ahead, and exhibiting as many marks of alarm as Pete. "It's nothing
but a stump!" said Sneak, going forwards and kicking the object, which
was truly nothing more than he took it to be. Joe then related to him
all the particulars of his nocturnal affair with the supposed stump,
previous to his arrival at the camp, and Sneak, with a hearty laugh,
admitted that both he and the pony were excusable for inspecting all
the stumps they might chance to come across in the dark in future.
They now emerged into the open space which was the boundary of the
woods, and after clambering up a steep ascent for some minutes, they
reached the summit of a tall range of bluffs. From this position the
sun could be seen rising over the eastern ridges, but the flat woods
that had been traversed still lay in darkness below, and silent as the
tomb, save the hooting of owls as they flapped to their hollow
habitations in the trees.

The party then dispersed to their coverts under the direction of
Sneak, who with a practised eye instantly perceived all the
advantageous posts for the men, and the places where the bear would
most probably run. Joe had insisted on having his revenge, and begged
to be stationed where he would be most likely to get a shot. He was
therefore permitted to remain at the head of the ravine they had just
ascended, through which a deer path ran, as the most favourable
position. After tying Pete some paces in the rear, he came forwards to
the verge of the valley and seated himself on a dry rock, where he
could see some distance down the path under the tall sumach bushes. He
then commenced cogitating how he would act, should Bruin have the
hardihood to face him in the daytime.

Boone and his party drew near the spot where the bear had been seen
the previous night. The two large hounds, Ringwood and Jowler, kept at