The report of two guns echoed from the woods about, while the moose with a sudden bound or two, disappeared among the trees. They could hear the great creature crashing through the woods, and they hurried on in pursuit. After going about a mile they lost track of him, and they gave it up as neither had detected any token that the animal was hurt.
The chase had led them near a trail that passed the McPheter's camp; and they jokingly turned that way to see if anything had happened there.
"If that doughnut isn't gone, I'm going to eat it," murmured Will. "I'm awful hungry."
"I doubt that the birds and squirrels have left any till this time," said Dick.
"A large bird, or a gray squirrel would get caught, if they touched it, wouldn't they?" questioned Will hopefully.
"Perhaps—if the old trap wasn't so rusty—but hush—there's the camp. Supposing we keep behind it and go in until we see if there's anything in the trap."
They opened the door softly, and moved lightly in and toward the window. The first glance gave them a start. There was a big bear sitting bolt upright, with his forepaws hanging, right before the window. He had evidently heard the sound of their approach, and was looking around for them. Dick gave one long, but weary look. Then he shouted:
"All right, Will. He's caught! The doughnut did it!"
For a moment the boys stood looking out of the window, and the bear sat looking in. It was too much for Bruin—that gaze of exultant victory. He struggled a moment with the trap, then, with one vigorous leap, he cleared himself and went head and shoulders into that window.
Dick sprang for a hole in the low roof, and Will dashed out of the door. He had just time to shut it behind him before the bear came bumping against it.