172 ADVENTURES OF DR. ALLEN. 



tered savage growls which made me turn cold. Before 

 Steward could fire, the bear was close upon him, but a ball 

 from the rifle struck the brute in the heart while he was 

 crossing a log which gave way, throwing Bruin over back- 

 ward. Steward put in another cartridge and snapped it, 

 but it did not explode. By this time the bear had regained 

 his feet, and, maddened with rage, was rushing at Steward, 

 who had extracted the shell of the bad cartridge, but not the 

 ball, which stuck fast in the grooves of his rifle. It was 

 a terrible position for a defenseless man, having the bear al- 

 most upon him, while, from my position on the other side, 

 I could see only the top of Steward's head, for he was close 

 to the vines and I could not know how the battle was going, 

 although the sounds told me much. I knew my presence was 

 required, but was undecided whether to force my way 

 through the undergrowth, or run around. Either course 

 would have consumed valuable time. Steward intimated 

 what was best for me to do, by dropping his gun and start- 

 ing up hill, as fast as his lame leg would allow him. I de- 

 cided to remain perched upon the rock where I was, with 

 the hope that I might get a shot at the bear. Steward rushed 

 up hill, the bear close behind, in plain sight now. Steward's 

 buckskin coat, which was covered with blood, hair, grease, 

 and all kinds of filth, stood out straight behind him. I could 

 not get a shot for fear of hitting him, and began to think 

 he was doomed to be devoured alive. 



I called out at the top of my voice, "Run for the rock up 

 hill. Hurry, he is almost on your back." 



Steward reboubled his sped and went as I directed him, 

 the bear gaining upon him so fast that I felt sure it would 

 catch him before he could find safely upon the rock. My 

 time for action was come. I sent a ball through the tops of 

 the bushes, which took effect in the shoulder of the bear. 



