"I'll do it," whispered Tad.

Cautiously lighting another match he drew back his left foot and
administered a sound kick to the beast's side.

Thinking that the bear had moved under the blow, Tad whirled and ran
tittering a loud "Oh!"

He waited, but could hear no sound.

"I believe I am afraid of myself. That bear hasn't stirred at
all. I'm going back this time and make sure."

He did. But this time, steeling himself to the task, Tad stood still
after he had prodded the beast with his foot again. There was no
movement other than a slight tremor caused by the impact of the
kick.

"Hurrah, I've shot a bear!" cried the lad in the excess of his
excitement. "I wonder what the boys will say. The next question is
how am I going to get him back to camp?"

Tad pondered over this problem some moments.

"I know," he cried. "I'll hitch a rope to him and make Pink-eye tow
him out. But where is that pony?"

All at once the realization came to him that the pony had thrown him
off. That was the last he had seen of Pink-eye.