It was only through the protection of a wonderful Providence that they
had escaped thus far from the fate of hundreds who, in different parts
of the country, fell victims to the innumerable forest fires.
When the two emerged from the water, they saw nothing of the bear that
had caused them so much disquietude. He had probably headed for the
other side of the pond, and was now shut out from view by the volume of
smoke which intervened.
"He'll be here after us," said the alarmed Nellie, whose nervousness was
excusable; "and I wish you would hurry away."
"I don't think there is any need to be scared, after all," replied her
brother; "the bear has all he can do to look after himself, without
bothering us."
The fugitives were in a pitiable plight. Nellie's garments were soaked
by the water through which she had passed, but the heavy heat of the air
prevented her suffering from cold, though the clinging garments caused
her to feel ill at ease; and, like her tidy mother, she longed to be at
home, that she might change them for clean, dry ones.
When Nick found they had to leave the raft, he caught up his shoes, with
the stockings stuffed in them, and, hastily tying the strings together,
slung them around his neck. He did not forget, in the excitement of the
moment, that they were indispensable.
But there was no way of saving coat, vest and hat, without running more
risk than any one ought to run, and the lad let them go, hoping that,
possibly, he might recover them after a time.
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