r. It was not unlikely either that one of us, especially the first
mate, who was not accustomed to ride, might tumble off. If so, the bear
would certainly kill him. On we went as fast as our horses' legs could
carry us. The bear was, notwithstanding this, gaining on us. I kept
alongside Jerry, so did the mate. Their horses could not go faster. I
wondered what had become of the rancheroes; I did not see them. Another
terrific growl was heard, and looking over my shoulder, I saw that the
bear had gained still more on us. He was not eighty paces from us.
Just then I saw Jerry pulling at his horse's bridle. He hauled away
lustily, but it was too late. Down went the poor animal over a big
stone, and away flew Jerry over his head. I shrieked with terror. How
could I help him? I turned round, hoping to divert the bear's
attention, but the monster took no notice of me, and made straight at
Jerry. At that moment, when I thought that it was all up with him, I
heard a loud _switch_, as if something were passing rapidly through the
air, and two of the rancheroes darted out from behind a cliff, having
thrown their lassoes over the bear's head and shoulders. Away they
galloped in an opposite direction to which he was going, till their
ropes were at their fullest tension, and then their horses drew up,
planting their feet firmly on the ground and dragging against the
astonished animal. Instead of seizing the prey he expected, he found
himself drawn up with a halter round his neck, and heating the air in a
vain endeavour to escape. When he found that he could make no head
against the two rancheroes, who were endeavouring to stop him, he turned
round in a fit of fury and endeavoured to overtake them. Keeping their
lassoes at full stretch, away they went before him; and if he stopped a
moment to try to get rid of the nooses, they gave him a jerk which made
him move on again. Jerry was, happily, not hurt by his fall, and having
caught his horse, the mate, and I helped him quickly to mount and to
overtake the rest of the party who were following the hunters. After
galloping along the valley for a quarter of a mile or so, the two other
rancheroes darted out from behind a rock, and whirling their lassoes
round their heads, cast them with unerring aim over the shoulders of the
bear, and then galloped away from him. The monster had now four lassoes
round him. Mighty as was his strength, and fierce as were his
struggles, he