“Help! help!” screamed Bob.
The bear made a dive for him and the boy cast himself forward on his face.
“What’s the matter? What is it?” cried Hank Broswick, springing to his feet.
“Indians! Indians!” exclaimed Professor Snodgrass, rolling himself tightly up in his blanket.
“It isn’t Indians! It’s a bear killing Bob!” cried Jerry.
The animal, with savage growls, had pounced on the unfortunate boy and was trying to get hold of him with the powerful claws. Bob, after his first wild screams, became quiet, digging his fingers into the earth to hold himself down.
“Wait a minute! I’ll kill the brute!” cried the hunter.
He had seized his ever-ready rifle and rushed over toward the bear. But the fierce beast was so close to Bob that Broswick could not fire without danger of hitting the lad.
“Here, boy, take the gun!” yelled the hunter to Jerry. “If you see me getting the worst of it, fire!”
“What are you going to do?” exclaimed Jerry.