24 THRILLING ADVENTURES. 



his grasp, and his musket loaded with two good ounce bullets, 

 well wrapped in greased buckskin. Gradually he disappeared, 

 thrusting the lights before him with his feet, and holding the 

 musket ready cocked in his hand. A few anxious moments 

 a low stifled growl was heard then a loud, bellowing, crash- 

 ing report, followed by a wild and fearful howl, half anguish, 

 half furious rage. The men above wildly and eagerly hauled 

 up the rope, and the sturdy hunter was whirled into the air 

 uninjured, and retaining in his grasp his good weapon ; while 

 the fierce brute rushed tearing after him even to the cavern's 

 mouth. As soon as the man had entered the small chamber, 

 he perceived the glaring eyeballs of the bear, had taken 

 steady aim at them, and had, he believed, lodged his bullets 

 fairly. Painful moanings were soon heard from within, and 

 then all was still ! Again, the bold man determined to seek 

 the monster ; again he vanished, and his musket shot roared 

 from the recesses of the rock. Up he was whirled ; but this 

 time, the bear, streaming with gore, and furious with pain, 

 rushed after him, and with a mighty bound cleared the con- 

 fines of the cavern ! A hasty and harmless volley was fired, 

 while the bear glared round as if undecided upon which of 

 the group to wreak his vengeance. Tom, the hunter, coolly 

 raised his piece, but snap ! no spark followed the blow of the 

 hammer. With a curse, Tom threw down the musket, and 

 drawing his knife, rushed forward to encounter the bear single 

 handed. What would have been his fate had the bear folded 

 him in his deadly hug, we may be pretty sure ; but ere this 

 could happen, the four bullets did their work, and he fell ; a 

 convulsive shudder passed through his frame, and all was 

 still. Six hundred and odd pounds did he weigh, and great 

 were the rejoicings at his destruction. 



