CHAPTER XXVI.
AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK.
The three boys had scarcely agreed to the proposition to follow the hound, when Bowser, as if he understood their intention, rose from the ground where he had been lying, close to the camp fire, looked sharply out in the gloom of the surrounding woods, and then moved along the same course he had taken several times before.
He did not trot, but walked with a deliberate gait, as if he felt the importance of being the leader of such a party.
"It must be a wild animal," said Sam, in an undertone, "or Bowser wouldn't act that way."
"It's the bear, of course; see that your guns are ready, and when you fire be sure you don't miss," warned Herbert.
An idea suddenly occurred to Nick Ribsam.
"All wild animals are afraid of fire: let's each take a torch to keep him off."
The others eagerly caught up a blazing brand and strode forward with more confidence than ever.