270 Trails to Woods and Waters 



stood above sleeping hunters until they awoke 

 or moved, when they sprang upon them and 

 tore them to bits. 



My tongue grew parched and clove to the 

 roof of my mouth. My heart beat so hard 

 that I knew the bear must hear it, and a chill 

 like ice water stole down my back. 



Probably I lay like this for five seconds, 

 then a stratagem came to me which terror 

 helped me put into execution. 



Our camp was on a side hill and the en- 

 trance of the tent was below me. With a 

 sudden motion I rolled over and over towards 

 the tent door, and at the same time I gave a 

 yell that made the vocal attempts of the great 

 horned owl seem like whispers. 



Over and over I spun like a top until I 

 struck fairly upon the bunk, bringing Ben to 

 his feet as though steel springs had been 

 under him. 



" Land of Liberty, Harry, what is it, 

 night-horse?" That was what Ben called 

 nightmare. 



" A bear in camp, a bear," I gasped with 



