eek!" Dick called back. "The trap's one-half a mile
farther on."

"'On we went, growing more and more excited every moment. Something
strange seemed to be in the air. I don't know what it was, but the
horses must have felt it, too, for just as we had cleared an
especially thick thicket, my Cyclone began to prick up his ears and
to sniff the air, and Dick's horse reared. Then, in a moment, the
others began to be restive. Even old Siwash, who is lame and halt and
maimed and blind like the parable people at the feast, actually
jumped, much to Vivian's horror.

"'I just wish you could have felt the shivers and thrills and quivers
that ran down our backs when Dick halted the procession and cried,

"'"There's a bear around all right! The horses smell him! We'll turn
back and tie, and then go on foot!"

"'Five minutes more and we were stumbling up the trail--Dick and
William ahead, Virginia and I next, and Mary and Vivian in the rear.
I don't know where my heart was, but I know it was unfastened, for I
distinctly felt it in a dozen different places! Vivian had actually
forgotten to be frightened, and Mary kept saying over and over again,
"Just think of it! Just think of it! A bear! Just think of it!" As
for Virginia, she strode along with her head high, just as she always
does, and looked as though she were able to cope with any grizzly on
earth.

"'We gained the clearing almost as soon as Dick and William,
and--now, listen, all of you!--there was our bear!!! I'll never
forget that moment! I don't believe I'll ever in my life experience
so many different feelings--triumph and pity and fear and admiration,
all struggling together. The poor thing lay in the hot sun by the
creek, rods from the little log house which had concealed the trap,
and one of his forelegs was securely held in that cruel, iron grip. A
long, strong chain attached to some logs held the trap secure, though
bark was torn in layers and strips from the trees near by, whose
trunks the poor, mad, suffering animal had climbed--trap, chain, and
all. But now--nearly worn out--he lay in the creek, sick at heart and
ready to die.

"'As Dick drew the big gun from the holster, and went nearer, the
bear rose to his feet and growled--a fierce, awful growl that sent
Vivian trembling to the thicket. All I could think of just then was
Roland keeping at bay the Saracens at Roncesvalles, or Leoni