Flossy had lately taken to waddling away towards evening for a swim in the warm lake, and never came back without something in her mouth.
So nobody was surprised when they missed her from the fire, only, as she stayed rather longer to-night than usual, and as the long twilight would soon end, Tom took up his rifle and went off all by himself to look for her.
"Oh, dear!" cried Pansy, as the sound of a shot startled everyone in the fort.

"Tom's gone and killed something!" "Let's run and see," said Frank.

Veevee and Briton had already rushed off.
They found Tom at the lake-side, standing over a huge dead bear, with Flossy near him.
"That bear," said Tom, laughing, "was keeping poor Floss in the lake; but he won't do so again.

Isn't he a fine one ?" "Yes," cried Frank; "he is indeed." "And now, children," said Tom, when he was once more seated in front of the camp fire, "the question of lights is settled for good.

Frank and I are going to make candles out of that bear's tallow." "Yes, Pansy, we are.