With Bert, to think was to act. He grasped the branch tightly and swung
himself down at full length, so that his dangling feet were almost within
the bear's reach. The grizzly, with an exultant "whuff," galloped
clumsily back to the tree and made a ferocious swipe at his enemy, who
pulled himself up just in time. Snarling and mouthing horribly, the bear
once more moved toward the lake, torn between the desire to investigate
and the fear that his victim might escape. Once more Bert worked the same
maneuver and again the bear "fell" for it.

But the crisis was past. There was no need now to repeat. Tom had reached
the canoe, climbed into it, and with powerful strokes of the paddle sent
it flying toward the mainland. Not, however, till his heart had been
thrilled with joy by Bert's yell that rang far out on the water.

"I'm up a tree, old man," called the voice that Tom had feared he might
never hear again, "but I'm all right."

"Thank God," answered Tom, and tried to add something else, but couldn't.

Once more on shore he jubilantly reported to Dick, whose delight at the
news of Bert's present safety passed all bounds.

The first rejoicing over, they hastily laid their plans.

"Are the guns ready?" asked Tom as he got into his clothes.

"They're all right," answered Dick. "To make sure, I unloaded and filled
them up with new cartridges. Everything's in perfect shape."

They did not underestimate the task before them. They were taking their