be attacked by him. Now as luck would have it, my rifle happened to be
lyin' on the ground within reach. I grabbed it without saying a word,
and slewin' up one shoulder as high as I could, I was able to sight the
bar jest behind the fore leg. The brute wan't four feet from the
muzzle, and slap into him went wad and all, and down he tumbled like a
felled ox. I seed he war as dead as a buck.

"Well, badly as I war fixed, I contrived to get loaded again, for I
knowed that bars will fight for each other to the death; and I thought
the other might attack me. It wan't to be seen at the time, but shortly
after it come upon the ground from the direction of the crik.

"I watched it closely as it shambled up, having my rifle ready all the
while. When it first set eyes on its dead comrade it gave a loud snort,
and stopped. It appeared to be considerably surprised. It only halted
a short spell, and then, with a loud roar, it run up to the carcass, and
sniffed at it.

"I hain't the least o' a doubt that in two seconds more it would
a-jumped me, but I war too quick for it, and sent a bullet right plum
into one of its eyes, that come out again near the back o' its neck.
That did the business, and I had the satisfaction to see it cowollop
over nearly on top o' the other 'n.

"Well, I had killed the bars, but what o' that. That wouldn't get me
from under the log; and what wi' the pain I was sufferin', and the poor
prospect o' bein' relieved, I thought I mout as well have let them eat
me.

"But a man don't die so long as he can help it, I b'lieve, and I
detarmined to live it out while I could. At times I had hopes and
shouted, and then I lost hope and lay still again.

"I grew as hungry as a famished wolf. The bars were lying right before
me, but jest beyond reach, as if to tantylise me. I could have ate a
collop raw if I could a-got hold of it, but how to reach it war the
difeeculty.

"Needcesity they say is the mother o' invention; and I set myself to
invent a bit. Thar war a piece o' rope I had brought along to help me
wi' the trap, and that I got my claws on.

"I made a noose on one eend o' it, and after about a score o' trials I
at last flung the noose over the head o' one o' the bars, and drew it
tight. I then sot to work to pull the bar nearer. If that bar's neck
wan't well stretched I don't know what you'd call stretchin', for I
tugged at it about an hour afore I could get it within reach. I did get
it a