George Nidiver stood still, And looked him in the face; The wild beast stopped amazed, Then came on with slackening pace. Still firm the hunter stood Although his heart beat high; Again the creature stopped, And gazed with wondering eye. The hunter met his gaze, Nor yet an inch gave way: The bear turned slowly round, And slowly moved away. What thoughts were in his mind, It would be hard to spell; What thoughts were in George Nidiver's, I rather guess than tell. But sure that rifle's aim, Swift choice of generous part, Showed in its passing gleam The depth of a brave heart. [Illustration] MARCH AND THE BOYS. MARY D. BRINE. March, you're a jolly old fellow, I know; They may call you a _blustering_ old chap, but you blow For us boys and our kites and we don't care a fig, For the hats and the dust that go dancing a jig. Puff out, you old fellow, blow hard or blow high, At our _kites_ you may bluster, and "_blow_ them sky-high!" Nobody will find any fault, but the girls-- And _they_ make a fuss 'cause you "_blow_ out their curls!" You're just _our_ own season--we've waited for you; And our kites are all ready, so strong and so new, You jolly old fellow, if _you_ were a boy, _You'd know_ why the March-month gives us such joy. It is fun to stand high on the top of a hill, And pay out your string--let it run with a will; It is fun to "hold hard" while your kite pulls away, And the wind blows a gale! ah! kite-flying is gay. The ladies complain that you "_blow off their veils_," But never you mind, give no heed to their tales, Devote yourself wholly to boys and their kites, And trust to the _boys_ to fight hard for your rights. For, March, you're the jolliest old fellow we know, And we like you the better, the harder you blow! When you marched in upon us, we gave you a shout, And we'll miss you at last, when 'tis time to _march out_. [Illustration] [Illustration: "BIVOUAC OF CRUSADERS."] [Illustration] THE CRUSADES. OR THE WARS OF THE CROSS. Adapted from Joseph F. Michaud's History of the Crusades. It was for a long time the custom among the devout Christians of France, Germany, Italy and England, to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem and pray at the many spots made sacred by the events in the life of Jesus, especially at the Holy Sepulchre. The people who lived there did not object to these pilgrimages, especially as those who came, spent money and increased their trade.