ntry.

Under the thin trees there was neither underwood, nor long grass; and
they could see between their trunks in every direction, to the edge of
the jungle that grew around.

While walking quietly along, a singular noise reached their ears, that
caused them suddenly to halt in their tracks. It caused them to turn
also: for the noise appeared to come from behind them. It resembled the
hurried breathing of a person badly afflicted with asthma; but so much
louder, that if it had proceeded from human lungs, they could only have
been those of an asthmatic giant!

It was, in reality, a gigantic creature that produced the noise: since
it was neither more nor less than a grizzly bear. Not one alone, but a
brace of these monstrous animals--a male and female, no doubt--were seen
at that moment by the edge of the thicket, out of which the hunters had
just emerged. Both were standing on their hind limbs, and both uttering
the strange snuffing noise that had attracted attention to them. Other
noises were now mingled with these--sharp querulous grunts--and, by the
gestures which the bears were making, it was evident they not only saw
the three hunters in the open ground, but were reconnoitring them
perhaps with an intention to make an attack upon them!

Our hunters were quite taken aback. They had expected, at least, to
have been allowed the initiative in any conflict that might occur; but
they now saw that, instead of being the assailing party, they were
likely to be the assailed!

They had no time for deliberation; for the brace of bears, apparently
having satisfied themselves with their threatening demonstrations,
dropped down on all-fours, and came galloping onward--almost as fast as
horses could have done!

The three hunters fired at once; and not with out effect: for one of the
bears fell to their shots. It was the smaller one, and that which had
been foremost. Acting without concert, they had all aimed at the same
animal--choosing that which was nearest; and this was unfortunate, for
had some one of them sighted the other and bigger bear, they might have
given him a wound that would have, at least, crippled him.

As it was, he had neither been shot at, nor touched; and the fall of his
mate--for it was the male who survived--now so completely exasperated
him, that he rushed on with the full determination to deal death among
the enemies who had bereaved him.

It was fortunate that he stopped a moment over his