this was so terrorizing to the colored man that he dropped the
ax-handle and ran for his very life.

"Come back here!" cried Tom.

"Can't do it, boss; he's gwine ter chew me up!" howled the
hostler.

"Hold the door -- I'll hit him," put in Sam and he picked up the
ax-handle. Stepping forward, struck out heavily, and the bear
dropped in a completely dazed and more than half choked to death.

By this time the Italian was again at hand. In one pocket he
carried a thin but strong line, in a twinkle he had tied one fore
and one leg together, so that the bear, when he got again, could
do little but hobble along. Then another pocket he drew a
leather muzzle, which he buckled over the beast's head. But bear
had had all of the ugliness knocked out him and was once more as
docile as ever.

"Tom," whispered Dick. "I guess the best we can do is to get out
of this place. If folks discover the trick you played, they'll
mob you."

"I guess you're right. But who'll settle our bill?"

"I'll do that," said Sam. "They know I wasn't near the bear when
the rumpus started."

So it was agreed, and while Tom and Dick left hotel grounds Sam