, the grizzly bear!

My first impulse was to press back into the recess where I had hidden
myself. This I did, until my back leaned against the rocks. I had no
thoughts of attempting to escape out. That would have been from the
frying-pan into the fire, for the Indians were still in front of the
cave. Moreover, any attempt to retreat would only draw on the animal,
perhaps at that moment straining to spring.

I cowered closely, groping along my belt for the handle of my knife. I
clasped this at length, and drawing it forth, waited in a crouching
attitude.

During all this time my eyes had remained fixed on the lustrous orbs
before me.

I saw that they were fixed upon mine, and watched me without as much as
winking.

Mine seemed to be possessed of abstract volition. I could not take them
off. They were held by some terrible fascination; and I felt, or
fancied, that the moment this should be broken, the animal would spring
upon me.

I had heard of fierce brutes being conquered by the glance of the human
eye, and I endeavoured to look back my _vis-a-vis_ with interest.

We sat for some time, neither of us moving an inch. I could see nothing
of the animal's body; nothing but the green gleaming circles that seemed
set in a ground of ebony.

As they had remained motionless so long, I conjectured that the owner of
them was still lying in his lair, and would not make his attack until
something disturbed him; perhaps until the Indians had gone away.

The thought now occurred to me that I might better arm myself. I knew
that a knife would be of little avail against a grizzly bear. My pistol
was still in my belt, but it was empty. Would the animal permit me to
load it? I resolved to make the attempt.

Still leaving my eyes to fulfil their office, I felt for my flask and
pistol, and finding both ready, I commenced loading. I proceeded with
silence and caution, for I knew that these animals could see in the
dark, and that in this respect my _vis-a-vis_ had the advantage of me.
I felt the powder in with my finger, and pushing the ball on top of it,
rolled the cylinder to the right notch, and cocked.

As the spring "clicked," I saw the eyes start. "It will be on me now!"

Quick as the thought, I placed my finger to the trigger but before I
could level, a voice, with a well-known accent, restrained me.

"Hold on thur!" cried the voice. "Why didn't 'ee say yur hide wur
white? I thought 'twur some sneaking