Page:Edward Ellis--Alden the Pony Express Rider.djvu/234

 was an American youngster crouching behind a boulder a few rods off and scared almost out of his wits.

The bear suddenly raised his head and dipped his snout forward in several directions one after the other, snuffing as if he knew something was in the wind. Back and forth the huge front swayed until in a minute or two it remained pointed directly at the boulder! It suggested an immense canine that had flushed its game.

“No use; he’s after me!” decided Alden, who now glanced about in quest of a tree which he might climb. Afraid even to peer around the edge of his hiding place, lest he should betray himself, he drew back, grasped his revolver and held his breath as he listened with all the intentness at his command.

For a few seconds he did not hear the slightest sound. His heart fluttered with renewed hope. The beast must be moving off. Probably he had caught sight of the pony and was making after him.

“He can’t know I’m here; all I have to do is to wait.”

Uneasy over the stillness, Alden slowly straightened up until he could once more look