ce; but still nothing
appeared. The dogs, however, showed they were convinced that some
animal or other was concealed within the trunk.

At last, growing impatient, we approached and thrust our long sticks
into the hollow, feeling about in every direction.

"I am sure that mine has struck something soft!" I exclaimed; and
scarcely had I uttered the words when a low growl reached our ears. A
dark body next appeared for an instant among the stems of the trees
surrounding the hollow trunk, and then out rushed a bear through an
opening which we had not perceived.

The dogs gave chase, and so did we. Bruin had but a short start; and
although he must have been well acquainted with the locality, we,
scorning all impediments, soon overtook him--the dogs having already
commenced biting at his hind feet. This was too much for his
equanimity, so, suddenly turning round, he struck two or three of them
with his fore paws, sending them sprawling to a distance. As he did so
the glare of our torches dazzled his eyes, and so perplexed him that he
seemed not to know what to do. Of one thing only he must have been
convinced,--that he was in for a fight; and, brave bear as he was, he
sat up on his hind legs and prepared to receive us.

Mike fired, but only wounded him in the shoulder. This stirred up
Bruin's anger to a pitch of fury, and, with a growl like thunder, he
dashed forward at his opponent. Mike, however, nimbly skipped on one
side, and the bear's eye fell on Quambo, who had lifted his rifle to
fire. But scarcely had he pulled the trigger when the bear was upon
him, and both rolled over together.

For an instant I thought that the black was killed, but his voice
shouting to us to drag off the bear reassured me; and Mike's
hunting-knife quickly finished the animal, which was struggling in the
agonies of death. Happily, his teeth had only torn Quambo's jacket; and
on our dragging away the dead body the black sprang to his feet.

"Berry good sport," he observed, shaking himself. "I'se wonder wedder
Mrs Bear not remain behind! and piccaninny bears too, perhaps! We look
as we go by. Howeber, we now make ready dis gen'leman to carry home."
He and Mike then fastened the bear's feet together, and hung the animal
to a long pole, which they cut from a sapling growing near. Then having
placed it on their shoulders, with short pieces at right angles at
either end to prevent it slipping, they announced that they were ready