A BEAR ON FIRE. 23 



over the steep little bluff of rocks behind 

 us, into our midst. 



But now note this fact every man 

 there, red or white, saw or felt that huge 

 and noiseless monster the very second she 

 slid among us. For as I looked, even a I 

 first looked, and then turned to see what 

 the others would say or do, they were all 

 looking at the glittering eyes set in that 

 coffin-like head. 



The Indians did not move back or seem 

 nearly so much frightened as when they 

 saw the drift of embers and dead beasts in 

 the river before them; but the florid En 

 glishmen turned white! They resolutely 

 arose, thrust their hands in their pockets 

 and stood leaning their ba,cks hard against 

 the steep bluff. Then another snake, long, 

 black and beautiful, swept his supple neck 

 down between them and thrust his red 

 tongue forth as if a bit of the flames had 

 already reached us. 



Fortunately, this particular "wisest of 

 all the beasts of the field," was not dis- 



