“Look at his hind hands!” cried Genevieve.  “He has worn all the hair off his palms!”

I hurried from the tree and reached the ground before the bear.  Then taking the end of the chain, I advised the others to move out of the woods while I followed with the bear.  They all obeyed except Genevieve, who wanted very much to linger behind and help me lead him.  But this I would not permit.

The bear followed me with his usual docility until we had emerged from the woods.  Then he gave a little start, and fixed his eyes upon Percy, who stood at a short distance, his rifle in his hand.  I had not supposed that this bear was afraid of anything, but now I had reason to believe that he was afraid of guns, for the instant he saw the armed boy he made the little start I have mentioned, and followed it up by a great bolt which jerked the chain from my hand, and the next instant Orso was bounding away in great lopes, his chain rattling behind him.

Promptly Percy brought his rifle to his shoulder.  “Don’t you fire!” I shouted.  “Put down your gun and leave it here.  It frightens him!” And with that we were all off in hot pursuit.

“Cut him off from the woods!” shouted Mr. Walter, who was in advance.  “If he gets in the woods we’ll lose him sure!”

We followed this good advice, and at the top of our speed we endeavored to get between the beast and the trees.  To a certain extent we succeeded in our object, for some of us were fast runners, and Orso, perceiving that he might be cut off from a woody retreat, turned almost at right angles and made directly for the house.

“He’s after the three McKennas!” screamed Genevieve, as she turned to follow the bear, and from being somewhat in the rear she was now in advance of us, and dashed across the field at a most wonderful rate for a girl.

The rest of us soon passed her, but before we reached the house the bear disappeared behind some out-buildings.  Then we saw him again.  He dashed through the gate of a back yard.  He seemed to throw himself against the house.  He disappeared through a door-way.  There was a great crash as of crockery and tin.  There were screams.  There was rattling and banging, and then all was still.  When we reached the house we heard no sound.

CHAPTER XI

THE THREE McKENNAS

I was in advance, and as I entered the door-way through which the bear had disappeared, I found myself in the kitchen where I had seen the three women at their dinner.  Wild confusion had been brought about in a second.  A table had been over-turned, broken dishes and tin things were scattered on the floor, a wooden chair lay upon its back, and the room seemed deserted.  The rest of the party quickly rushed in behind me, and great were their exclamations at the scene of havoc.

“I hope nothing has happened to the McKenna sisters,” cried Mr. Larramie.  “They must have been in here!”