily gained on the boy, as the latter could not help
noticing. 'I maun climb a tree!' he panted. 'The creature will na get
me there. Eh, that's a grand tree yonder. I'll rin for it.'
Changing his course slightly, Hector made for a stately pine that held
out welcoming branches at a friendly height from the ground. If he
could reach it and spring into them, he would be able to laugh at his
fierce pursuer's futile efforts to reach him. Summoning all his fast
waning strength for a supreme effort, he dashed towards the tree.