WONDER TALES OF THE FOREST 57

bear would empty the fish upon the bank, and go back for another supply.

After they had gone away, the hunter went back to his home, and told the people about this strange sight.

“But who is this child?” he asked.

“Oh, it must be the little orphan boy, who was lost last fall,” they said. “We must rescue him. We will watch with you to-morrow at sunset and capture him.”

The next day, before the old bear and the little ones left their home, the old bear said to the little child, “My child, the hunters go to the stream for fish, and there they often capture those of my people. If they should take you with them again, will you not beg of them not to kill me?” V

“But how will they know you from all the others? ” the little boy asked.

“Climb a high tree, and look around,” she said. “You will see smoke rising here and there in all directions. In some places there will be more smoke than in others; then you will know that the thicker smoke comes from the homes where the mother is cooking for the little ones. These are the homes that your people should spare.”

The child promised that he would do this, if he should ever be with his people again. Then they started out to fish for smelts.