Part 7 (1/2)
But this the Italian could not do, and when the bear headed for him he ran as hard as anybody present. Around and around the grounds fled the people, some rus.h.i.+ng for the hotel and the others to the stables and to a large summer house. The bear made first for one and then another, but at last halted in front of the stable, which now contained the Rover boys, two ladies and an elderly man, and two colored hostlers.
”Shut the doors!” cried d.i.c.k, but his words were unnecessary, for the colored men were already closing them. The bar had scarcely been dropped into place when the bear hurled himself with all force against the barrier.
”He is going to break in the door!” cried one of the ladies.
”Let us go upstairs,” said the elderly gentleman, and lost no time in leading the way.
There was a back door to close, and one of the negroes started for this. But just as he got close to the door he saw the bear coming, and, uttering a wild yell, he too made for the stairs.
Tom was close at hand, and it must be confessed that he felt thoroughly sorry over what he had done. ”I'm responsible for all of it,” he groaned. Then, as the bear stepped close to the back door, he got behind the barrier and tried to shove it shut.
The result was a surprise for both boy and bear, for as the beast made a leap the edge of the door caught him, and in a twinkle the animal was held fast by the neck between the door and its frame.
CHAPTER V
A NEVER-TO-BE-FORGOTTEN SWIM
”I've got him fast! Help! Help!”
”Tom's caught the bear!” shouted Sam. ”Can you hold him, Tom?”
”I guess I can if some of you will help me!” panted the youth.
”Hurry up!”
Sam and d.i.c.k were on the stairs, but now both ran to their brother's a.s.sistance, and all three pushed upon the door with all of their strength.
The barrier groaned and creaked and it looked as if at any instant it would burst from its hinges.
”Gracious, we can't hold him very long!” gasped Sam. ”Can't somebody hit the animal with a club?”
”I reckon I can do dat!” shouted one of the hostlers, and caught up an ax-handle which stood in one corner. As he approached the bear, the beast uttered a roar of commingled rage and fear, and this was so terrorizing to the colored man that he dropped the ax-handle and ran for his very life.
”Come back here!” cried Tom.
”Can't do it, boss; he's gwine ter chew me up!” howled the hostler.
”Hold the door--I'll hit him,” put in Sam and he picked up the ax-handle. Stepping forward, struck out heavily, and the bear dropped in a heap, completely dazed and more than half choked to death.
By this time the Italian was again at hand. In one pocket he carried a thin but strong line, in a twinkle he had tied one fore and one hind leg together, so that the bear, when he got up again, could do little but hobble along. Then from another pocket he drew a leather muzzle, which he buckled over the beast's head. But the bear had had all of the ugliness knocked out him and was once more as docile as ever.
”Tom,” whispered d.i.c.k. ”I guess the best we can do is to get out of this place. If folks discover the trick you played, they'll mob you.”
”I guess you're right. But who'll settle our bill?”
”I'll do that,” said Sam. ”They know I wasn't near the bear when the rumpus started.”
So it was agreed, and while Tom and d.i.c.k left the hotel grounds. Sam strolled into the office to pay their bill. It was some time before the clerk came to wait on him.