Animal Heroes

"If you run out of food take the canoe to Ellerton's," was the brother's last word. Who was to take the canoe? There was but half a Chicken now between them and starvation, and no sign of Corney. For three interminable weeks the deadly program dragged along. It went on the same yet worse, as the sufferers grew weaker--a few days more and the Boy also would be unable to leave his couch. Then what? Despair was on the house and the silent cry of each was, "Oh, God! will Corney never come?" V THE HOME OF THE BOY On the day of that last Chicken, Thor was all morning carrying water enough for the coming three fevers. The chill attacked him sooner than it was due and his fever was worse than ever before. He drank deeply and often from the bucket at his head. He had filled it, and it was nearly emptied when about two in the morning the fever left him and he fell asleep. In the gray dawn he was awakened by a curious sound not far away--a splashing of water. He turned his head to see two glaring eyes within a foot of his face--a great Beast lapping the water in the bucket by his bed.