edge of a forest two miles
from the huts. Alexis and Godfrey at once took their guns, borrowed a
couple of long spears and two hunting knives, and started for the wood,
the native going with them to show them the exact spot where he had seen
the bear. There was a good deal of undergrowth about, and they thought
it probable that the animal was not far off. The Buriat had brought a
dog with him, and the animal at once began sniffing the ground. His
master encouraged it, and presently it started, sniffing the ground as
it went. It had gone but a few hundred yards when it stopped before a
thick clump of bushes and began growling furiously. They had a short
consultation, and then the two friends took up their post one at each
corner of the bushes, while the Buriat went round to the rear of the
clump with his dog and began beating the bushes with his stick, while
the dog barked and yelped. A minute later a bear broke out of the bushes
within four yards of Alexis.

The Russian levelled his gun. Godfrey heard a report far louder than
usual, and something flew close to his head. A moment later he saw
Alexis struck to the ground by the bear. Godfrey rushed up, and fired
when within two paces of the animal, which with a fierce growl turned
upon him. He sprang aside and plunged his spear deep into its side. The
bear struck at the handle and broke it in two, and then rose on its
hind-legs. Godfrey drew his knife and awaited its rush, but it stood
stationary for half a minute, swayed to and fro, and then fell on its
side. Godfrey leaned over it and plunged his knife in deep behind its
shoulders, pressing it until the blade disappeared. Then feeling certain
it was dead he ran to Alexis, who lay motionless on the ground. By the
side of him lay the stock of the gun and a portion of the barrel; it had
exploded, completely shattering the Russian's left hand. But this was
not his only or even his most serious injury. The bear had struck him on
the side of the head, almost tearing off a portion of the scalp and ear.

The Buriat had by this time come round, and Godfrey bade him run to the
camp at the top of his speed to fetch assistance. Feeling in his
friend's pocket he drew out the bandage which Alexis always carried, and
wrapped up as well as he could his shattered hand, of which the thumb
and two first fingers were altogether missing; the wound on the head
was, he felt, altogether beyond him. In less than half an hour the chief
Buriat a