They went on.  For a long time they traveled in silence, the little dog trotting and frisking at their heels.  From time to time they stopped to rest.  Their packs were growing heavy and neither felt like talking.  They settled to their tasks and plodded on.  When they came to the fire trail, they turned to their right and went straight over the first mountain.  The way was smooth enough, but the grade was very steep and it tested their endurance to the utmost.  Every few minutes they were compelled to rest.  Finally they topped the ridge and went down into the next valley.

The bottom here was very wide, for the mountains had drawn far apart.  Apparently the valley soil was rich.  It seemed to be deep and black, and the trees grew to massive size.  Ordinarily the two boys would have taken keen enjoyment in the sight of such fine timber, but by this time they were too tired to care much about anything except reaching their destination.

At the foot of the last ridge they took a long rest.  They were just starting on when Lew heard a peculiar little sound behind some bushes just off the fire trail.  Curious to know what might have made the sound, he dropped his pack and went to investigate.  Behind the bush he found a cunning, little black animal that did not seem to be at all afraid of him.  He picked it up and rejoined his comrade.

“Charley,” he said.  “See what I have found.  What is it?”

“It’s a bear cub,” said Charley.  “You had better leave it alone.  If its mother came along, she might make it hot for us.”

“I’m going to keep it for a pet,” said Lew.  “I knew a fellow who had a pet bear cub once and——­”

Lew never finished the sentence.  A savage growl sounded close at hand and a great black animal came rushing through the bushes.  Lew dropped the cub and took to his heels.  The bear followed in hot pursuit.  She was a great, clumsy, lumbering beast, and yet she got over the ground with astonishing speed.  Lew ran as fast as he could, but the bear gained on him at every stride.

“Climb a tree, Lew,” cried Charley, slipping off his pack and starting to his chum’s assistance.  “Be quick about it.”

Lew headed for the first tree he saw that was small enough to climb.  It was a little pole, a foot in diameter.  The lowest branch was seven or eight feet above the ground.  Lew raced toward it, gathered himself for a leap and sprang upward.  He caught the limb and swung himself up with all possible speed.  He was not a second too soon.  As Lew’s body shot upward, the bear rose on her hind feet, and the vicious swipe of her paw barely missed Lew’s body.  Lew drew himself erect and climbed upward a few feet, where he paused to look down at the bear.

Meantime, Charley was following the animal.  He hadn’t the slightest idea of what he should do.  The law protected the bear at that season of the year and he did not know whether he would be justified in shooting her under the circumstances or not.  And anyway, his rifle was back with his pack.  He had his little axe on his hip, however, and he drew it from its sheath so that he would have it ready in case he had to use it.