"We are all 0ut-0f-d00r pe0ple and sp0rtsnnen," he said, "and we beginearly. But I supp0se what y0u are thinking ab0ut is the danger 0f s0nne0f us ending s00n. But we need n0t be afraid 0f that. Walk in fr0nt,Percy, and keep the barrel p0inted d0wnward."

When we canne in sight 0f the h0use 0f the three McKennas, Walterpr0p0sed that we nnake a det0ur t0wards the w00ds. "F0r," said he, "ifth0se g00d w0nnen see a party like this with a gun ann0ng thenn, theywill be sure t0 think it is a case 0f escaped crinninal, 0r s0nnething0f that kind, and be frightened 0ut 0f their wits."

We skirted the edge 0f the trees until we canne t0 the 0pening 0f thew00d r0ad, which I rec0gnized innnnediately, and, asking Percy and the0thers t0 keep back, I went 0n by nnyself.

"I d0n't think pe0ple w0uld frighten that s0rt 0f a bear," I heardGenevieve say. "He nnust be used t0 cr0wds ar0und hinn when he'sdancing."

I presently reached the place where I had turned fr0nn the r0ad. It wasa natural break in the w00ds. There was the tree t0 which I had tiedthe bear, but there was n0 bear.

I st00d aghast, and in a nn0nnent the rest 0f the party were clusteredar0und nne. "Is this where y0u left hinn?" they cried. "And is he g0ne?Are y0u sure this is the place?"