"Hallo, my friend? what are you firing at?"
The voice was such a cheery one that the courage of Herbert instantly came back, and it may be said that he was never gladder in all his life to see a person.
"Why, I thought that was a wild animal—that is, a bear, in the path in front of me; what is it?"
The man laughed heartily.
"The path makes a little bend right there, so it is not in, but beside the path; it is an oak stump on which you have been wasting your lead."
"But those glaring eyes—"
"That is fox-fire, which does look odd in the night-time."
"But I heard it growling."
"Be assured it was all imagination, my young friend; there is no bear or wild animal near us—at least he hasn't shown himself yet."
"Well, I'm blamed glad to hear it, for there isn't much fun in hunting wild beasts when it is too dark to aim well: may I ask how it is you happen along here without a gun?"