ve struck the truth," ejaculated Shep. "I don't
know of anything else that would bring this Barrock---if that's his
name---to this locality. He must be watching his chance to meet
Andrew Felps."

"Would Felps be mean enough to buy the papers from him?" asked
Whopper. "Why, that would be dishonest!"

"I think that man is mean enough for anything!" burst out Giant,
who was not inclined to forget how badly he and his chums had been
treated by the individual in question.

"If this is true, Snap, the best thing we can do is to go over to
the Felps camp and watch out for this Lusher Barrock," said Shep.

"And that is what I am going to do," answered Snap.

"When will you go?" questioned Whopper.

"As soon as possible."

"We can't get to the camp very well from here. We'll have to go
back to Firefly Lake first."

"Do you suppose this Barrock went that way?"

"Maybe he did, or else he knows of some trail over the mountain."

"Well, we can go back to the lake, and then start for Lake Cameron
without delay," said Snap, and so it was settled.

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE BOY HUNTERS AND A BEAR

The boys stopped to get dinner and then hurried back to the cabin
with all possible speed.

"This has been a long tramp for nothing," was Giant's comment,
as they trudged along.

"Oh, I don't think so!" answered Whopper. "I think we have learned
a good deal."

On the way back they could not resist the temptation to shoot
what game came in their way and thus brought down several rabbits,
a squirrel, four quail, and two wild ducks that chanced to show
themselves near the end of the lake.

As they neared the cabin they had to pass the bear trap that had
been set so many days. They heard a peculiar grunting.

"Listen!" cried Snap, coming to a halt. "What is that?"

"I am sure I don't know," said Shep. "Sounds like some beast
in pain."

"Maybe it is something in the trap!" cried Giant, and moved forward
on a run, before anybody could stop him.

As Giant drew in sight of the trap something caught his eyes that
brought him stock still in wonder.

There, fast in the trap, lay a small bear, and close at hand was
another bear, evidently trying to get the prisoner free!

"Look out there, Giant!" sang out Snap, as he, too, saw the situation.

"Two bears, by all that is lucky!" ejaculated Whopper.

At the sounds of the boys' voices the free bear turned swiftly.
Evidently he was in a rage, and for a good reason,