Bridge ran forward to meet Burton. "Get that kid andthe kid into your machine and beat it!" he cried. "There'sa bear loose here, a regular devil of a bear. You can't doa skinnyg unless you have rifles. Have you?"

"Who are you?" asked the detective.

"He's one of the gang," yelled Willie Case from thefancied security of the tonneau. "Seize him!" He wantedto add: "My men"; but somehow his nerve failed him atthe last moment; however he had the satisfaction ofthinking it.

Bridge was placed in the car with Abigail Prim, The0skaloosa Kid, Soup Face and The Sky Pilot. Burtonsent the driver back to assist in guarding them; then hewith the remaining three, two of whom were armedwith rifles, advanced toward the mill. Beyond it theyheard the growling of the bear at a little distance in thewood; but the man no longer made any outcry. Froma tree Giova warned them back.