thing in his paws. As he went by the tower, I perceived that it was
the unfortunate she-goat, whose kid we had fastened within. I was
determined, if I could not save the poor goat's life, at all events to
deprive Master Bruin of his supper, and calling out to Ned, I dashed
through the boughs in pursuit of him. It was hazardous work I own, but
I had not a moment for thought. Had I, probably I should have acted
more wisely. Ned was on his feet in a moment, and with his pistol in
his hand in pursuit of the bear. Bruin saw us coming, but showed no
inclination to relinquish his prey. He ran on at a great rate, and it
was some time before we overtook him. Even when we were close to him,
he continued his flight, apparently taking no notice of us.

"Whatever you do, don't fire, mate, before he shows his face!" exclaimed
Ned. "Give him a poke in the neck; it will make him turn perhaps."

I accordingly gave him a plunge with my stick, keeping, however, beyond
the reach of his paws should he turn suddenly round. Even this did not
make him stop, so I gave him another dig, which at last brought him to
bay, though he still kept hold of the goat. Immediately he faced about.
Ned fired his pistol, aiming at his eye. The ball took effect, and,
with a growl of fury, the beast rushed at us, at the same time dropping
the goat. On this we retreated down the road, repenting not a little of
our folly in having attacked him. Seeing that the bear had received no
mortal injury, Ned snatched the other pistol from my hand, and waited
steadily till the bear got within arm's length of him. I trembled for
his safety, but resolved not to let him stand the brunt of the combat
alone. I made a desperate charge with my stick. This distracted the
attention of Bruin, who seized hold of my stick, and at the same moment
Ned fired. The ball hit him, I saw, but was afraid had not mortally
wounded him, for, with a loud growl, he sprung upon my companion. Ned,
however, was on the alert, and leaped nimbly on one side, as I did on
the other, and the brute fell headlong over on his snout. We could not
help giving a shout of triumph at our victory, which made Pedro, who had
been awakened by the shots, hurry up to us, wondering what was the
matter. We were not quite certain that our foe was really dead; but a
few pokes with our sticks at length convinced us that he was so, and we
therefore ventured to examine him. The ball from the last shot had hi