For an answer, both Whopper and Giant fired their shotguns and the bear received both charges in his rump. Again he rolled over and over, uttering a roar that could be heard for a long distance. He tried to arise and did so once, dragging himself toward Whopper, who lost no time in retreating.
By this time Snap was ready for another shot, and growing bolder, he watched his chance, ran in and let the bear have the buckshot directly between the eyes. Then Shep took a second shot also, hitting Bruin in the throat. This was too much for the bear, and with a quiver and a gasp he sank in a heap, and a moment later breathed his last.
"Is he—-he dead?" gasped Giant, after the bear had been quiet for a full minute.
"I think so," answered Snap. "But don't go near him yet—-he may be playing a trick on us."
"I am not going near him."
"The bear in the trap is alive!" called out Whopper, who had just made an examination.
All lost no time in reloading their weapons, and then they peered into the trap. The bear under the logs and stones gave a grunt of pain and rage.
"I'll fix her," said Snap, and, drawing close, let drive at the bear's head. It was a telling shot, and soon the bear stretched out, and then the battle with the two creatures came to an end.
"What a magnificent haul!" cried Giant, after they were certain both bears were dead.
"I wonder what Ham Spink and his crowd would say to this?" came from Snap.