"I thought it was eating my arm and leg off; but I don't feel it now."
"I thought you were a dead man when I saw you fall."
"The grapevines saved me."
The two boys all the while were saddling their horses and preparing for flight in case the animal followed them. They were suddenly startled by a noise in the opposite direction. It was Mr. Lane, who had finished his work and had come to join them in their sport.
"Halloo, youngsters! tired of the cave?" he asked. "Why, you look scared. What's the matter?"
"There's a bear in the cave," muttered Owen.
"Why, there isn't a bear in this here state, boy."
"Yes there is," stammered Martin. "He's as big as an ox. Both of us saw him."
Mr. Lane sat down and listened to the boys. Now that their giant friend was with them, Martin and Owen were no longer frightened. They succeeded in convincing Mr. Lane that there was really a bear or some other wild animal in the cave; although when Martin bared his leg where the monster had sunk his claws, he found only a light bruise.
The sheriff commanded the boys to follow him, determined that he would have its hide whatever the beast might be.