ld not help being attracted by it. Whatever
his meditations, however, it was not destined that he should pursue them
long without interruption; for his quick ear soon detected the sharp,
quick bark of several dogs--a sound that was carried along by a breeze
which swept by him at intervals. He raised his head with his huge nose
in the air to sniff out any possible danger, and did not seem at all
pleased with the result of his observations; for he drew first one foot
and then the other out of the water, and raised himself to his full
height. As he did so, a more than usual commotion in the stream drew his
attention, when he perceived the round head of a large otter appear
above the surface, whilst two bright eyes gave a hasty look all round.
On observing Bruin, the head immediately disappeared, and at the same
moment a whole pack of terriers, in hot haste, came sweeping round a
bank hard by, but stopped short on finding themselves in presence of
such a formidable creature.

Bruin perceived that he had made an impression, and his usual insolence
returned; for he had at first been startled, and he attributed the pause
of the terriers to fear, when, in fact, it was only the result of
surprise. If he had been a little better physiognomist, he would have
observed a certain air of determination about the little fellows, which
sufficiently showed that it was prudence or a sense of duty which stayed
them, and not a lack of courage: they had been sent out to procure an
otter, and they were now deliberating among themselves whether it
would be wise to spend their time in quarrelling with a bear.

[Illustration: A CLOSE EMBRACE.]

After a short consultation, one who appeared to have the guidance of the
pack uttered a decided little bark, and turning a little aside,
endeavoured to pass between Bruin and the stream, but sufficiently near
to show that he was not afraid to come into contact with him, followed
by his companions. This evidently contemptuous mode of treating him,
aroused all our ill-tempered hero's bad humour; so, without considering
the consequences of the action, he raised his big paw and knocked the
leader down. The sturdy little fellows wanted no further provocation; as
if influenced by a single will, they turned upon him, and attacked him
in front, flank, and rear, with an impetuosity which was at first
irresistible, because unexpected. Finding that those behind him were his
greatest and most successful tormentors,