From that day she was as ready with excuses as Kenneth himself when the only alternative was to permit Lyttleton to be her escort. CHAPTER XXII. Lyttleton cordially hated Clendenin, but endeavored to conceal his dislike and ill-will under the mask of friendship, haunting the doctor's office all through the winter and spring with nearly as great persistency as during the first week of his sojourn in Chillicothe. He indulged a like feeling toward Dale, though to a less degree; hating him as a rival in love, Kenneth as that and something more. Spring opened early. Bright, warm days with hard frosts at night made the sap in the sugar maples run freely, and many farmers in the vicinity of the town were busied in catching and boiling it down. Then visits to the sugar camps became one of the popular amusements of the young people. Dale got up a party to go on horseback to one five or six miles away, inviting Lyttleton, but taking care first to secure to himself the honor of playing escort to Miss Lamar. Lyttleton was very angry when he learned this, but having promised to go, tried to console himself with the young lady he considered next to Nell in beauty and fascination. He managed to conceal his ill humor, the others seemed in high spirits, and they had a merry time. In returning they made a circuit through the woods. They were following the course of a little stream when Dale, who was taking the lead, suddenly gave a loud "Hurrah!" "What is it? what is it?" cried the others, hurrying up. "A bear's stepping place," he answered gleefully, pointing to some deep indentations in the soft, spongy ground; evidently the tracks of some large wild animal, and leading off from the water's edge into the woods. "A bear!" cried Lyttleton, horrified, "then let us hurry these ladies home with all speed." "Not much danger, sir," remarked a young fellow named Bell; "bears are lazy at this time of year, and we all have our guns. If the ladies are not afraid, I'd like very much to follow up the track and see where his bearship lodges." "So should I," said Dale. "However, we can note the spot and return to it to-morrow." "No, lead on; I'm not afraid," cried Nell. "He's likely to be in his hole any how, isn't he?" "Yes; unless he's on his way to the water here, for a drink. They come after that about once in two or three days." A consultation was held, and a majority being in favor of following up the track, they did so, finding it led them to a large hollow tree distant some few hundred yards in the depths of the wood. Nothing was seen of the bear himself, but the young men, familiar with his habits, made no doubt that he was inside the tree, and promised themselves fine sport in hunting him out, and a grand feast upon his flesh; the fat part of which is said to make a very luxurious repast when boiled or roasted with turkey or venison.