Get out of the way , boys , '' and Eph raised the window to get good aim . `` There he is ! Fire away , and do n't miss ! '' cried Seth , hastily following Sol , who had climbed to the top of the dresser as a good perch from which to view the approaching fray . Prue retired to the hearth as if bent on dying at her post rather than desert the turkey , now `` browning beautiful , '' as she expressed it . But Tilly boldly stood at the open window , ready to lend a hand if the enemy proved too much for Eph . All had seen bears , but none had ever come so near before , and even brave Eph felt that the big brown beast slowly trotting up the door-yard was an unusually formidable specimen . He was growling horribly , and stopped now and then as if to rest and shake himself . `` Get the ax , Tilly , and if I should miss , stand ready to keep him off while I load again , '' said Eph , anxious to kill his first bear in style and alone ; a girl 's help did n't count . Tilly flew for the ax , and was at her brother 's side by the time the bear was near enough to be dangerous . He stood on his hind legs , and seemed to sniff with relish the savory odors that poured out of the window . `` Fire , Eph ! '' cried Tilly , firmly . `` Wait till he rears again . I 'll get a better shot , then , '' answered the boy , while Prue covered her ears to shut out the bang , and the small boys cheered from their dusty refuge up among the pumpkins . But a very singular thing happened next , and all who saw it stood amazed , for suddenly Tilly threw down the ax , flung open the door , and ran straight into the arms of the bear , who stood erect to receive her , while his growlings changed to a loud `` Haw , haw ! '' that startled the children more than the report of a gun . `` It 's Gad Hopkins , tryin ' to fool us ! '' cried Eph , much disgusted at the loss of his prey , for these hardy boys loved to hunt , and prided themselves on the number of wild animals and birds they could shoot in a year . `` Oh , Gad , how could you scare us so ? ''
laughed Tilly , still held fast in one shaggy arm of the bear , while the other drew a dozen oranges from some deep pocket in the buffalo-skin coat , and fired them into the kitchen with such good aim that Eph ducked , XXXXX screamed , and Sol and Seth came down much quicker than they went up .
Eph Gad Hopkins Prue Seth Tilly first growlings pumpkins year