“How you do like to ask questions!”
“A bear! a bear!” roared Charlie, jumping out of the window and running full speed for the trap, with John at his heels. When they arrived at the spot, the trap was sprung, sure enough, and in it was a bear of the largest size, with his body across the lower log, the upper on his back, and his hinder parts on the ground.
“Ain’t he a big one!” said John: “see what handsome fur; a real jet black,”—passing his hand along his back; “they are not all so black; some of ’em are kind of brown and faded out.”
“See what claws!” said Charlie, taking up one of his fore paws and spreading apart the toes with his fingers.
“They are awful strong,” said John: “Uncle Isaac says they will stave the head of a barrel of molasses in with blows of their paws, and that he has seen ’em, when hunting after bugs and wood-worms in old rotten logs, strike with their paws, and split them right open.”
The horn now sounded for breakfast.
“How much is that bear-skin worth, Joe?” asked Charlie.
“About six dollars; perhaps more.”
“Then you’ll get some pay for your corn.”
“Yes; and then the meat is good.”