k.

Only a corner of the broad prairie passed, and then they turned again
into a woods. The sun was now up and it was growing warmer.

"I'll shoot a few birds if I can't find anything else," said Dick. "We
can't starve, and birds broiled over a fire will make a fair meal."

"But the noise?" began Nellie.

"I know; but, as I said, we can't starve, Nellie. We'll have to take the
risk. Here goes!"

Dick crept forward to where half a dozen birds sat on a nearby bush. The
birds were in a flutter over something, but Dick did not notice this.
Bringing two of the birds into range for a single shot, he blazed away
with his pistol.

The sharp crack of the firearm was still echoing through the woods when
there came a roar from behind the bushes the birds had occupied. Dick
had brought down his game and more, he had struck a bear in the
shoulder. In another moment the huge beast leaped into sight, and with
angry eyes and gleaming teeth bore straight for the astonished boy.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE SOLDIERS AGAIN.

Never was Dick Arbuckle more astonished than when the big bear leaped
out from behind the bushes and confronted himself and Nellie Winthrop.

"Oh, Dick! a bear!" screamed the girl, and stood still, too paralyzed
with fright to move.

As we know, Dick had just brought down several birds with his
pistol--indeed it was this very shot which had clipped the bear--and now
the weapon was empty and useless, having had but one chamber loaded.

But as the great beast came forward, Dick knew enough not to stand
still. He retreated in double-quick order, and forced Nellie to
accompany him. Away they went through the woods with the bear in close
pursuit.

At the start of the chase girl and boy were at least forty feet in
advance, but despite his bulk the bear made rapid progress, and slowly
but surely began to lessen the distance between himself and those he
sought to make his victims. Looking over his shoulder, Dick saw him
lumbering along, his mouth wide open and his blood-red tongue hanging
out as though ready to lick him in.

"I--I--can't run any more," gasped Nellie. Her heart was beating as
though ready to break. "Oh, Dick, what shall we do?"

"Here is a tree with low branches--jump for that--I will help you up!"
returned the youth, and in a few seconds they were in the tree, a scrub
oak, with the big bear underneath, eying them angrily, and speculating
upon how he could bring them down within reach of his