or the Marlin, which he
had, of course, taken ashore with him; while George also looked hastily
around to see where he had laid his rifle.

"Where did you see it?" demanded Jack, gaining his feet.

"It's right inside that big live oak yonder!" cried Nick, pointing a
trembling finger as he spoke. "It must be hollow, because I saw the
beast poke his old head out. He ducked back again like fun when he saw
me looking. A bear, fellows! Just think how many steaks he'd give us,
if we bagged him!"

CHAPTER XVI.

ERASTUS, THE HOUSEBURNER.

"Hold on, George," said Jack, as he saw the impetuous one start toward
the big tree that had such a profusion of low branches that it was hard
to see distinctly under its canopy. "Go slow now. A bear may turn out
to be a dangerous article if you only wound him."

"But we ought to get him!" declared the other, handling his repeating
rifle eagerly.

"That's right," cried Nick, from the rear, where he had picked up a
billet of wood and was making several vigorous passes through the air,
as if getting his muscles in trim for the combat. "It would be a shame
to lose the opportunity for unlimited bear steaks. I've always wanted
to taste one; and you know we may not get another such chance. Why, he
just wants to get in our frying pan; that's why he's come so close to
our fire, fellows."

"Keep still," ordered Jack; and when he spoke in that way Nick knew
better than to disobey.

The fact of the matter was, Jack had a strong suspicion that while the
fat boy may have seen _something_ at the time he did, it could hardly
have been a bear. He did not believe such a wary animal would have
remained so long close to where a bunch of noisy boys had camped. And
if he had been sleeping in the hollow of that big live oak he must have
been scared away long since.

"Jimmie, throw a lot of fine stuff on the fire," said Jack. "We want
more light here. That's the ticket," as the flames shot up, and the
whole vicinity was illuminated. "Now, George, you keep close to me,
and we'll advance until we can see if there's anything doing."

Jimmie snatched up a burning brand from the fire, and waving this above
his head, he kept behind the two who had guns.

"That's a clever stunt, Jimmie," remarked Jack; and the others noticed
that his voice did not seem to tremble a single bit, so well did he
have his nerves under control right then.

"Guess it's all a fizzle," grunted George presently.