g and
whizzing and cracking, as if half a dozen alarm-clocks had been set
going at the same time! In the midst of this confusion of noises, and
louder far than any, could be heard a number of sharp wild shrieks, and
before the rocket had half burnt out, Bruin was seen bolting forth over
the broken fragments of ice. Two shots were fired, almost
simultaneously; but both failed to check his onward rush; and with a
mighty force he came "bump" against the palisades, causing them to crash
and swag as if they would give way. It was fortunate for the hunters
that the stakes stood the shock: for such a set of teeth as that bear
exhibited they had never before seen. A single stroke from those paws
would have been enough to crack the thickest skull in creation.

Ivan gave him his second barrel--the one loaded with slugs,--but it only
served to increase his fury; and now rearing up, and then going on
all-fours, he kept rushing backward and forward through the enclosure,
all the while uttering fierce growls.

Alexis, meanwhile, had dropped his rifle and taken up the fusil of
Pouchskin. His place was at one side of the enclosure. He had already
got the barrel through the wattles, and was endeavouring to level it
upon the bear--seeking for a mortal part at which he might aim. The
darkness, however,--for the roofed stockade rendered it dark--combined
with the quick movements of the animal, hindered him from getting a
sight to his satisfaction. He knew the importance of making this a
killing shot. Should the bear, wounded as he now was, retreat back into
his den, there would be no chance whatever of getting him out again.
Alexis thought of this; and therefore resolved not to fire at random, as
he had done before. He knew that a full-grown bear, unless shot in the
brain or heart, can accommodate a score of bullets without being much
inconvenienced by them.

Knowing this, Alexis was biding his time, when all at once he perceived
the bear make halt on the front side of the enclosure. He now aimed at
the heart of the huge animal, but before he could pull trigger, a loud
crash sounded in his ear, and Bruin was seen dropping to the ground,
where he continued to lie, almost without giving a kick!

It was the axe of Pouchskin that had caused the crash, as its edge of
steel descended upon the bear's cranium, smashing it in as if it had
been an eggshell. As the Quan predicted, the animal had imprudently
poked his head through the