place for my feet. I was about to
draw myself out of the water when, on looking up, what should I see on
the top of the bank but a huge bear gazing intently down on me, and
licking his jaws as if in contemplation of a pleasant repast.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

I LOOK AT THE BEAR, AND THE BEAR LOOKS AT ME--I CLIMB UP AND HE TRIES TO
CATCH ME, BUT I DODGE HIM AND ESCAPE--PROCEED ON--FIND A HOLLOW FALLEN
TREE, AND MAKE MY BED IN THE INTERIOR--PLEASANT SLEEP UNPLEASANTLY
DISTURBED--MY FRIEND THE GRIZZLY AGAIN--I ESCAPE UP A TREE, AND BRUIN
OCCUPIES MY BED--WE TRY EACH OTHER'S PATIENCE--I WATCH FOR AN
OPPORTUNITY OF ESCAPING, AND HE WATCHES TO CATCH ME.

The bear looked very fierce; but I felt desperately desperate, and
determined not to be compelled by him to continue my voyage. So,
grasping the branch, I gradually drew myself up by it nearly out of the
water. I got one knee on the bank; the bear gave a growl; then I got
the other knee on _terra firma_; the bear growled again. I was not to
be intimidated. I had never let go my pole. I sprang to my feet and
stood looking up at the monster. He growled more fiercely than ever, as
if to warn me that I was intruding on his domains.

"Growl away, old Bruin," I exclaimed, "I do not fear you. Stop me from
getting to the top of the bank you shall not."

I flourished my stick as I spoke. He took the movement as a challenge,
and began to descend. The top was not nearly so steep as the place on
which I stood. The bear got down tolerably well, growling as he
advanced, and picking his way. My rifle was loaded, but I had every
reason to doubt that it would go off, after the ducking it had got,
though the muzzle had not got under water. I flourished my pole,
therefore, at the bear, and shouted at the top of my voice, but it did
not stop him. Just above me was a ledge. I climbed up to it, and there
waited the approach of the bear. The ground above was very steep and
slippery. On he came, faster and faster. My shouts had enraged him,
and he was eager to have a grab at me. I ran up a little way higher,
and then turned as if I would spring back into the water. He was afraid
he should lose me, and forgetting his previous caution, he sprang on to
catch me.

As he did so I leaped nimbly on one side, and he toppled over, head
foremost, souse into the water. I saw him struggling away to regain the
bank; I did not stop to watch him, however, but sprang upwards with all
the ag