nd possibility of loss.

When it is borne in mind that the pony was caught in a trap as secure as
an iron cage, it will be understood why the intelligent animal, in the
agony of helplessness, emitted that astounding cry which rang like the
wail of doom through the snowy solitude. Thousands of his species live
for years and die without giving expression to that horrible outcry, for
it requires the agony of fear to call it forth.

The horse has five times the intelligence of the bear, but the latter
was not stupid enough to fail to see his advantage, or to allow it to
slip from him. The enormous trail which he had made in the snow was
noticed by Tim Brophy before seeing the brute, and he identified it at a
glance, his only fear being that he might arrive too late to save his
pony.

The latter cowered against the rock, his fright so pitiable that, in the
stirring moments, both youths were touched with sympathy for him.

"Begorra, but isn't he a bouncer?" whispered Tim, coming to a halt. "I
niver looked upon as big a one."

"Has he hurt Billy?" asked Warren, who, as will be remembered, was a
few paces behind him while making the brief run.

"He has scared him out of ten years' growth, and it's mesilf that's
going to pay the same compliment to the spalpeen."

"Be careful, Tim! You know how hard it is to kill one of those
creatures, and when they are roused----"

Further utterance was cut short by the report of Tim's gun. The young
Irishman's failing was his impetuosity. When he saw his services needed,
he was so eager to give them that he frequently threw caution to the
winds, and plunged into the fray like a diver going off the rocks.

Halting less than fifty feet away, he brought his rifle to a level and
let fly. It was as impossible for him to miss as it was to inflict a
mortal wound, and the ball meant for the skull of the brute found
lodgment elsewhere.

The bear appeared to be in the act of rising partly on his haunches,
when the report, and probably a sharp twinge in his shoulder, apprised
him of what was going on at the rear. The contemplated feast was not to
be without its unpleasant interruption.

He uttered a low growl and came straight for the two youths. Their
rifles being of the magazine kind, they were prepared to open a
bombardment, which they did without delay; but after a number of shots
had been fired, and the mountainous animal continued to sweep down upon
them, Warren called out:

"Let's r