The general, who was busy putting away his papers, turned and looked at Don.
“She was the largest bear I ever saw alive, and it took a bullet and two loads of buckshot to settle her,” continued the boy.
“I hope you will not get into any trouble during your hunting expeditions,” said the general, but it was easy enough to see that he took a fatherly pride in Don’s exploit.
“The strange part of the story is, that when Bert and I reached the island we found Bob Owens and Lester Brigham there, and the old bear had treed them both.”
“That is the second time they have been treed to my knowledge.”
“Sir?” said Don, who knew nothing of the attempt that had been made on the negro cabin.
“Go on with your story,” replied the general, “what were Bob and Lester doing on the island?”
Don hesitated a moment, turning his father’s words over in his mind and trying to fathom their meaning, and then proceeded to give a hasty account of the thrilling incidents that had happened on the island that morning. The general opened his eyes in surprise, and in response to Don’s request that he might have help enough to secure the cubs and remove the old bear, said:
“Certainly. Go to the overseer and tell him you want Jake and Cuff. They will give you all the help you need. If it was not for what you have just told me about David’s misfortune, I would go with you myself.”
Don thanked his father, and hurried from the room. The two negroes were at work in the field, and the field was half a mile from the house. That was too far to walk, especially for one who was in such a hurry as Don was, so he jumped on his pony, without saddle or bridle, and set off in a gallop. The negroes grinned all over with delight when the overseer told them what Don wanted of them, and, shouldering their axes, started at once for the house, while Don galloped on ahead. Having delivered his pony into the hands of the hostler, he ran into the house, seized a lunch which one of his sisters quickly put up for him, and he and Bert sat in the boat and ate it, while waiting for Jake and Cuff. Bert breathed easier when he learned that David had rights after all, and that the law was plenty strong enough to give them to him. Their first care, he said, must be to tell David the good news; but when the negroes had rowed them up to the cabin, they found no one there. The premises were entirely deserted.