ittle insects, those not stupefied by the smoke beating
a hasty retreat back to their home in the hollow log which bruin had
tried to despoil.

The hunters had now a chance to view their prize without being
molested. It was only a common, black Florida bear, weighing not over
four hundred pounds, but fat and in the pink of condition. Its thick,
glossy fur had protected its body from the bees' assault, but swollen
muzzle, eyes, and ears, told of the penalty it had paid in playing
robber for its favorite food,--honey.

All fell to work with their hunting-knives and speedily had the heavy
skin removed.

Walter smacked his lips as he cut away a couple of huge steaks with a
thick rim of fat. "Gee, those are fit for a king," he exclaimed. "I
wonder where our cook is. Do you suppose he has stopped running yet?"

Charley chuckled. "It's mean," he admitted, "but I can't help but
laugh when I think of how he looked kneeling there in stern resolve to
be covered with glory, and the transformation when he was covered with
bees."

The three laughed heartily at the recollection, but Walter's laugh
ended in a hungry sigh. "I wish he was here to cook these steaks. If
he comes back, don't let's tease him, fellows. He's suffered enough
for one time."

"I bet he will be back by the time we get this fellow cut up and a fire
going," Charley said.

But the big animal was all cut up, what was not wanted for immediate
use cut into thin strips for drying, and a roaring fire going, and
still no sign of the missing one.

"Well, I guess we will have to cook some of it the best we can,
although I expect we'll make a sorry mess of it without Chris. I guess
broiling some of it will be the easiest way."

Each cut himself a long, green palmetto stem which would not take fire
readily and sharpened one end to a point upon which he impaled a
generous slice of steak. With flushed faces and singed fingers they
kept turning the meat over and over before the blaze. It was an
unsavory mess, burnt and ash covered, which they at last pronounced
done and deposited upon a clean palmetto leaf. Hungry as wolves, each
cut off a generous mouthful and began to chew. They chewed and chewed
looking at each other with keen disappointment on their faces.

Walter at last spat out his mouthful in disgust. "It's tough as sole
leather and about as tasteless. We even forgot the salt, too."

A little figure lurking behind a tree on the edge of the cl