Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-08

they would smell us out, replied Jack. "The
fish are done. Bring on the coffee.pot, Dumpy'
Supper is ready now, gentlemen.
The supper was eaten with hearty relish,
and they didn't fry fish too many.
There were no dishes to wash, to speak OF,
and the boys were soon stretched out before
the fire. a little tired after their days work,
but fully enjoying the novelty and the pros
pect of the weeks pleasure before them.
The Western Visitor, at their earnest re-
quest related a panther story in which he
took an active part, and followed with an
exciting bear story, and somehow, hearing it
told in the deep gloom and solitude OF the
woods, made it seem very real.
The conversation grew less animated after
this, and when Dumpy suggested that they
might as well turn in and take it easy" no
one objected, and it might have been noticed
that the Western Visitor took the farther side
of the tent for his sleeping-pace.
They didn't talk much after settling them
selves down for the night only now and then
an occasional question and answer, and soon
they were fast asleep.
| Jack woke with start, at first bewilder-
| ed, and then, remembering where he was,
listened apprehensively But what was that?
What had wakened him so suddenly?
He certainly heard something. He strain
ed his ears to listen, but nothing broke the
silence save the lap of the water on the shore
of the pond and the soft rustic of the leaves.
/
sounded little shaky.
eyes. Did you hear anything, Gidde"
Then crash, crash, crash, came the noise
again, followed by another interval of death
whats that? Are you awake, boys"
asked Dumpy, hurriedly raising himself on
one elbow.
"Giddie and I are awake; We heard some
ting Hark!" answered Jack. "Tbere it is
again!"
A rustling and swapping, like some heavy
animal trying to force its way through the
underbrush, was now plainly heard.
The boys listened with loudly beating hearts,
and literally holding their breath in their
! eagerness to hear.
All was quiet once more
What are you fellows sitting up for?" said
the Western Visitor, suddenly rolling over,
and finding he was the only one lying down.
"What's the row?'
Hush, There's something coming through
the woods" cautioned Jack, in a frightened
whisper. Its some animal, and it must be
a large one to make so much noise; and it's
evidently nearing the tent"
''Do you think it sounds like bear?" said
Gddie to the Western Visitor.
Yes, exactly. Let's make for the boat,
cut the rope, and push her off quick as we
can" he answered, promptly.
And one would have beer willing to affirm
that the Western Visitors teeth were chatter
ing
1t seemed good suggestion, though for in
less than minute the tent was empty and the
Western Visitor, in spite of his being in the
back of the tent, was the first to leap into the
boat
Jack cut the rope and pushed her off, and
pushed pumpy, in--for Dumpy always brought
up in the rear-and few vigorous, if not
graceful strokes sent them off shore.
I'VE are all right. now" said Jack. Lets
look hard and see if we can see anything"
Hadn't we better push off a little further?"
suggested the Western Visitor. "If it is a
bear, you know they can swim"
But we can out-row him." said Jack.
"Hlush, there it is again! Look quick there
by the old road! l can see something NOV
ing"
The moon was shining brightly, and the
alarmed campers strained their eyes in anxious
eaagerness to penetrate the shadowy darkness
of the adjacent forest
Yes, they could just discern a form NOV
ing along in the old road. 1t stopped, then
made its way down to the waters edge.
There was no mistaking what is was now
a bear, and big one, too
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