s come with his wife and children. We'll
give 'em a belly full. Stay here, Fabens, and I'll sly away, and start
up the company. Hear that! and that!--they're snorters! Slink down
into the stump; and if our comin' scares 'em, jump out and keep track a
little. Don't be scart. We'll be along in a jiffy, and nab the
varmints."

Colwell crept away, and exchanged a word with Wilson, and then stole
off to rally the company. But Fabens began to shudder in his
sentry-box. He had grown to be quite a backwoodsman; he had taken the
strength and courage of the wild forest life; he was usually calm and
self-possessed; but here was a new venture entirely, and while beat,
beat, went his heart in rising alarm, the loud and louder rattle of the
corn informed him of the closer coming of the animals. Now he hears
them tear off an ear! Now they craunch it, and crowd snuffling along
through the corn-hills! Now they cough, and his wildest fears are up;
and now they breathe in hearing, and move as if for the place of his
concealment, strip down a stalk, and rend off an ear, as he thinks,
where Colwell just lay!

What shall he do? If he stirs, they may grasp him. If he remains,
they will surely scent him out, and take him. O, terrible moment!
Where in the world are the company, that they do not run to his relief?
His hair stands on end, lifting his hat so high, the bears _must_ see
him now!--Shall he rise and shoot? He would be likely to miss, he is
so awkward with a gun. Why did he consent to lie there? Why don't
they come, as they said they would?--There! there! a step nearer, and
the grate of their teeth sets him shivering! Now, now he must
die!--Must he not? or what other sound is that more distant?
Footsteps--a whisper, and--they come, they come! and away jump the
bears, and away with dogs, axes, guns, and torches after them go the
men of the hunt!

"Now, Fabens, up and away; the fun's afoot, the fun's afoot!" cried
Colwell.

"Yes; but _such_ fun!" faltered Fabens.

"Come on, come on! Mr. Bruin and his cubs shall have a good visit at
their home!" cried Wilson.

"Nothing could be more in the nick of time!" cried Uncle Walter.

"We git 'em now!" said the Indians.

"Seek 'em, Bose! seek 'em, Spanker! seek 'em Nig! seek 'em, Watch!"
shouted Flaxman; and with flaring lights, and clatter, and howl, and
laugh, and halloo, away they pursued the bounding game. Now they take
the woods. Now the bears rush down the hill