e
hole, then we were buried alive, next the ghost came along, and
then followed the wolves and the hornets."

"Yes, and we are not back to camp yet," sighed Giant. "I think
I'll rest for a week after this."

"We ought to send this bear down to town," said Whopper. "I'd like
to put it on exhibition, just to show Ham Spink and some other folks
what we can do."

"Well, we might send it down in some way," answered Snap. "But
come on, I am getting hungry, and we're a long way still from the
lake shore."

"We are coming to a cliff of some sort," announced Giant, who was
in advance. "Take it easy now, or the drag will drag you where you
don't want to go."

They advanced with caution, and presently saw the cliff. Below were
some thick cedar trees, the tops reaching just above the cliff.

"Listen!" cried Snap, and put up his hand for silence.

For a full minute they heard nothing, and the others were just going
to ask the leader what he had heard when there came a shrill laugh
from the cedars.

"Ha ha! I am dead! He is dead!" said a ghostly voice. "Who
will bury me? See the lights! I am dead! He is dead! Ha ha!"

"The ghost!" gasped Giant, and made a movement as if to retreat.

"Don't run," commanded Snap. "It is broad daylight. Let us investigate
this matter."

"I am dead! He is dead! Ha ha!" came the voice again, and then
followed a laugh that chilled them to the backbone. By this time
all of the young hunters had their firearms around in front of them,
ready for use.

"Well, if this isn't the queerest---" began Shep, when there was
a fluttering in the tops of the cedars and a big bird flew directly
over their heads. As quick as a wink, Snap took aim with his rifle
and let drive. The bird uttered a shrill cry, almost human, and
fluttered down at their feet. Then Shep struck at it with his gun
barrel, and it fell over lifeless.

"A parrot!"

"Yes, and he's the one who made the ghostly sounds!"

"Did you ever see the beat!"

"No wonder we couldn't locate that voice in the dark!"

Such were some of the comments of the young hunters as they gathered
around the dead parrot. Snap picked the creature up, made certain
it was dead, and opened its mouth.

"Yes, he was a talker right enough," he said.

"But I'd like to know who taught him to say such awful things
and nothing else?"

"Most likely the fellow who is playing ghost," answered Whopper.

"Yes, and that fellow must be close by,"