Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/147

 on a hurdle track. But at last exhausted nature rebelled, and with a low moan of despair he fell over to the ground, face downward.

Then he believed it was all over as the bushes crackled behind him. He turned his head and to his great joy beheld Abner.

“O Mr. Whitten, look out!” he gasped. “It was chasing me. It’s upon us.”

“If I had a good ash stick I’d larrup ye so’s ye ’d remember it to yer dying day,” cried Abner, his voice choking with anger. “Of all the trying simpletons I ever met ye are the worst. Git up and see if ye can drag yerself back to the camp.”

Painfully Stanley struggled to his feet, casting a frightened glance over his shoulder. The cruiser’s stormy reproach sounded very sweet in his ears. He was saved.

“Where is it?” he whispered, keeping close to Abner’s side.

“It’s toting its cubs back to the den,” gruffly replied Abner.

“What was it, a bear?”

“It was a bear,” exploded Abner. “Now what did ye mean by snooping around her den and stealing her newborn cubs?”

“Were they her cubs?” asked Stanley. “I