A scratching and grunting noise attracted his attention to the tree where they had hung up the flour and bacon. It seemed he could hear the shuffle of heavy feet and the wheeze of giant lungs as he listened intently.
“I won’t call Dick and Toma,” thought Sandy. “It may be only my imagination. I’ll go see what it is.”
Heart beating wildly, Sandy commenced to creep toward the point he had heard the noises. He could see nothing in the dark, yet as he strained his eyes it seemed to him that one portion of the blackness was blacker than the rest.
Suddenly, he heard the crashing of a splintered tree bough. A low, vibrating growl followed, and Sandy dropped upon his stomach. There came a slapping, thumping sound, then an angry growling and tussling. The dark blot lurched downward. Sandy raised his rifle and blazed away at the shape. A rambling roar rose in the night.
“Dick! Toma!” cried Sandy, as he turned about and fled, hearing behind him the rush of a heavy body pursuing him.
CHAPTER VI
A GRIZZLY SHOWS FIGHT
Toma and Dick were already on their feet when Sandy rushed toward them out of the gloom.
“It’s a bear, a giant bear!” cried Sandy. “Run! I’ve wounded him!”
The angry roar behind Sandy was all that was needed for Dick and Toma to take to their heels with alacrity.
“Get up tree, get up tree!” Toma called to them.