In a few minutes Hughie breathed more freely, for his father seemed to lose his interest in Fido, and returned slowly to the house.
“Now,” said Hughie, “let's get down into the brule as near Fido as we can get.”
Cautiously the boys made their way through the fallen timber, keeping as much as possible under cover of the underbrush. But though they hunted about for some time, the dogs evidently got no scent, for they remained quite uninterested in the proceedings.
“We'll have to get up closer to where Fido is,” said Don, “and the sooner we get there the better.”
“I suppose so,” said Hughie. “I suppose I had better go. Fido will stop barking for me.” So, while Don lay hid with the dogs in the brule, Hughie stole nearer and nearer to Fido, who was still chasing down toward the brule and back to the house, as if urging some one to come forth and investigate the strange scent he had discovered. Gradually Hughie worked his way closer to Fido until within calling distance.
Just as he was about to whistle for the dog, the back door opened and forth came the minister again. By this time Fido had passed into the brule a little way, and could not be seen from the house. It was an anxious moment for Hughie. He made a sudden desperate resolve. He must secure Fido now, or else give up the chance of getting on the trail of the bear. So he left his place of hiding, and bending low, ran swiftly forward until Fido caught sight of him, and hearing his voice, came to him, barking loudly and making every demonstration of excitement and joy. He seized the dog by the collar and dragged him down, and after holding him quiet for a moment, hauled him back to Don.
“We'll have to take him with us,” he said. “I'll put this string on his collar, and he'll go all right.” And to this Don agreed, though very unwillingly, for he had no confidence in Fido's hunting ability.
“I tell you he's a great fighter,” said Hughie, “if we should ever get near that bear.”
“Oh, pshaw!” said Don, “he may fight dogs well enough, but when it comes to a bear, it's a different thing. Every dog is scared of a bear the first time he sees him.”
“Well, I bet you Fido won't run from anything,” said Hughie, confidently.