m, Jerry and Sparwick caught
sight of him. Their yells of fright blended into one. Who broke loose
first, it is impossible to say. They tumbled apart, and scrambled in hot
haste to their feet. Sparwick slipped back against the wall, and the
delay proved fatal.

The bear was right upon him, having risen to his hind legs. A single
blow from one of the great paws toppled the unfortunate man over on
hands and knees.

Jerry saw the disaster, made a frantic dash, and ran into Hamp's arms.
The latter dropped the candle, and it was extinguished as soon as it
struck the floor, plunging the scene in utter darkness.

The first impulse of the terror-stricken lads was to get as far away as
possible. But Sparwick's shrill cries for help checked them. The panicky
feeling fled, and they regained their courage and self-possession.

"Hold on!" cried Jerry. "We can't leave the fellow to such a fate, even
if he is a rascal."

"That's so," replied Hamp. "Strike a match, quick!"

Jerry already had the metal box out of his pocket, and the words were
barely spoken when the tiny flame of a match pierced the darkness.

Jerry spied the candle as quickly. He grabbed it, and lit the wick. Then
the brighter light showed the boys a startling picture.

Ten feet distant stood the bear, still erect on his hind legs. He had
his forepaws about Sparwick, and was straining him to his breast. The
angry growls of the animal mingled with the shrill, pitiful cries of the
man.

"Look, there's the rifle!" exclaimed Hamp.

It lay two or three feet this side of the bear.

"I see it," cried Jerry. "Here, take the candle."

Then, by a swift and clever dash, he captured the weapon and retreated a
few paces. He hesitated only long enough to pull back the hammer.
Springing forward again, he fearlessly pressed the muzzle of the rifle
against the bear's head, and pulled the trigger.

A frightful report followed. The whole cavern seemed to shake. Flakes of
stone and dirt fell from the roof and walls. The boys were dazed and
deafened by the sound. The candle was extinguished, and by the time
Jerry struck a match and relit it, the powder smoke had lifted.

The bear lay motionless on his back. Sparwick was crawling toward the
lads on hands and knees. He stopped, and sat up against the wall of the
cavern. His face was deathly pale, and a wheezy, gasping sound came from
his lips.

Jerry first satisfied himself that the bear was dead. Then he turned to
his for