It did not take the lads long to hurry over the intervening space, when
they came upon the hound, who was standing under a large red oak,
looking up and barking with all the vigor he possessed.

"He has treed the bear, I do believe!" exclaimed Sam Harper, breaking
ahead of the others in his excitement.

Nick Ribsam also thought the indications pointed that way.




CHAPTER XXIX.

"HELP! HELP!"


The belief that they were close upon the bear threw the boys into a
flutter of excitement, and they walked slowly as they approached the
tree, up which the hound was barking.

As has been stated, it was what was known as the red oak, very large,
with branching limbs at no great distance from the ground.

"_I see him!--I see him!_" whispered Herbert, just as he caught his foot
in a root and pitched forward.

"Where?"