hen wading gently and without noise, I stood
upon the sandy shore.

With shivering frame and dripping garments, I stood, uncertain what
course to pursue. I was upon the opposite side of the lake--I mean
opposite to where I had entered it. I had chosen that side
intentionally, lest the bear should suddenly return. He might deposit
the carcass in his lair, and come back to look after me. It is a habit
of these animals, when not pressed by immediate hunger, to bury their
food or store it in their caves. Even the devouring of the little
antelope would have been an affair of only a few minutes' time, and the
bear might still return, more ravenous that he had tasted blood.

I was filled with irresolution. Should I run off across the plain
beyond the reach of pursuit? I should have to return again for my horse
and rifle. To take to the prairie on foot would be like going to sea
without a boat. Even had I been sure of reaching the settlements in
safety without my horse, I could not think of leaving him behind. I
loved my Moro too well for that: I would have risked life itself rather
than part with the noble creature. No; the idea of deserting him was
not entertained for a moment.

But how was I to join him? The only path by which I could cross the
barranca had just been taken by the bear. The latter was no doubt still
upon it, in the bottom of the ravine. To attempt passing over would be
to bring myself once more under the eyes of the fierce brute; and I
should certainly become his victim.

Another idea suggested itself--to go up the barranca, and find a
crossing, or else head the chasm altogether, and come down upon the
opposite side. That was possibly the best plan to pursue.

I was about starting forward to execute it, when, to my dismay, I again
beheld the bear; this time, not upon the same side with myself, but upon
the opposite one, where Moro was picketed!

He was just climbing out of the ravine when I first saw him--slowly
dragging his huge body over the escarpment of the cliff. In a moment he
stood erect upon the open plain.

I was filled with a new consternation; I perceived too surely that he
was about to attack the horse!

The latter had already observed the bear's approach, and seemed to be
fully aware of his danger. I had staked him at the distance of about
four hundred yards from the barranca, and upon a lazo of about twenty in
length. At sight of the bear he had run out to the end of h