ily on, checked by the dog from time to time, the former action
being repeated again and again, and Skene's activity enabling him to
leap away from the savage blows directed at him by the bear.

"Cartridges all right, Handscombe?" cried the captain sharply.

"Yes; both fresh."

"Mind not to hit the dog."

The doctor nodded, and Steve stood with his heart beating, wishing that
he had the gun far away now upon the sledge, though he was fain to
believe that his hands shook, so that he could not have shot straight.
He had to join with Watty in occupying the position of spectators, and
he was watching the bear come on, still without appearing to realise
their presence, when the captain said:

"I don't think we shall have any difficulty with the brute; but you lads
must be ready to take to the rocks if we do. He might charge by us."

"Just a few yards forward, sir," said Johannes; "the ground is more
level."

They moved away from where the boys were standing to a spot free from
fallen rocks; and Steve's heart beat more heavily, as he felt how brave
it seemed to be to step forward to the attack of so fierce a beast--one
which, by a single stroke of the paw, could sweep away those strong men;
and as the bear came on, once more he saw himself breathless and
exhausted, climbing up and up the snowy slope towering above where he
now stood, with the savage beast close at his heels, merciless and
untiring, and so determined that it had gone on tracking him ever since
his escape. All this robbed him of any feeling of commiseration for the
ferocious creature, and he hoped fervently that it was coming on surely
to its fate.

"She'll come an' climb oop amang the rocks?" whispered Watty just then.

"No, no; stop here," said Steve hoarsely.

"She'll pe safer," whispered Watty.

"Be quiet and look on," replied Steve angrily.

"She'll pe kilt," groaned the lad; but he was silent afterwards, and as
much interested in the scene before him as his companion.

And all the while the snapping, growling, and turning went on while the
bear approached nearer and nearer, still without seeing those who waited
for it with their deadly weapons poised. It seemed at first that in its
heavy way the animal would have come close up; but at last, when it was
not more than fifty yards distant, Skene made a sharper charge than
ever, as if delighted that his master and friends should see his
prowess, charging so close home that he seized the long