"Wal, I'll fetch in some fresh venison," said the hunter. "You rest awhile,
an' then gather some wood an' make a fire."
The rest I certainly needed, for I was so tired I could scarcely untie the
pack to get out the blankets. The bear cub showed signs or weariness, which
pleased me. It was not long after Hiram's departure that I sank into a
doze.
When my eyes opened I knew I had been awakened by something, but I could
not tell what. I listened. Cubby was as quiet as a mouse, and his very
quiet and the alert way he held his ears gave me a vague alarm. He had
heard something. I thought of the old hunter's return, yet this did not
reassure me.
All at once the voices of men made me sit up with a violent start. Who
could they be? Had Hiram met a ranger? I began to shake a little, and was
about to creep to the door when I heard the clink of stirrups and soft thud
of hoofs. Then followed more voices, and last a loud volley of curses.
"Herky-Jerky!" I gasped, and looked about wildly.
I had no time to dash out of the door. I was caught in a trap, and I felt
cold and sick. Suddenly I caught sight of the ladder leading to the loft.
Like a monkey I ran up, and crawled as noiselessly as possible upon the
rickety flooring of dry pine branches. Then I lay there quivering.
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