80 THE ADIRONDACK. 



pulled the trigger ; but the cap exploded without 

 discharging the pistol. He had no time to put on 

 another cap ; so, seizing his pistol by the muzzle, he 

 aimed a tremendous blow at the creature's head. But 

 the bear caught it on his paw with a cuff that sent it 

 ten yards from Cheney's hand, and the next moment 

 was rolling over Cheney himself in the snow. His 

 knife being gone, it became simply a contest of 

 physical strength ; and, in hugging and wrestling, the 

 bear evidently had the advantage ; and the hunter's 

 life seemed not worth asking for. But, just then, his 

 dog came up, and seizing the animal from behind, 

 made him loosen his hold, and turn and defend him- 

 self. Cheney then sprang to his feet, and began to 

 look around for his pistol. By good luck he saw the 

 breech just peeping out of the snow. Drawing it 

 forth, and hastily putting on a fresh cap, and re- 

 fastening his snow-shoes, which had become loosened 

 in the struggle, he made after the bear. When he 

 and the dog closed, both fell, and began to roll, one 

 over the other down the side-hill, locked in the 

 embrace of death. The bear, however, was too much 

 for the dog, and, at length, shook him off, leaving the 

 latter dreadfully lacerated — " torn," as Cheney said, 



