"I ain't goin' ter fall off'n the bluff 'thout knowin' it," he said to himself, in one of these [v]eclipses, "ef I hev ter stand hyar all night." The moonlight was brilliant and steady when he reached the verge of the crag. He identified the spot by the mass of broken vines, and more positively by Ethan's rifle lying upon the ground just at his feet. He called, but received no response. "Hev Ethan fell off, sure enough?" he asked himself, in great dismay and alarm. Then he shouted again and again. At last there came an answer, as though the speaker had just awaked. "Pretty nigh beat out, I'm a-thinkin'!" commented Pete. He tied one end of the cord around the trunk of a tree, knotted it at intervals, and flung it over the bluff. At first Ethan was almost afraid to stir. He slowly put forth his hand and grasped the rope. Then, his heart beating tumultuously, he rose to his feet. He stood still for an instant to steady himself and get his breath. Nerving himself for a strong effort, he began the ascent, hand over hand, up and up and up, till once more he stood upon the crest of the crag. And, now that all danger was over, Pete was disposed to scold. "I'm a-thinkin'," said Pete severely, "ez thar ain't a critter on this hyar mounting, from a b'ar ter a copperhead, that could hev got in sech a fix, 'ceptin' ye, Ethan Tynes." And Ethan was silent. "What's this hyar thing at the end o' the rope?" asked Pete, as he began to draw the cord up, and felt a weight still suspended. "It air the tur-r-key," said Ethan meekly, "I tied her ter the e-end o' the rope afore I kem up." "Waal, sir!" exclaimed Pete, in indignant surprise. And George, for duty performed, was [v]remunerated with the two "whings," although it still remains a question in the mind of Ethan whether or not he deserved them. CHARLES EGBERT CRADDOCK. =HELPS TO STUDY= Tell what happened to Ethan Tynes one day when he was hunting. How was he rescued? What qualities did Ethan show in his hour of trial? Give your opinion of George Birt; of Pete. Find out all you can about life in the mountains of East Tennessee. SUPPLEMENTARY READING The Prophet of the Great Smoky Mountains--Charles Egbert Craddock. The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come--John Fox, Jr. June--John Fox, Jr. The poetry of earth is ceasing never: On a lone winter evening, when the frost Has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills The cricket's song, in the warmth increasing ever, And seems to one in drowsiness half lost, The grasshopper's among some grassy hills. JOHN KEATS. A DEAL IN BEARS