It was almost between the girl and the campfire.
"Oh, pshaw! It's a big dog," she said aloud. She did not stop to consider
that it would be rather unusual to find a dog prowling about their camp so
far from all human habitation. Her words, however, appeared to have a most
startling effect on the "dog." The animal suddenly gathered itself into a
ball and leaped swiftly away, halting not more than twenty feet from where
Harriet Burrell lay. Then she saw that which sent a fresh thrill through
her.
The animal was now standing squarely between herself and the campfire,
giving the girl a clear outline view of it. She saw with wide-open eyes
that it was not a dog.
"A bear!" she gasped.
Harriet uttered a shrill scream that was heard all over the camp. It was
not exactly a cry of fear. Rather was it intended to arouse the camp. The
scream served the purpose. It aroused the camp. Likewise did it arouse Mr.
Bruin. The bear started away at first at a swift amble which had increased
to a gallop by the time Harriet had drawn on her slippers and leaped from
the cot.
Without thought of fear the girl ran stumbling along after the galloping
beast. Guardians and girls were rushing from the tents on all sides,
crying out to know what had happened. They saw Harriet running, before
they caught sight of the strange beast that was making such strenuous
efforts to get away.
Pages:
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204