“I think you did great,” she exclaimed, after they had talked for awhile about the bear.

“Oh, I didn’t do much,” was the reply.

“Yes, you did.  If it hadn’t been for you, the bear would have killed the captain.  He told me so himself.”

“Well, I’m glad I was there to save him.  It was my good turn, that’s all, and one must never expect praise for that.  But, say, Whyn, have you seen the bear’s skin?  It’s a beauty.  The neighbours skinned it, and Phil’s father is going to take it to the city.  He thinks that he can sell the meat as well, for some people like it to eat.”

“What a letter I shall write to Douglas,” the girl replied, as she clasped her hands together.  “Isn’t it great, the many wonderful things I have to write about!”

“And I shall write to Miss Royanna,” Rod declared.  “I know she will like to hear about that bear, though she will be so sorry that the captain got hurt.”

“And will you write to your mother?” Whyn asked.

“Yes, I suppose so.  But I don’t know whether she’s interested in bears or not.  But I know that Miss Royanna is, for she’s interested in everything.  Say, Whyn,” and Rod lowered his voice, “I wish she was my mother; wouldn’t it be great?”

“Oh, Rod!” and the girl looked her astonishment.

“There, I knew you’d say that.  But I can’t help it.  I don’t know my mother, and how can I love some one I have never seen?  I suppose she’ll land here some day and take me away.  She said that she was coming last summer, but she put it off, lucky for me.”

After the excitement over the bear had somewhat subsided, the scouts settled down to the work of making wreaths.  For awhile this was carried on in the kitchen of the Anchorage, as the captain wished to be on hand, and to give what assistance he could.  It was several weeks before he was able to bear his foot to the ground, and this was a most trying time to him.  Such an active life had he always led that to be confined to the house was hard for him to endure.  Whyn was also able to be present, and sat in the big chair the captain had made, and watched with interest all that took place.  She made a few wreaths herself, though she was not able to do much, as she tired very quickly.  The scouts liked to have her with them, and she was often able to instruct them, and to pass judgment upon their work.

Another valuable helper was Miss Arabella.  It was quite remarkable the way she “happened along,” as she expressed it, whenever the boys met for wreath-making.  In fact, she and the captain became quite friendly, which was a great surprise to all.

“Guess ye’ll have to be scoutmaster, Miss Bella,” he told her one evening.

“Goodness me!” was the startled reply.  “I couldn’t handle a bunch of boys.”

“And why not, Miss Bella?”

“They’re too much like men; always wanting something, and never satisfied when they get it.”