Crack! It was the rifle that rang out. But just as Joel Runnell pulled upon the trigger the bear turned to one side, so that the ball merely grazed its neck and side. Then came another roar, and, leaping over the wrecked table, the beast dove through the doorway leading to the sleeping apartment of the lodge and disappeared. “Where did he go to?” cried old Runnell, as he lost no time in reloading. “Into the sleeping-room. I don’t think he is hurt very much.” The doorway was not far from the chimney, and with the firebrands still in his hands, Joe made his way to the door. Then the fastening was removed and he plunged outside. “Good!” cried Harry. “Are you hurt?” “Not a scratch. But it was a close shave,” and Joe heaved a sigh of relief. “What is the bear doing?” asked Fred. “I don’t know.” “Fasten the door from the outside,” said Joel Runnell. “We don’t want to lose that animal.” A stout stick of wood was handy, and this was propped up against the door, so that it could not be budged unless torn from its hinges. While the young hunters were doing this Joel Runnell watched the window, with his rifle ready for use, should the bear make its appearance. “You don’t expect to go in there after the bear, do you?” questioned Fred. “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars.” “I shan’t go in there yet,” answered the old hunter. “I know a trick worth two of that.” “What will you do?” asked Harry. “Let us try smoking him out. While I continue to watch the window, you get a damp tree branch and set it on fire. Then chop a small hole in the side of the lodge close to the ground, and let the smoke drift inside.” “That’s a good plan,” said Joe. The damp branch was procured without difficulty, and soon it was burning slightly and smoking thickly. While Fred and Joe held the branch, Harry cut a small hole as directed. In answer to the sound of the ax came a growl from the bear, proving that the beast was on the alert within. “Now, Joe, come alongside of me with your shotgun!” called out old Runnell. “We’ll make sure of him if he does come out.” Both stood almost facing the window and about twenty feet from it. Then Fred and Harry let down the branch in the snow, so that the thick smoke could drift directly into the hole that had been cut. In less than half a minute they could hear the bear moving around the inside of the lodge. They heard the beast give a snort, followed by a sneeze. “He’s catching it,” whispered Joe, with his gun raised. “I don’t think he’ll stand it much longer.” An instant after there came a savage growl, and then straight through the window shot the black bear, landing at the very feet of those standing to receive it. Crack! went the rifle, and bang! came from the shotgun, and the beast tumbled over and began to claw at the air and the snow, sending the chunks of the latter flying in all directions.