What a queer race it was! They did not run on the ground as boys do now, but swung from limb to limb through the trees. Fisher was very strong and quick, and he dodged and climbed so nimbly that Bolo was soon left some distance behind.
At last they came to the edge of the woods. There were no more trees very close, and Bolo thought Fisher would have to turn back.
“I will get you now,” shouted Bolo.
But Fisher slipped down to the end of a long, slender limb and hung with his hands. He swung back and forth farther and farther at each swing. Before Bolo could reach him he had flung himself far out toward a tree that stood by itself several yards from the edge of the woods, and with a daring leap, had landed among its branches.
Bolo laughed and started to slide down the limb too. He thought he could leap as far as Fisher could. Then he glanced down to the ground and began to climb back up the tree as fast as he could go.
“The cave bear! the cave bear!” he shouted.
Fisher glanced down, too, and his face had a look of great fear on it as he realized the danger he had been in.
There on the ground below them was an immense black bear, growling and reaching up the trunk of the tree as far as she could.
Bolo was badly frightened. He did not think any more about the race. He clambered back among the trees as fast as he could.
But Fisher did not dare to leap back the way he had come. He thought he would stay where he was. He knew if he should fall the bear would very quickly tear him to pieces.