The driver
had been ordered to keep within call on the trail, as General Stanley
thought it would be impossible for Mrs. Ord and me to wade the five
miles; but the distance seemed short to us; we never once thought of
being tired, and it was with great regret we reeled in our lines.
There was a beaver dam above the picnic camp, and before we came to it
I happened to get near the bank, where I saw in the mud the impression
of a huge paw. It was larger than a tea plate, and was so fresh one
could easily see where the nails had been. I asked General Stanley to
look at it, but he said, "That? oh, that is only the paw of a cub - he
has been down after fish." At once I discovered that the middle of the
stream was most attractive, and there I went, and carefully remained
there the rest of the way down. If the paw of a mere "cub" could be
that enormous size, what might not be the size of an ordinary grown-up
bear, paws included! Mrs. Ord declared that she rather liked little
bears - they were so cunning and playful - but I noticed she avoided the
banks, also.
We had left dry clothing at the small camp, and when we returned we
found nice little retreats all ready for us, made of cloaks and
things, in among the boulders and bushes.
