s modesty was overcome; but certainly he
did not do justice to the biscuits and cheese handed to him, for there
were limits even to his capacity.

Just as they had about finished, a distant barking was heard, and Steve
tried to stand up, but sank back with a groan.

"Skeny!" he cried. "Oh, I say, I am stiff!"

"The dog! Ah, where has he been all this time?"

"She went off efter the teer, and tidna come pack."

"Not after deer now, gentlemen," cried Johannes, snatching up his spear.
"Quick! your guns."

The weapons were seized, and all now caught sight of that which had
attracted the Norseman's attention; for a huge bear was seen coming down
from a ravine, followed by the dog, which kept on snapping savagely at
the beast's heels, and then as the bear turned bounded out of its reach.

But the bear did not appear disposed to follow the dog, acting directly
after as if it had some object in view, for it turned again, placed its
nose close to the ground, and came on toward the little open camp.

"That's my big bear!" said Steve excitedly. "How do you know?" said the
captain, altering the cartridge in one of his barrels for a bullet.

"Because I came down from the mountain that way; and look, he's smelling
my footsteps."

"Yes, that is right, gentlemen. The brute will be here soon. Shall we
meet him here, or get among the rocks?"

"What do you say?" cried the captain. "Here, sir, now that we are not
out of breath. If we climb, our hands will tremble."

"But I've no gun," said Steve.

"And you are not fit to use one, so leave it to us, my boy. Will it
come on when it sees us, Johannes?"

"Yes, sir, I think so. These beasts are very fierce, and they have had
so little to do with man, that they do not avoid him. We must be very
steady and stand firm. I'll attack first from the right."

"What, with the spear?" cried Captain Marsham. "No!"

"It would be better, sir," said the Norseman respectfully. "These
animals move rather slowly. It will turn to attack me savagely; and as
I try to keep it off with the spear, it will be side on to you, and give
you both good shots at the shoulder. Don't aim at the head until it is
down."

"You are right," said the captain. "Do as you say, but take care of
yourself."

"I leave that to you, gentlemen," said the man, smiling. "You will have
to shoot the brute while I hold its attention."

There was no more time for conversation, for the bear was coming
stead