Close
behind him came on foot a young man, several years older than John,
dressed in a suit of green velvet, with a plumed cap. In his hand he
bore a long spear, and he was charging upon the bear with a cruel light
in his eyes. Suddenly Bruin made for a tree, and began to climb,
clutching the bark frantically with his claws. At sight of his prey
about to escape, the stranger gave a loud, fierce cry and dashed
forward, at the same time drawing from behind his shoulder a bow such
as men used in hunting. He fitted an arrow to the string, and was
about to shoot, when John sprang forward with blazing eyes.

"You shall not shoot!" he cried. "This is a peaceful wood. You shall
not kill my friend the bear."

[Illustration: You shall not kill my friend the bear.]

At this unexpected happening, the young man turned with a start and a
snarl, like a dog from whom one would take away his bone.

"Who are you?" he cried angrily. "How dare you interrupt my sport! Do
you know who I am?"

"I do not care who you are!" answered John. "You shall not hunt in
these woods, You must go away."

"Go away!"

The face of the stranger was white with rage. He turned from the tree
in which the bear had now found a place of safety behind a crotch, and
pointed his arrow at John. The lad saw his danger. Even as the
stranger drew the arrow to its head John leaped forward; before the
other knew what was happening, John seized him in his arms and with a
mighty effort wrenched away the weapon. It was wonderful how easily he
mastered this fellow, who was some inches taller than himself.

Beside himself with rage, the stranger grappled with John, and then
began a wrestling match strange to see. If the bear up in the tree
knew what it all meant, he must have been very much excited.

The two lads clinched, swayed, and finally fell to the ground, rolling
over and over. The stranger pummeled and kicked, scratched and bit.
John merely defended himself, holding his enemy firmly and trying to
keep him under. It was easy to see that he was the stronger of the
two. Presently the young man began to weaken, and at last John felt
the stranger's body grow limp in his clutch. He felt a thrill of
triumph such as the Hermit certainly had never taught him. But
suddenly, remembering the duty of a noble foe, he rose to his feet,
leaving the stranger lying where he was.

He was not badly hurt. Presently he also rose, sullenly, and pulled on
his c