Melursus Diubolicus. 39 



In the first place, the unlucky position that placed me at 

 that bear's disposal was one of sheer deception. 



Secondly, as the bear had some yards in which to get up a 

 rattling pace, and a sharp curve round which to approach me, 

 completely under cover until within a few feet, it was impos- 

 sible to stop her in time. Indeed, had I brained her, she 

 must have got me once somewhere, being straight head on to 

 me and coming so fast. The only thing that could have 

 averted a catastrophe would have been a projectile of suffi- 

 cent energy to at once overcome and arrest //^energy of, say, 

 25olbs. travelling at 25 miles per hour, and it is not possible 

 to carry a one-pounder Vickers-Maxim everywhere ! 



So far, we see, all the luck was on the side of the wild 

 beast ; but when she seized me it was my lucky star that 

 rose. The bear caught me where I could best afford it the 

 big muscles in front of the thigh. 



Again, the precarious foothold saved me. Our impact and 

 my fall on her back upset the brute, and our rapid descent of 

 the slope prevented her from losing her grip and seizing me 

 again ; it would doubtless have been my face and head then I 

 After that, the tree interposed, by a truly extraordinary 

 piece of luck, in the small of my back the only place to stop 

 my whirling descent; it saved me doubly, for had I possibly 

 escaped death by falling, the bear, finding me still with her, 

 would undoubtedly have polished me off in her own hideous 

 way. 



The melancholy forebodings of a " dot-and-carry-one " 

 action, and those horrid-looking boots with the ultra- 

 Parisian heels, were fortunately not realized; and the leg is 

 almost as good as new. But the lesson has been worth 

 the learning. Bhalu may be a vegetarian: but to pre- 

 suppose a general mildness of temperament thereby seems 

 misguided, and hardly good enough. 



