“She went off efter the teer, and tidna come pack.”
“Not after deer now, gentlemen,” cried Johannes, snatching up his spear. “Quick! your guns.”
The weapons were seized, and all now caught sight of that which had attracted the Norseman’s attention; for a huge bear was seen coming down from a ravine, followed by the dog, which kept on snapping savagely at the beast’s heels, and then as the bear turned bounded out of its reach.
But the bear did not appear disposed to follow the dog, acting directly after as if it had some object in view, for it turned again, placed its nose close to the ground, and came on toward the little open camp.
“That’s my big bear!” said Steve excitedly. “How do you know?” said the captain, altering the cartridge in one of his barrels for a bullet.
“Because I came down from the mountain that way; and look, he’s smelling my footsteps.”
“Yes, that is right, gentlemen. The brute will be here soon. Shall we meet him here, or get among the rocks?”
“What do you say?” cried the captain. “Here, sir, now that we are not out of breath. If we climb, our hands will tremble.”
“But I’ve no gun,” said Steve.
“And you are not fit to use one, so leave it to us, my boy. Will it come on when it sees us, Johannes?”