A delicious, tantalizing savor rose from the oak skillets, and promised to justify all that Walter had claimed for his cooking.
“Hurry up, Belle!” called Cora. “Walter’s nearly finished now, and we’re all ravenous.”
“I’ll be with you in a minute,” sang out Belle, “but there’s one big bush here that’s just dying to be picked.”
She moved toward it, but stopped in fright as she heard a grunt and snort on the other side of the bush.
The next instant she found herself looking into the eyes of a big black bear!
CHAPTER XX
THE GREEDY MARAUDER
For a moment Belle stood paralyzed with fright.
The bear gazed at her unwinkingly, and his hair began to rise slowly on his head as he gave vent to a savage growl.
Then Belle screamed wildly, dropped her basket, which was half full of berries, and ran towards the other members of the party, who had risen and rushed to meet her.
“What is it?” they cried in chorus.