“Are you fellows all right?” called Ben.
“Yes, and we’ve shot a bear, I guess; he’s gone up that way, somewhere!” Ed shouted, excitedly.
“It’s a bear, all right enough,” Ben assured them.
Then another roar, louder and more terrifying than the first, echoed through the forest. The young hunters began to wish themselves up in the cabin with Ben.
“You stung him pretty hard, and he’s mad clear through,” warned the guide. “Stay where you are, and I’ll come down there. I don’t believe he’ll travel far. We’ll hunt him out with the light.”
The boys were relieved to know that Ben was coming to reinforce them. From what he and Bill had told them of bears, they believed they had a dangerous customer to deal with. However, neither of them was willing to act the part of coward, and they decided, if the wounded and enraged creature charged them, to hold their ground and fire another broadside.
For several minutes, which seemed hours to the boys, all was quiet. Then a low, ugly snarl sounded forth, and they heard Ben shoot.
“Look out, he’s headed your way!” cried the guide.
“There he goes! Fire!” yelled Ed, as an indistinct black form galloped awkwardly across the open space in front of them.
Their guns roared in unison; but they were several seconds too slow, and the bear, in full flight, went crashing away through the undergrowth.