“Shoot him, Jack!” cried Nat.
But Jack did not need this advice. Dropping on one knee he took quick aim and pulled the trigger. At the sound of the shot bruin lurched forward, and without the loss of a second Jack pumped in another cartridge and let him have it right in the head.
Then the big, tawny brute, with a scream, launched himself forward, and doubling up into a ball, began to roll down the mountain-side, straight toward where Sam and Nat stood.
“Look out!” cried Jack, for he saw that the bear was in his death struggle, and might attack his chums.
Sam and Nat needed no warning, but as they turned to get out of the way of the infuriated creature, Nat’s foot slipped. He fell, and, to save himself, he clutched at Sam. They both went down in a heap, rolling over and over, but a few feet in front of the bear, that came bounding after them, clawing up dirt, stones and little shrubs as it tried to stay its progress.
CHAPTER XXV
SOME PECULIAR MARKS
“Shoot! Shoot!” cried Will Williams, who had remained to one side. “Shoot him again, Jack!”
“I can’t! I may hit Sam or Nat!”