He lived in the lonely log cabin, because his employer owned it and gave him the rent free.  It had been erected by some wood-choppers several years before, and was left by them when through with their contract, so that it was nothing to any one who did not occupy it.

The young man, although now the embodiment of rugged health and strength, had lain on a bed of sickness for six months, during which he hovered between life and death.  His wife never left his side during that time for more than a few minutes, and the physician was scarcely less faithful.  At last the wasting fever vanished, and the husband and father came back to health and strength again.

But he was in debt to the extent of $200, and he and his wife determined on the most rigid economy until the last penny should be paid.

“If Fred keeps his health,” said the cheery woman, “we shall be out of debt at the end of two years more.  Won’t you bring your friends and stay with us to-night?”

This invitation was given with great cordiality, and Sam would have been glad to accept it, but he declined, through consideration for the brave couple, who would certainly be put to inconvenience by entertaining three visitors.

Sam thanked her for her kindness, and, rising to go, drew back the door and remarked: 

“I notice you have a good rifle over the mantle; I don’t see how your husband can get much time to use it.”

“He doesn’t; it is I who shoot the game, which saves half the cost of food; but,” added the plucky little woman, “there is one game which I am very anxious to bring down.”

“What is that?”

“A bear.”

“Do you know whether there are any in the woods?”

“There is one, and I think more.  My husband has seen it twice, and he took the gun with him when going to work, in the hope of gaining a chance to shoot it; but, when I caught sight of it on the edge of the clearing, he thought it best to leave the rifle for me to use.”

“Why are you so anxious to shoot the bear?” asked Sam.

“Well, it isn’t a very pleasant neighbor, and I have to keep little Tommy in the house all the time for fear the brute will seize him.  Then, beside that, the bear has carried off some of Mr. Bailey’s (that’s the man my husband works for) pigs, and has so frightened his family that Mr. Bailey said he would give us twenty dollars for the hide of every bear we brought him.”

“I hope it may be your fortune to shoot all in the woods,” said Sam, as he bade her good-day again, and passed out and across the clearing into the forest.

“That’s about the bravest woman I ever saw,” said the lad to himself, as he moved thoughtfully in the direction of the limestone-rock, where it was agreed the three should meet to spend the night; “she ought to win, and if this crowd of bear hunters succeed in bagging the old fellow we will present him to her.”