How brave they all were then, and how they laughed at each other’s cowardice, declaring that they had only feared it might not be a bear after all! But they patted Tip’s head, and spoke to him kindly, as if he had relieved them from some terrible peril, instead of only disturbing a cow.
After the first excitement attending the finding of the cow had subsided, the question arose as to the proper course to pursue, and it was decided that the bear-hunt must be continued, as it would not be at all the right thing to delay another day in nailing a skin to Bobby Tucker’s father’s barn.
This time the march was not made with so much caution, and Tip was allowed to roam about loose, in the hope that he might find the bear’s trail more quickly. Bobby even proposed to shoot a squirrel; but this plan was quickly frowned down by Bill Thompson, who reminded him that he had no more powder, and that the bear might come upon them at the very moment when the gun was empty.
Tip ran on, joyous at having recovered his freedom, and in a short time was out of sight. Then the boys ceased even to keep a lookout for large animals, growing so careless as to watch the squirrels, hunt for birds’ nests, and act in every way unbecoming bear hunters.
But suddenly they were roused into activity and excitement by furious, angry barking some distance away.
“He’s caught one this time!” shouted Bill, as he drew his knife from his belt and started forward rapidly, followed closely or afar off by the remainder of the party, according to their degree of courage.
When the scene of the conflict was reached, and it was positive that a fight was in progress, because Tip’s barking had changed to short, angry yelps, the greater portion of the party found that they were too tired to run any farther, and fell into such a slow pace that they could not arrive until the battle was over.
“I can see them!” shouted Bill, exultantly; “an’ it ain’t a very big bear—only a small one. Come on quick!”
As the leaders of the party dashed into a small cleared space they saw Tip actually fighting, and this time it was no cow, but a small, dark-colored animal, which, if it really was a bear, must have been a very young one.
Bill was not afraid of so small an animal, and he jumped forward with his knife; but Tim cried: