others by that time."

With renewed energy he continued his tramp along the brook, often wading
in the water when the brushwood on either side was extra thick. He kept
his eyes and ears on the alert, but no human being came into sight, and
presently a great feeling of loneliness swept over him.

"I'm alone," he whispered to himself. "Alone! I must say I don't like it
much," and he hurried on faster than ever.

The sun was shining over the distant mountain when he reached a bend in
the brook and came out upon a rocky trail which crossed the water-course
at a right angle. As he looked at the trail he was tempted to shout with
joy.

"The place we crossed yesterday morning!" he exclaimed. "There is the
very spot where we got a drink and watered the horses. Now I ought not
to have such a hard time finding the cave."

He got down and examined the trail closely, hoping to discover some
hoofmarks. But the heavy rain had washed everything clean. Nevertheless,
he felt certain that he was right, and hurried along as fast as his
tired limbs permitted.

Leaving the brook, the trail wound in and out along a series of rocks
and then through some heavy brushwood and along the edge of a jagged
cliff. The cliff was overgrown with heavy vines, which hung down and
brushed Joe's head as he passed.

"I can't be more than three or four miles from the cave," thought the
boy. "And if I hurry----"

He stopped short, and then gave a cry of terror, and with good reason.
He had seen the vines ahead suddenly part, and now there came to view
the shaggy head of a black bear. As soon as the beast caught sight of
the boy he leaped to the trail and advanced upon him.

CHAPTER V.

THE BIG BLACK BEAR.

Joe had never before met a black bear in the open air, but he had seen
several in menageries and studied them at a safe distance, and he
realized that he was in a perilous position. The bear looked both
untamed and fierce and as if nothing would suit him better than to hug
the lad to death and eat him up afterward.

Joe did not stand upon the order of his going, but went instantly,
running as fast as his tired limbs would permit. After him came the
bear, and it was astonishing what good time the beast could make
considering his size and his general appearance of clumsiness. Looking
over his shoulder, the lad soon saw that the beast was slowly but surely
lessening the distance between them.

"Shoo!" he yelled, and waved his arm thre