“Well, thin, it wor a wild goose, ony it had fower legs, so it had--whativer it wor.” At this very remarkable description the boys’ laughter burst forth afresh. “Well,” said Pat, “what wor it, thin?--wor it a bayver?” “No,” said Bart, “nor a moose, either.” “What wor it, thin?” cried Pat. “Niver did I behowld anythin like it. It had fower legs, so it had; an it had long spikes all over its back. Was it any kind of a rabbit, thin?” “It was a porcupine,” said Arthur. “Haven’t you ever seen any of them?” “Pooh!” said Bart. “Pat, look here. I’ll tell you really what it was. It was the real, identical, original, bona fide ghost, that howls and knocks in the Academy garret. _You_ ought to have known it at once. I did, the moment I saw it.” “Ah, blatheration take ye, wid yer ghosts, an yer howls,” said Pat, peevishly. “An what wor that ye said?” he asked, turning to Arthur. “What wor the name av the little baste that ye mintioned jest now, thin?” “A porcupine,” said Arthur. “Porkypine!” said Pat. “Porky pine! Well, it wor a strange baste intirely. I thried hard to get him. It ud have been a swate baste fur the Musayum, so it wud. But I cudn’t get a howld av him, bad luck to him!” “It’s lucky for you, Pat,” said Bart, “that you didn’t get hold of him. He’s got spikes enough about his back to stick you through and through, if you put your hand on him. You’ve got off very easily, Pat. You ought to say good luck to him.” “Sure an it’s mesilf that niver, niver saw the aqual av that baste, so I didn’t. I hit him mesilf wid me powl a dozen cracks--yes, a hundhred; but niver a bit did he budge for all that same. He didn’t let out ayven a squake, so he didn’t. An me a chasin av him over the wuds! But I cudn’t get nair him.” “O, well, Pat, it’s all right,” said Bruce. “You ought to be glad you didn’t get near him. You’d have been laid up for a couple of months if you had. If you don’t understand porcupines, you’d better steer clear of them. They’re not very pleasant beasts to handle. I know that. But come, boys. It’s getting darker and darker. We mustn’t stand dawdling here all night. Hurry up, and come along.” Saying this, Bruce strode forward, and all the boys followed. XVI. _Sudden and unaccountable Reunion of the two wandering Bands.--A tremendous Circle described by Somebody.--Where are we going? Scott’s Bay, or Hall’s Harbor.--Descent into the Plain.--Twinkling Lights.--Sudden Sound of Sea Surf breaking in the Middle of a Prairie._ AND now every moment it grew darker and darker. It was about eight o’clock. The sun had gone down, the shadows of night were gathering, and the fog seemed thicker than ever. As they walked on they could see but a few paces before them.