closing them. The bar had scarcely been dropped into place when the bear hurled himself with all force against the barrier.
"He is going to break in the door!" cried one of the ladies.
"Let us go upstairs," said the elderly gentleman, and lost no time in leading the way.
There was a back door to close, and one of the negroes started for this.
But just as he got close to the door he saw the bear coming, and, uttering a wild yell, he too made for the stairs.
Tom was close at hand, and it must be confessed that he felt thoroughly sorry over what he had done. "I'm responsible for all of it," he groaned. Then, as the bear stepped close to the back door, he got behind the barrier and tried to shove it shut.
The result was a surprise for both boy and bear, for as the beast made a leap the edge of the door caught him, and in a twinkle the animal was held fast by the neck between the door and its frame!
CHAPTER V
A NEVER-TO-BE-FORGOTTEN SWIM
"I've got him fast! Help! help!"
"Tom's caught the bear!" shouted Sam. "Can you hold him, Tom?"
"I guess I can if some of you will help me!" panted the youth. "Hurry up!"
Sam and Dick were on the stairs, but now both ran to their brother's assistance, and all three pushed upon the door with all of their strength.
The barrier groaned and creaked and it looked as if at any instant it would burst from its hinges.
"Gracious, we can't hold him very long!" gasped Sam. "Can't somebody hit the animal with a club?"
"I reckon I can do dat!" shouted one of the hostlers, and caught up an ax-handle which stood in one corner. As he approached the bear the beast uttered a roar of commingled rage and fear, and this was so terrorizing to the colored man that he dropped the ax-handle and ran for his very life.
"Come back here!" cried Tom.
"Can't do it, boss; he's gwine ter chew me up!" howled the hostler.
"Hold the door I'll hit him," put in Sam, and picked up the ax-handle. Stepping forward, he struck out heavily, and the bear dropped in a heap, completely dazed and more than half choked to death.
By this time the Italian was again at hand. In one pocket he carried a thin but strong line, and in a twinkle he had tied one fore and one hind leg together, so that the bear, when he got up again, could do little but hobble along. Then from another pocket he drew a leather muzzle, which he buckled over the beast's head. But the bear had had all of the ugliness knocked out of him and was once more as docile as ever.
"Tom," whispered Dick. "I guess the best thing we can do is to get out of this place. If the folks discover the trick you played they'll mob you."
"I guess you're right. But who'll settle our bill?"
"I'll do that," said Sam. "They know I wasn't near the bear when the rumpus started."
So it was agreed, and while Tom and Dick left the hotel grounds Sam strolled into the office to pay their bill. It was some time before the clerk came to wait on him.
"Say, I believe your brother started this kick-up," observed the clerk.
"What?" demanded Sam, in pretended astonishment.
"I say, I think he started this kick-up."
"What kick-up?"
"The one with the bear, of course."
"Why, my brothers helped to catch the beast."
"I know that; but one of 'em started it. What do you want?"
"Want to pay our bill. How much is it?"
"Going to leave?"
"Yes."
"Think you had better, eh?"
"We only hired our room until this noon." Sam drew himself up. "If you want your pay you be civil."
"Yes, but — " The clerk broke off short. "Six dollars, please."
"All right, there you are," and Sam shoved the bills over. "Now don't say we created a muss or I'll report you to the proprietor."
"Yes, but see here — "
"I've not got my glasses just now. Good-by, and — "
"That man hasn't got his monkeys yet, and — "
"What's that to you? Are you afraid the proprietor will put one of 'em in here in your place?" And before the clerk could say another word Sam ran off and joined his brothers at the river bank.
Soon the three reached the dock where the Spray lay undergoing repairs. The deaf man was just finishing his work.
"She'll be about as good as ever," he said, in reply to Dick's question. "She's a fine boat."
"I guess he says that of every boat that brings him in a job," murmured Sam. "Come on."
He went aboard and the others followed. Dan Haskett was paid off, the mainsail was hoisted, and once more they stood up the river in the direction of the State capital. It was their intention to spend two days in Albany and then return to New York with the yacht. This would wind up their vacation, for Putnam Hall was to open on the following Monday.
The day proved an ideal one, but the wind was light and the yacht scarcely moved even with the mainsail and jib set to their fullest. This being so, the boys got out their fishing lines and spent an hour in trolling, and succeeded in catching several fair-sized fish.
"We'll have to cook our own dinner," remarked Dick. "Tom, since you did us out of our meal at the hotel I reckon you are the one to fall in for this work."
At this Tom cut a wry face, but still, seeing the justice of his elder brother's remark, he went at the dinner-getting with a will. The yacht boasted a kerosene stove, and over this he set fish to frying and a pot of potatoes to boiling. As the river was calm and the yacht steady the little stove worked very well.
They were still out of sight of Albany when the midday meal was pronounced ready. In addition to the articles already mentioned, they had coffee, bread and butter, and what was left of a cocoanut pie purchased the day previous. The boys were all hearty eaters, and the food disappeared as if by magic.
After dinner the breeze died out utterly, and Sam proposed that they cast anchor close to shore and take a swim. The others were willing, and soon they had disrobed and donned their bathing trunks and were sporting in the water to their hearts' content.
The water was somewhat colder than they had anticipated, and the effect upon Sam was disastrous. The youngest Rover had eaten more heartily than either of his brothers and this made him sick at the
