No answer came back from Hippy, who was stalking the mysterious something that had stampeded the ponies.
“What is it?” cried the Overlanders in one voice, as Stacy rode back to them wide-eyed.
“I don’t know. It was something big and awful. I couldn’t see all of it, but it looked to me like an elephant. Maybe it was a Bengal tiger, but I didn’t wait to see. If I had waited, the ponies would have run right over me. When I saw them coming I threw on the high-speed lever and lit out for home. I transmigrated. Where is my rifle? I am going back after that beast, whatever it may be and—”
“There goes Hippy across that open space,” cried Grace, pointing.
“Yes, and he is after something,” added Tom.
“Look! Oh, look!” cried Emma.
All eyes were turned in the direction indicated by Grace. They saw a dark object moving across the open space towards Hippy, then saw the lieutenant raise his rifle and fire. Still the object came on.
“It’s a bear! Hippy’s missed!” groaned Tom.
“I’ll wager my hat that Uncle Hippy didn’t miss,” answered Stacy. “He never misses—when he hits.”
Hippy raised his rifle and fired again.