re that the bear was before them; and, acting upon this
belief, they cocked their guns, and continued their approach towards the
wood pile.

CHAPTER FORTY.

A DARKEY ON BEAR-BACK.

Both the young hunters succeeded in passing over the log, and had set
foot on the peninsula; while the negro, who was following a little
behind, was still upon the prostrate trunk. Just at that moment a noise
was heard--very similar to that made by a pig when suddenly started from
its bed of straw--a sort of half snort, half grunt; and along with the
noise a huge black body was seen springing up from under the loose pile
of dead trees, causing several of them to shake and rattle under its
weight. Our hunters saw at a glance that it was the bear; and levelled
their guns upon it with the intention of firing.

The animal had reared itself on its hind legs--as if to reconnoitre the
ground--and while in this attitude both the hunters had sighted it, and
were on the eve of pulling their triggers. Before they could do so,
however, the bear dropped back on all-fours. So sudden was the
movement, that the aim of both was quite disconcerted, and they both
lowered their guns to get a fresh one. The delay, however, proved fatal
to their intention. Before either had got a satisfactory sight upon the
body of the bear, the latter sprang forward with a fierce growl, and
rushed right between the two, so near that it was impossible for either
of them to fire otherwise than at random. Ivan did fire, but to no
purpose; for his bullet went quite wide of the bear, striking the log
behind it, and causing the bark to splinter out in all directions. The
bear made no attempt to charge towards them, but rushed straight on--
evidently with no other design than to make his escape to the woods.
Alexis wheeled round to fire after him; but, as he was raising his gun,
his eye fell upon the negro, who was coming on over the log, and who had
just got about halfway across it. The bear had by this time leaped up
on the other end, and in a hurried gallop--that had been quickened by
the report of Ivan's piece--was going right in the opposite direction.
The negro, who saw the huge shaggy quadruped coming straight towards
him, at once set up a loud "hulla-balloo," and, with his eyes almost
starting from their sockets, was endeavouring to retreat backwards, and
get out of the way.

His efforts proved fruitless: for before he had made three steps to the
rear, the bea