“Why did you kill that bird?” he asked. “I have a good mind to eat you alive.” And he gave another fierce growl.
The boys acted like frightened rabbits. They were too astonished to speak.
The bear picked up the bow and arrows.
“One, attention!” he commanded. “Two, get ready! Three, go!”
The boys took to the path which led toward their homes. But the bear called them back.
“You don’t understand,” he said. “Now, go the other way. To-night you must report to Father Thrift. Gr-r-r-r! And not another word.”
This last command must have been a bear joke, for the boys had not uttered a word.
Then away they all started—the boys as Shaggy’s prisoners—for the cave in the forest.