The man who stood before him was young, not much older than Ted himself, and very grave. He wore hunting clothes and hunting boots, but perhaps because they were new, they seemed somewhat ill-fitting. Strapped around his middle were two belts, one containing a knife with a blade at least a foot long and the other supporting two enormous 45 caliber revolvers. He was making every effort to appear nonchalant, but it was an effort so strained that the effect was a little ludicrous. His eyes brimmed with a lilting excitement and a vast anticipation. "Mr. Harkness?" "Yes." "I'm Alex Jackson." "Oh, yes." Ted extended his hand. "Glad to see you, Mr. Jackson." "As you can see," Alex Jackson indicated the two revolvers, "I'm ready for them." "Uh--are you going bear hunting with revolvers?" "Oh, no! Definitely not. I have my rifle, too. It's just that one must be prepared when the beasts charge." "Ah--What'd you say?" "I said--Oh, before I overlook it." Alex Jackson took out his wallet and counted out the thirty-five dollars still due on the camp rental. Ted tried to collect his spinning thoughts. Expecting a seasoned, experienced hunter, he'd met instead a youngster who talked seriously about black bears charging. Or hadn't Ted heard correctly? He slipped the money into his pocket and looked sidewise at his guest. "If you'll follow me, I'll take you to the camp." "Would you have a little time to talk?" "Of course." "May I bring the fellows in?" "Certainly." The man turned to beckon, and somebody shut off the car's idling motor and flicked off its lights. Five more hunters came into the house, and Ted was introduced as they came. None were older than Alex Jackson. Two, Alex's brother Paul and a youngster named Philip Tarbox, looked as though they should be behind their high-school desks, rather than in a hunting camp. Alex Jackson turned with a smile. "Now you know us. How do you like us?" "Fine," Ted murmured. "Uh--how much bear hunting have any of you done?" Alex Jackson's eyes were full of dreams. "None of us have ever hunted any big game, but I've read all about it." "You've never hunted?" "Not big game," Alex Jackson said modestly. "You see, I just came of age last month and thus was able to handle my own affairs. But I've always wanted to hunt big game, especially bears." "Do--do your folks know you're here?" "Paul and I haven't any, and I am now Paul's guardian. But the other fellows' parents do. Yes, of course, and they were glad to have them in my charge. I've been counsellor for three summers at Camp Monawami. You needn't worry about our ability to handle firearms. We've all hunted rabbits. But I would like to ask your advice." "Sure." Ted felt weak. "Philip, Steve, Arnold and Wilson are armed with nothing but shotguns. Do you think I should return to the town through which we just passed and buy them rifles and revolvers?" "Gosh no!"