“Into the sleeping-room. I don’t think he is hurt very much.”
The doorway was not far from the chimney, and with the firebrands still in his hands, Joe made his way to the door. Then the fastening was removed and he plunged outside.
“Good!” cried Harry. “Are you hurt?”
“Not a scratch. But it was a close shave,” and Joe heaved a sigh of relief.
“What is the bear doing?” asked Fred.
“I don’t know.”
“Fasten the door from the outside,” said Joel Runnell. “We don’t want to lose that animal.”
A stout stick of wood was handy, and this was propped up against the door, so that it could not be budged unless torn from its hinges.
While the young hunters were doing this Joel Runnell watched the window, with his rifle ready for use, should the bear make its appearance.
“You don’t expect to go in there after the bear, do you?” questioned Fred. “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars.”