CHAPTER XV.

THE CLEARING.

Uncle Tim’s premises—His log house and barn—Dinner—Uncle Tim’s account of his settlement in the woods—A table turned into an arm-chair—Splints—Holes in the floor—The river—A sagacious dog—Bill and Jim—The barn—The crops—A great fire-place—Supper—A visit to the river—A talk with the boys—The settle—“I’ll try”—Uncle Tim’s stories—The three brothers—An alarm—A bad, but laughable predicament—Good done by a bear—Going to bed, 198