thin charging distance of the animal as it rose to its feet; but
another step backward as the bear launched forth, carried him clear of
the spring; and Bruin leaped short. In another instant, however, he
erected himself, and again sprang forward; but this time the impetus
given to his body was not so great; and, although he succeeded in
closing with the young hunter, the latter was enabled to keep his feet
and grapple with him in an erect attitude. Had he fallen to the ground,
the bear would have made short work with him.

Ivan had dropped his gun: for, not having time to raise it or take aim,
the weapon was of no use. His hands were therefore free; and as the
bear pitched up against him, he stretched out his arms, grasped the long
hair that hung over the frontlet of the animal, and with all his might
held back the monster's head with his threatening jaws.

The bear had thrown both his paws around the body of the young hunter;
but a broad thick belt which the latter chanced to have on, protected
his skin from the animal's claws. So long as he could hold back that
open mouth, with its double rows of white sharp teeth, he had not so
much to fear; but his strength could not last long against such a
powerful wrestler. His only hope was that the cries which he was
raising would bring the others to his assistance; and of this he had no
doubt: as he already heard both Pouchskin and Alexis hurrying up towards
the spot.

It was a perilous moment. The extended jaws of the bear were within
twelve inches of the young hunter's face; he could feel the hot breath
steaming against his cheeks, and the long extensile tongue almost
touched his forehead, vibrating about in rapid sweeps, as if the animal
by that means hoped to bring his head within reach!

The struggle was not protracted. It lasted till Alexis and Pouchskin
came upon the ground; but not six seconds longer. The first thing that
Pouchskin did was to grasp the protruding tongue of the bear in his left
hand--making a half curl of it round his fingers--while with his right
he plunged his long knife right between the ribs of the animal. Alexis,
on the other side, dealt a blow in similar fashion; and, before either
of them could draw his blade out of its hair-covered sheath, the huge
mountebank relaxed his hold, and rolled over among the pebbles. There,
after a few grotesque contortions his limbs lay extended and motionless,
making it evident beyond a doubt, that _his