Tom and Jim were standing on one side of the streamlet, facing Bob on the other side, so that his back was turned toward the point at which they were gazing.
The expression on the countenance of the couple was that of extreme alarm, though such a brief time had elapsed since Bob had given them a scare that they had not yet recovered from it.
“You’re right!” Jim added, instantly, as he and Tom wheeled and dashed off at the top of their speed through the woods.
Bob was determined they should not fool him. He laughed again in his hearty fashion, throwing back and shaking his head.
“You can’t come that, boys!” he called, “it’s too soon after my little joke on you.”
“But, Bob, we aint joking,” shouted back Jim, looking over his shoulder, but still running; “the bear is coming as sure as you are born.”
“You can’t fool me.”
Bob had not the remotest suspicion that his friends were in earnest, but the sight of them climbing the same tree led him to think they were pushing their poor joke with a great deal of vigor.
At this same moment he heard a crashing and trampling among the bushes behind him, and, checking the words on his lips, turned his head.
The bear was coming!