The Professor with one startled glance, hurled his precious book at
the object he saw entering the tent at the back, and bolted through
the front opening, taking the end tent pole down with him in his
hasty flight.



CHAPTER V

THE PURSUIT OF THE BURNING BEAR

What is it?" cried Walter breathlessly, slowing up when he observed
that the others were doing likewise. "It's a bear, I think," replied
the Professor. "I only saw the head so I can't be sure. Keep
away. Where is Stacy?"

"I--I think he's running, still," answered Ned, his voice somewhat
shaky.

"There goes the other tent pole down!" shouted Tad.

"He's wrecking the place. That's too bad," groaned Walter.

"Are the provisions all in there?" asked the Professor anxiously.

"No, most of them are over in my tent, where I took them from the
pack pony," Ned informed him.

"We are that much ahead anyway. I think we had better get a little
further away, young gentlemen. We had better get near trees so we