It was now that Snap and Shep, as well as Whopper, got a chance to fire at the beast, and all did so hastily. But they were excited over Giant's narrow escape and their shots did no more than to wound the bear slightly, in the ear and the side. Bruin gave a growl, made a turn as if to come back, and then dove into the forest and was lost to view.
"He—he wanted my fish!" gasped Giant. "Well, he is welcome to them, so long as he doesn't chew me up!"
"What a pity that we didn't nail him," said Shep.
"Shall we go after him?" demanded Whopper. "The four of us ought to be able to lay him low."
"I am not going after him just now," answered Giant, who was still as white as a sheet.
The others talked it over for a few minutes and it was decided to follow up the bear some other time, if it could be done. Whopper and Giant were anxious to hear what Snap and Shep had to tell, and all took themselves to the Inn, dragging the sled after them.
As soon as the excitement was over, Snap and Shep told their tale in full, to which Giant and Whopper listened with close attention. The latter were sorry that Kiddy Leech had escaped, but glad that the outing had not been broken up.
"I'd rather say here than go to court and testify against that tramp," said Whopper. "I don't like to go to court."
"Oh, so would I," answered Shep. "But it was our duty to bring him to justice, if it could be done."
Giant was sorry he had lost his mess of fish, but he had no desire to try his luck again for the time being.