ng a brass nail in the stock of his gun.

To make his shot surer, he ascended a little eminence still nearer the
animal. He cocked his gun, and advanced carefully. The eminence, however,
was formed only of a mass of leaves and twigs, the interstices being
concealed by the snow. As he put his foot on it, it gave way, he fell,
and his gun was discharged.

Before he could rise the animal was awake, and rushed on him. It placed
its two paws on the shoulder, and having him thus in its power, with its
eye sparkling with rage, joked at its victim. Unable to move, Ireneus
closed his eyes, and commended his soul to the mercy of God.

The claws of the animal had already pierced his flesh, when he heard the
report of a gun both on his right and left. Each had reached the animal's
head, which fell dead on the meditated victim, covering him with blood,
and lacerating Ireneus's breast and chest in its convulsive agony.

At the same moment, with a cry of triumph, the two peasants ran to him.
They found him paralyzed by the weight of the animal, and bathed in
blood. They lifted him up, rubbed his temples with brandy, and holding
him by the belt, made him take a step or two, to see if he could walk. He
could do so.

It was necessary to take him out of the forest, where no assistance could
be had. With great care, and frequent pauses, they at last reached the
open country. There the strength of Ireneus completely gave way, his
wounds bleeding, and his limbs failing him. One of his companions took
off his vest, laid it on the ground, and assisted Ireneus to stretch
himself on it, with touching kindness of heart and solicitude. The other
ran toward the high-road, and seeing a car loaded with hay, induced the
driver by tears, threats and promises to come to Ireneus's aid. They
placed him in it, and thus went to the village.

When there, one of the hunters sent for his wife, and said:

"Go, fast as you can, to M. de Vermondans, and say that his nephew is
ll, but in no danger, and hurry back to prepare the table. We have made a
famous hunt. To-morrow we will have the bear-feast."

The old gentleman, when he heard the news, hurried to his nephew. Then
Looking into the huntsman's face, he passed his hand over Ireneus's body.

"Nothing serious, that is good."

Soon after came Ebba, pale and trembling, who, when she saw her cousin's
blood, fell half dead in her father's arms.

The physician said that the wounds of the young officer wer