It felt so "comfy," Nick remarked, sitting there by the fire, that none of them seemed very anxious to go aboard and seek their beds. The sky was still clouded over, and the moon, now in its first quarter, hidden from view; which prospect of rain kept them from thinking of passing the night ashore, as they might have done had the heavens been clear. Finally, however, Nick himself began to yawn in a manner that told how heavy his eyes were getting in the heat of the fire. "I just hate to crawl in there, fellows," he grunted, as he slowly arose to his knees, for it was always an effort for the fat boy to get up, after sitting. "Makes me feel just like I'm in a coffin, to lie in such narrow quarters. Why, I tell you, the skin's clean off my hips and shoulders with rubbing against the sides of the boat. I'm going to be a physical wreck yet, that's what." "Well, if you get used to it now, you needn't worry when the time comes to leave this old world," was all the satisfaction George gave him. Jack lay there smiling, as he watched the fat boy heave, and finally plant one foot on the ground preparatory to getting up. He was never tired studying Nick, for he had an idea the other was not altogether so stupid as he seemed; but that he carried on at times just to tease George. And as Jack continued to watch, he saw Nick give a sudden start, while his hands shut in a nervous way. At the time he was apparently looking beyond the fire, and toward the neighboring woods; for they were camping in what seemed to be a lonely place, possibly miles from any human habitation. Apparently Nick had seen something, or he would not have given that start. Jack immediately sat up and took notice. "What's the matter, Buster?" as asked, quickly; and both the others, hearing what he said, also started up. The fat boy turned his head around. Signs of great excitement could be seen in the working of his facial muscles, as well as in his staring eyes. "Good gracious!" he exclaimed, "it's a bear, fellows, as sure as you live!" "What?" ejaculated Jack, as he made a dive for the Marlin, which he had, of course, taken ashore with him; while George also looked hastily around to see where he had laid his rifle. "Where did you see it?" demanded Jack, gaining his feet. "It's right inside that big live oak yonder!" cried Nick, pointing a trembling finger as he spoke. "It must be hollow, because I saw the beast poke his old head out. He ducked back again like fun when he saw me looking. A bear, fellows! Just think how many steaks he'd give us, if we bagged him!" CHAPTER XVI. ERASTUS, THE HOUSEBURNER. "Hold on, George," said Jack, as he saw the impetuous one start toward the big tree that had such a profusion of low branches that it was hard to see distinctly under its canopy. "Go slow now. A bear may turn out to be a dangerous article if you only wound him." "But we ought to get him!" declared the other, handling his repeating rifle eagerly.