They could hear the clatter of the tinware as he threshed about, and
the crash and bang of other articles belonging to their equipment.

"Look! What's that light?" exclaimed Walter.

"Fire!" cried the Professor.

"The tent's on fire!" shouted Tad.

"Quick, get water!" urged Ned.

"What for? To put out the bear?" laughed Tad.

"I had forgotten about the lantern. That's what has caused the
fire. When the tent collapsed the lantern went down with it, and in
his floundering about he has managed to set the place on fire," the
Professor informed them.

"There goes the parlor tent. That settles it," said Walter.

The other two boys groaned.

"Has he-ha-ha-has he gone?" wailed Chunky, peering from behind a
tree.

"No, he hasn't gone. He's very much here. Don't you see that tent!
What do you suppose is making it hump up in the middle, if he isn't
there? And the tent's on fire, too," answered Ned, in a tone of
disgust. "This is a bad start for sure."