“That looks as if some wild animal was around, Joe.”
“Creation! I didn’t think of that. Do you see anything outside—I mean footprints?”
“No, it’s too dark now to see anything. Better open the door.”
Joe started to do so. But as he crossed the floor a sound from the sleeping apartment caused him to halt.
“Who’s there?” he cried.
The only answer was a soft pat-pat of feet, and a moment later a big, black bear came into view. The beast stared at Joe in astonishment, and then arose on its hind legs and came for him, uttering a low, savage growl as it advanced.
The youth did not know what to do. He was unarmed, and Harry had left the window, so he could not obtain immediate assistance. He leaped close to the fire and as he did so the bear leaped after him.
CHAPTER XVIII
A FIRE, AND WHAT FOLLOWED
“Get back there!”
Joe uttered the words mechanically, and as he did so he crouched close to the fire, and snatching a burning brand from the side, held it up in front of him.