Part 4 (2/2)
”This way, Darry! This way, Benson!”
He saw his cousin and the guide bring their steeds to a halt and gaze around in wonder To them the voice appeared to come out of the very air itself
”It's Joe's voice!” exclaiazed around, and at last the scout caught sight of the boy's handkerchief fluttering a the tree branches
”There he is!” he exclai up there?”
”This way!” went on Joe, and as they turned in the direction, he added, ”Look out for the bear!”
”A bear!” came from Darry ”He must be treed!”
”I reckon you've struck it,”his rifle, at which Darry did the sauard,”
went on the old scout
He advanced with caution, his horse lifting his ears sharply as the neighborhood of the trees was gained Presently the aniht sight of the bear
”So that's where ye are!” muttered the old scout
The bear raised hirowl at the newcomers Hardly had the sound arose upon the air when Benson's rifle cracked, and a bullet hit the beast in the breast Doent the animal on all fours, but did not tumble further Instead, he made a swift bound for the scout's horse
Crack! It was now Darry's rifle that spoke up, and the bear was hit again, this tiht front knee He dropped, but quickly arose, shaking the wounded leg in the air and uttering a tree
[Illustration: ”NOW DARRY'S RIFLE SPOKE UP, AND THE BEAR WAs hit AGAIN”]
Neither horse would now stand still, and both danced around so lively that each rider had all he could do to keep his saddle But even while his steed pranced in this fashi+on, old Bensonout, both hitting the bear in the side The roars of the beast were now incessant, and the horses threatened to bolt in spite of all the riders could do to stop them
”Co he o off to reload, Darry followed But when at a safe distance Benson sprang to the ground and tied his horse to a tree
”I'd rather finish him afoot,” explained the old hunter, and slipped another cartridge into his rifle ”You can stay here if you wish”
”Not much!” mur the old scout When they ca around, roaring in a lower tone Evidently he was ood shot will finish hi out Joe, froive it to him in the ear?”
”I will,” answered the old scout, and circled around, watching his opportunity At length it came--the rifle cracked sharply, and Bruin fell on his side, to rise nohaul!” cried Darry, et a bear some time while ere out here”
”It's lucky the bear didn't get Joe,” reenerally come up a tree after their victim”
”I jumped from one tree to the other,” answered the youth ”But I had quite an exciting tiet here?” questioned Darry, as Joe leaped to the ground ”Did you get through to another cave? Benson thought that ht be the case”