he passed. Nearer
they came, the dogs pursuing with redoubled fierceness, their blood
heated by the exercise, and their most sanguine passions roused by
their frequent severe skirmishes with their huge antagonist. As they
approached, the strange and simultaneous yelpings of the curs and
terriers resembled an embodied roar, amid which the flute-like notes
of Ringwood and Jowler could hardly be heard. Glenn could now
distinctly hear the bear rushing like a torrent through the bushes,
almost directly towards the place where he was posted, and a moment
after it emerged from a dense thicket of hazel, and the noble steed,
instead of leaping away with affright, threw back his ears and stood
firm, until Glenn fired. Bruin uttered a howl, and halting with a
fierce growl, raised himself on his haunches, and displaying his array
of white teeth, prepared to assail our hero. Glenn proceeded to reload
his rifle with as much expedition as was in his power, though not
without some tremor, notwithstanding he was mounted on his tall steed,
whose nostrils dilated, and eyes flashing fire, indicated that he was
willing to take part in the conflict. The bear was preparing for a
dreadful encounter, and on the very eve of springing towards his
assailant, when the hounds coming up admonished him to flee his more
numerous foes, and turning off, he continued his route towards the
hills. Glenn perceived that he had not missed his aim by the blood
sprinkled on the bushes, and being ready for another fire, galloped
after him. Just when he came in sight, Boone's gun was heard, and
Bruin fell, remaining motionless for a moment; but ere Glenn arrived
within shooting distance, or Boone could reload, he had risen and
again continued his course, as if in defiance of everything that man
could do to oppose him.

"Is it possible he still survives!" exclaimed Glenn, joining his
companion.

"There is nothing more possible," replied Boone; "but I saw by his
limping that your shot had taken effect."

"And I saw him fall when you fired," said Glenn; "but he still runs."

"And he _will_ run for some time yet," remarked Boone, "for they are
extremely hard to kill, when heated by the pursuit of dogs. But we
have done our part, and it now remains for those at the passes to
finish the work so well begun."

Joe's imagination had several times worked him into a fury, which had
as often subsided in disappointment, during the chase below, every
particle of which c