The Boy Chums in the Forest

agerly of his chum as the little party again advanced in the direction

what Chris described, but I can't fit the sounds to any ani

led frown, "but what under the

at hand." Charley's prophecy soon proved true for they suddenly came out of the forest into a space which had evidently been fire-

dge of the clearing, gazing in speechle

en foe. The hair of muzzle, head and paws was matted and plastered with some thick liquid, giving him a curious frowsy appearance. He was evidently

gone crazy," exclaimed Wal

ir direction. With a growl of fury he dropped to all

to take in the meanin

shouted, as the madd

. The shots struck home but the sorely wounded

d by the captain and Walter. They had run but a few paces before Walter, who was in the r

led, the three retraced their s

, with a grim smile. "The bear's too badly hurt

mination on his little ebony face while his heart was beating with pride and exultation. Here was his great chance to turn the tables on his white companions. No longer would they dare

from the edge of the clearing, but

wounded and liable to drop at any minute. Alre

le darky's undoing. A concentrated drop of buzzing liquid fire struck him above the eye, while hand and legs seemed splashed with molten fire. Down went the

in the mud, Chris,"' shout

o the ground. Charley looked after the flying Chris, shaking wit

n stepped forward toward the bear which was kic

eerfully, stopping short, "you're

Captain," laughed Charlie, as with his hunting-kn

ch-like bundles, taking care to place a dead dry leaf between each two green ones. Binding each bundle together with a wi

the green ones only smoldered, sending fo

he cautioned, "that's the way.

was soon apparent and the mystery that had puzzled them was solved when they reached the beast. The carcase was c

e vicious little insects, those not stupefied by the smoke beating a hasty r

ot over four hundred pounds, but fat and in the pink of condition. Its thick, glossy fur had protected its body from the bees

hunting-knives and speedil

thick rim of fat. "Gee, those are fit for a king," he exclaimed. "I

when I think of how he looked kneeling there in stern resolve to be co

in a hungry sigh. "I wish he was here to cook these steaks. If he comes

ime we get this fellow cut up a

or immediate use cut into thin strips for drying, and a

an, although I expect we'll make a sorry mess of it without

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 upo

gust. "It's tough as sole leather and about

e its presence known, for it stepped boldly out from behind its shelter. Its right eye was closed tight by an enorm

n delight the thre

"I knowed you chillen's would go an' spoil de best part ob my bear. Now you-al

ris, that we can't che

gro vaingloriously. "Just come back in forty minutes an' dinner will be r

the three withdrew to a little distance,

them. "While he's at it, let's have a try for so

nions gave an