he in no way crippled the animal; for, as soon as the smoke had cleared
out of his eyes, he saw the huge quadruped part from the side of his
mate, and come charging down upon him.

Pouchskin hesitated for a moment whether to withstand the attack, and
had drawn his knife to be ready; but the formidable appearance of the
antagonist, his immense size, and fierce aspect, admonished Pouchskin
that in this case discretion might be the better part of valour, and he
yielded to the suggestion. Indeed, the two voyageurs in the canoe were
already shouting to all three to run for it--warning them of the danger
they were in by the most earnest speech and gesture.

Ivan and Alexis stood their ground till Pouchskin had returned to where
they were, and then both fired upon the bear. They may have hit him or
not; but the huge monster showed no sign, and only appeared to charge
forward the faster.

All three together now ran for the boat. It was their only refuge; for
had it been a trial of speed, and much ground to go over, the bear would
certainly have overtaken them; and a few wipes from his paw would have
ended the life of one or the other--perhaps of the whole trio.

It was fortunate they had the boat to flee to: else Pouchskin's
imprudence, in provoking the bear, might have led to a fatal
termination.

Quick as their legs could carry them they made for the canoe; and one
after the other leaped into it. Without even waiting for them to seat
themselves, the two voyageurs pushed off from the bank, suddenly
shooting the craft out into the middle of the stream.

But this did not stay the pursuit of the infuriated bear, nor even delay
him for a moment.

On reaching the bank, he did not make halt; but, launching out, sprang
down with a plunge upon the water. Then, stretching his body at full
length, he swam direct after the canoe.

The craft had been turned head down the stream; and, what with the help
of the current and the impulse of the oars, it swept onward with
arrow-like rapidity. But for all that it soon became apparent that the
bear was gaining upon it--his broad paws enabling him to swim with the
velocity of a fish--while every now and then he rose above the surface,
and bounded forward to a distance of several feet through the air!

The voyageurs plied their paddles with all their skill and energy; there
was the dread of death to stimulate them to the utmost exertion of their
strength. They knew well, that, if