"I wonder why he has stopped barking," said Sam.
"I guess he has got tired," was the rather original reply of Herbert, who was ready to give information, whether reliable or not.
"Bowser seems to have a way of doing things which is different from other dogs—hallo! there he goes again."
The resounding cries of the hound echoed through the woods, seemingly at a distance of a half mile, and a little to the east of south.
"I guess he has treed him!" said Herbert, striking into a trot, the others doing the same, and very much doubting whether the odd dog had ever treed anything in his life.
A short run only was necessary, when, by stopping and listening, they learned that the hound was standing instead of running. If he had been a regular hunting dog, this fact would have proven that he had brought the game to bay.
As respecting Bowser, it was uncertain what it signified.
It did not take the lads long to hurry over the intervening space, when they came upon the hound, who was standing under a large red oak, looking up and barking with all the vigor he possessed.
"He has treed the bear, I do believe!" exclaimed Sam Harper, breaking ahead of the others in his excitement.
Nick Ribsam also thought the indications pointed that way.