"
"And provided it will stand still and you can know the exact distance."
"I can tell that by my eye easily enough."
"You can't guess within two hundred yards of it, if your life depended
on it."
"That remains to be seen."
"The first time you try it will prove it. I have seen them shoot with
the telescopes, globe, and peep sights and all the new fangled notions,
and they're good only for fancy shooting. You've got to use that
breech-loader off-hand, just as I do, or it won't be worth a cent to
you."
"I understand that a big black bear has been seen in the woods," said
Herbert, in his loftiest style; "I've come to kill him."
Nick and Sam looked significantly at each other, and Nick said:
"That is what we are after; won't you join us?"
Instead of responding promptly, Herbert said:
"Well, I don't know as I have any objection to letting you go with me,
though you must promise to do as I say."
Without giving this pledge, the two said they would render all the help
they could, and the party moved on down the creek toward the pond.
"Have you a dog?" asked Nick of their new recruit.
"No, what do I want of a dog? He would only be a bother; you ought to
send back that pumpkin of yours."
"We don't expect him to be of much help, except to find the track of the
bear, if he is anywhere in the neighborhood--_there!_ do you hear that?"
At that moment Bowser, who had trotted into the woods ahead, gave
utterance to a hoarse, resounding bay, which sounded as though his voice
had also changed, for it ended in a dismal squeaking howl that made all
laugh.
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