Part 16 (1/2)

”With my lamps blindfolded,” Steve ventured.

”Then come on with me. We ought to have bear steak for supper to-night,”

and holding on to the eager and straining Ajax, while Owen looked after Don, the trapper led the pursuit.

Everywhere could be seen the plain marks where the weighty clog had plowed into the ground when the trapped bear pulled it along after him.

As the trapper had said, the merest tyro could easily have followed such a broad, blood-marked trail.

Sooner or later they must expect to come upon the bear unless he had been able, through good luck, to reach his den ere now.

The excitement on the part of the two dogs grew more intense.

”We must be crawling upon him, I should think,” Max remarked.

”Just what we're doing,” the trapper replied, ”and, unless I miss my guess, we'll find him caught fast in this thicket just ahead. Slow up, boys. There's no need of hurrying any more, for I think he's waiting up for us right here.”

With their hearts beating like trip hammers the boys now approached the thicket into which the plain trail of the heavy clog seemed to plunge.

CHAPTER XI

”STEADY, STEVE, STEADY!”

”Listen!” said Trapper Jim.

All of them became silent. Even the dogs, as if recognizing some vein of authority in that one word spoken by their master, ceased barking, though still straining hard in the leash, as though fairly wild to break away.

There was a crackling of the bushes, and this grew louder.

”Oh, I see him!” cried Bandy-legs.

”Get ready to shoot, everybody, if I give this word; but don't pull trigger unless you hear me yell you to,” called out the trapper.

Then there was a savage roar that seemed to make the very air quiver. Out of the thicket scrambled a big black bear, looking furious indeed.

Thinking they were about to be attacked, and in a panic at the very idea, some of the boys leveled their guns. They might have pulled trigger, too, in their excitement, only for the quick warning the old wood's ranger gave.

”Hold your fire, everybody. It's all off. No danger as long as that clog remains fast!” was what he shouted.

Max could readily grasp the situation. He saw that the angry beast could only come just so far, because something was holding one of his hind legs.

”The clog's got fast among the rocks in there, and he's held as tight as can be; that's what's the matter,” Steve sang out.

Of course the only thing left to do now was for some one to put a bullet where it would be apt to do the most good.

Who would be appointed to carry out this part of the programme?

Steve hoped Trapper Jim would look favorably upon him when seeking a candidate. He had never shot a bear in all his life, and while there would be little glory attached to the pa.s.sing of one that was held fast in a trap, still it would be something to think of later on.