he replaced the copper cap and dashed forward in pursuit of
the intruder. As we had no wish to go bear-hunting unarmed, we hurried
back to obtain our rifles and some powder and bullets from Simon. By
the time we were supplied, the rest of the party who had been aroused by
our shouts, were on foot and preparing to accompany us. On returning to
the door, we could nowhere see Mark; but Simon taking the lead we
followed him. The moon had got up, so that we managed to see our way
with tolerable clearness, by a path leading down to a stream, with
precipitous banks, rising in some places into cliffs of considerable
height. We had gone some distance when we heard a shot fired.

"Mark has brought Master Bruin to bay," cried Simon; "I wish he had
waited until we had come up."

I heard the sound of footsteps behind us, and looking round saw that our
Indian allies had followed, as eager as we were to get the bear's meat.
Just then we saw Mark bending over the bear which he had shot; but what
was our horror the next moment to observe another huge monster rush out
from behind a rock and lifting itself on its haunches make a spring at
him, before he could even turn round to defend himself. His death
seemed certain. In attempting to shoot the bear, we should too probably
kill him. No one therefore dared to fire. In vain he endeavoured to
escape from the claws of the creature who held him in a fast embrace.
His brother and Armitage, who were leading, dashed forward, the one
drawing a long knife, the other armed with an axe which he had caught up
as we left the hut. I held my gun ready, waiting to fire should I be
able to do so without running the risk of shooting one of my friends.

It was a fearful moment. It seemed scarcely possible, even should we
kill the bear, that poor Mark would escape destruction. Simon,
springing close to the monster, dealt it a tremendous blow with his axe,
hoping to draw its attention on himself; while Armitage, with his
uplifted knife, dashed forward, and as he did so plunged his weapon
behind the bear's shoulder. The monster turned round on feeling the
wound, and I thought would have bitten Mark's head. Simon again plied
the brute with his axe. The huge jaws relaxed, the head sank down,
Armitage had driven his knife home to the beast's heart.

With shouts, indicative of their satisfaction, the Indians now hurried
up and assisted us in dragging off the body from our fallen friend who
was by