HORACE "COMES BACK" 159 



his wake emerging at high speed from the brush, 

 he at once followed a natural and compelling im- 

 pulse to climb a tree, from which position of van- 

 tage he watched the subsequent proceedings. Con- 

 way, hearing the commotion, but too far away to 

 discern its cause, ran back toward the others. He 

 was halted as he neared by a warning cry from 

 Wetherby, then he too sought a convenient oak. 



This was the situation as the infuriated bear be- 

 gan to climb the tree after Wallace, who carried no 

 weapons, and was therefore compelled to rely upon 

 his agility alone for safety. As soon as he saw that 

 the bear intended to follow him he moved as far out 

 on a limb as he could, hoping that at the worst the 

 animal, if it persisted in its attempt to reach him, 

 would precipitate both to the ground and give him 

 a possible chance to escape. 



The three men, each in his individual tree, watched 

 the bear's progress intently in a state of high sus- 

 pense. As it became increasingly evident that the 

 beast would succeed in reaching him, Wallace cried 

 out involuntarily. 



Wetherby immediately began to descend from the 

 limb on which he sat, calling out at the same time 

 to his beleaguered chief: 



1 ' Sit tight, Wally ! I '11 be over in a minute ! ' ' 



"What 're you trying to do, Wetherby I" cried 

 Con way, as he realised the other's purpose. "Don't 

 be a fool!" 



