the trigger.

The click reached the ears of the animal outside, and once again it let
out that peculiar sound, neither grunt nor growl.

Then Jerry put the gun to his shoulder, and, taking aim at one of the
shining eyes, fired.

Bang!

The report of the firearm caused Harry and Blumpo to spring up in wild
alarm.

"What's the matter?"

"Heaben sabe us!" moaned Blumpo.

"A wild animal outside," cried Jerry. "Get your gun, quick!"

Harry leaped for his weapon.

"What is it?"

"I can't make out."

Reloading as rapidly as he could, our hero dashed into the open. A howl of
pain told he had hit his mark. The beast had turned and was crashing
through the brush close to the rocks.

"Let us find out what it was!" cried Harry.

"Doan go!" moaned Blumpo. "You will git chewed up!"

And then he dove back into the tent for his "hoss" pistol and his rusty
spear.

Catching up a blazing brand, Jerry threw it into the brush. By the light
they saw the creature crouching on a rock.

Bang! bang!

The two guns spoke simultaneously. Harry hit the beast in the shoulder.
Jerry's shot was more effective for it struck in the neck, and with a
snarl the creature leaped into the air and fell--dead.

"You've settled him!" cried Harry. "Come on and inspect him."

"Wait and load your gun first," cautioned our hero. "He may have some
fight in him still."

The weapons were put in order, and then, with firebrands to light the way,
they moved forward to inspect their victim.

It was a large and heavy boar.

"A wild hog!" shouted Jerry. "My, what a big fellow he is!"

"I thought it was a bear," said Harry. He was somewhat disappointed.

"He was savage enough, at all events," replied Jerry. "These wild hogs put
up a terrible fight, father says."

"Oh, I know that. Wasn't Dick Harben's uncle killed by one? Well, he's
dead enough and we have meat to last a month."

"Pretty strong eating," smiled Jerry.

They called Blumpo. The homeless youth was delighted over the dead
animal.

"'Ham's de best ob meat,'" he sang. "I'll soon fix him up, see if I
don't."

The boys were glad that it was getting toward morning, for the excitement
had taken all the sleep out of them. They replenished the fire, and sat
around waiting for daybreak.

As soon as the sun rose, Blumpo prepared breakfast, while Jerry and Harry
took a plunge into the lake. It was great sport, and they remained in the
water until Blumpo called them.

That day the b