emale, and these are
larger and fiercer than the males."

"I agree with you, Nessus," Malchus said. "Were we on other ground I
should say let us attack it, but I have had enough of fighting bears on
the edge of a precipice. There is as much meat as we can carry ready for
us below. Besides, the hour is late and the men will be getting uneasy.
Moreover, we are but half armed; and we cannot get at her without
crawling through that hole, which is scarce three feet high. Altogether,
we had best leave her alone."

While they were speaking the bear began to roar angrily, the deeper
notes being mingled with a chorus of snarls and whinings which showed
that there was a young family with her.

"Do you go first, Nessus," Malchus said. "The rear is the post of honour
here, though I fancy the beast does not mean to come out."

Nessus without a word took the lead, and advanced across the platform
towards the corner.

As he was in the act of turning it he sprang suddenly back, while an
arrow flew past, grazing the corner of the rock.

"There are a score of natives on the path!" he exclaimed. "We are in a
trap."

Malchus looked round in dismay. It was evident that some of the natives
must have seen the fall of their leader and watched them pursue the
bear, and had now closed in behind them to cut off their retreat. The
situation was a most unpleasant one. The ledge extended no further than
the platform; below, the precipice fell away sheer down a hundred feet;
above, it rose as high. The narrow path was occupied with numerous foes.
In the den behind them was the angry bear.

For a moment the two men looked at each other in consternation.

"We are fairly caught, Nessus," Malchus said. "There is one thing, they
can no more attack us than we can attack them. Only one can come round
this corner at a time, and we can shoot or spear them as they do so. We
are tolerably safe from attack, but they can starve us out."

"They can shoot over from the other side of the ravine," Nessus said;
"their arrows will carry from the opposite brow easily enough."

"Then," Malchus said firmly, "we must dispose of the bear; we must have
the cave. We shall be safe there from their arrows, while, lying at the
entrance, we could shoot any that should venture past the corner. First,
though, I will blow my horn. Some of our men may be within hearing."

Malchus pulled forth the horn which he carried. It was useless, being
completely flattened with the