"He is badly hurt, but I hope he isn't going to die. Poor fellow! we
have been unjust to him; he's a good deal braver dog than we gave him
credit for."
They were still patting and soothing the wounded hound, when the report
of Herbert's rifle was heard again. Sam and Nick started up and stared
in the direction whence the sound came.
"He has got the bear--"
Just then the voice of Herbert was heard ringing through the forest
arches:
"Quick! quick! help! help! the bear has got me! Hurry up, boys, or I'm a
goner!"
The lads dashed forward, excited and fearful they would be too late.
The voice of the imperiled hunter rang out again.
"Quick! quick! the bear has got me sure! Hurry boys, hurry, for pity's
sake!"
The next instant Sam and Nick came upon an extraordinary scene.
CHAPTER XXX.
A FRIEND IN NEED.
Herbert Watrous had been set upon by a huge bear, and, throwing aside
his Creedmoor, had run with might and main for a large stump, behind
which he took refuge. Had he climbed a sapling, he would have been safe,
but he was too flustered to think of that.
Dodging behind this shelter he squatted down, hoping that his enemy did
not notice where he had gone; but, when he heard the brute lumbering
after him, he hastily shifted his quarters to the other side of the
stump. While doing so, he emitted the ringing cries for help which
brought his friends in such haste to his rescue.
The situation would have been laughable but for its element of peril.
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