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the creek from tree to tree, and, curving slightly, hung like a suspension bridge! A loud screaming, and gabbling, and chattering, and howling, proceeded from the band of araguatoes, who, up to this time, had watched the manœuvres of their comrades in silence-all except the old chief, who occasionally had given directions both with voice and gestures. But the general gabble that succeeded was, no doubt, an expression of the satisfaction of all that the bridge was built.

The troop now proceeded to cross over, one or two old ones going first-perhaps to try the strength of the bridge. Then went the mothers, carrying their young on their backs, and after them the rest of the band.

It was quite an amusing scene to witness; and the behaviour of the monkeys would have caused any one to laugh,—those who formed the bridge biting the others that passed over them, both on the legs and tails, until the latter screamed again! The old chief stood at the near end, and directed the crossing. Like a brave officer, he was the last to pass over. When all the others had preceded him, he crossed, after carrying himself in a stately and dignified manner. None dared to bite at his legs. They knew better than play off their tricks on him; and he crossed quietly and without any molestation.

Now, the string still remained suspended between the trees. How were the monkeys that formed it to get themselves free again? Of course, the one that had clutched the branch with his arms might easily let go; but that would bring them back to the same side from which they had started, and would separate them from the rest of the band. Those constituting the bridge would, therefore, be as far from crossing as ever! The one at the tail end of the bridge simply let go his hold, and the whole string swung over, and hung from the tree on the opposite bank, into which they climbed at their leisure.

Mayne Reid.

THE FORESTER'S BROTHER (CANADA).

MR. DAVENPORT, an old black gentleman, lived quite alone in a vast and solemn old Canadian forest, not far from Lake Simcoe. He was a settler, or bushranger. Grand and gloomy pine trees, too lofty for the tops to be easily seen, with trunks that require fathoms of line to span them, stood close about his log dwelling, as they had stood for ages before.

One half the year the settler's cabin was inaccessible, and it was not easy to find the path to it during the other half. Imagine then his lonely life, in such a solemn, solitary place. If he had not had great courage he would not have stayed there; but yet he felt timorous sometimes.

One night he was very much afraid. He fastened his door early and lay down to rest. Suddenly he heard a moaning under his window, and a constant rubbing noise. Tremblingly he lay all night awake, hearing the sounds at short intervals. He took care not to get up till the sun was pretty high. Then he peeped cautiously about, but saw nothing. When he went forth, you may be sure it was with his axe and gun. that the ground had been slightly disturbed.

He saw

Next night came the same strange noise; and night by night it continued to come, until at last the settler ventured to open a part of his narrow window. On looking out, he beheld, rubbing himself very composedly, a fine large bear, who looked up quietly at him with a melancholy growl.

Bruin one night had found some food that the settler had thrown out of the window, and he came to see if any more was to be had. As for rubbing against the rough logs of the cabin, that was his way of getting rid of mosquitoes.

Davenport threw him some salt pork, which was most gratefully received; and every night after that, about nine o'clock, all the summer and autumn, the bear came for his supper, meat, milk, potatoes, or whatever else could be spared. The owner of the log castle always left the food for him on the ground under the window.

The old settler formed quite a friendship with the bear, whom he called his brother. They spent many hours together, but with the stout log wall betwixt them.

Pieces for Recitation.

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"We'll try your skill," the parson cried,
"For learning what digestion,†
And this you'll prove, or right or wrong,
By solving me a question:

"Noah of old three babies had,

Or grown-up children rather;

Shem, Ham, and Japhet they were call'd,—

Now, who was Japhet's father?"

"Rat it!" cried Hodge, and scratch'd his head,

"That does my wits belabor;

But howsomde'er, I'll homeward run,

And ax old Giles, my neighbour."

*Conceive, understand.

tie. what ability really to understand. Solving, answering.

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