have others in our outfit who are
similarly affected," he said sadly.

"So I have discovered," articulated Ainsworth. "I reckon we'll be
going."

"Certainly not," interjected Grace. "Don't mind Mr. Wingate. He too is
somewhat queer at times. You will stay here to-night, both of you. We
could not be so inhospitable as to permit you to start out at this hour
of the night. In the morning you will have breakfast and, if you wish,
an early start."

"Sure," agreed Tom. "We have a lean-to that is not occupied. You can
bunk in there."

"Thanks, but chain up that bear or I won't be responsible for what
happens. Think over my offer to-night," he urged, turning to Hippy.
"After you have slept over it you will see that it is to your best
interests to accept."

"Thanks," answered Hippy. "Good-night."

After the visitors and the Overland girls had turned in, and the
campfire was fixed for the night, Tom and Hippy had a confidential talk,
their visitor and his proposals being the subject of the discussion;
then they too sought their browse-beds.

Yells and a shot, punctuated by screeches from Joe Shafto, awakened all
hands in the gray of the early morning.

"Is it peace, or is it war again?" mumbled Anne, sitting up and rubbing
her eyes sleepily.

"It certainly does sound like war, but I think it is only the beginning
of it," answered Grace, hurriedly throwing on her clothes and running
out to see what the uproar was about. What she saw caused Grace and her
companions, who had followed her out, to utter gasps of amazement.

CHAPTER XXI

A WISE OLD OWL

"What's the trouble, Tom? Oh, stop them!" cried Grace.

"Let her finish it," answered Tom briefly.

"Sick 'em, Henry!" shouted Hippy Wingate, who saw the black bear humping
himself across the camp, not yet having discovered what the uproar was
about. "What's this? What's this?" he cried, suddenly comprehending.

Tobe Skinner, with streaming face which Joe Shafto had hit with a pot of
hot coffee, was sprinting for the timber, after having taken a shot at
the bear with his revolver. Following him came Chet Ainsworth puffing
and raging, with Henry on his hind legs in close pursuit, making
frequent swings with his powerful arms and soundly boxing the head of
the fleeing man, and Joe Shafto prodding the bear to urge him on to
further effort.

Neither Tom nor Hippy made a move to interfere, but Grace sped forward
and placed a firm hand on the forest woman's arm.