254 I HAVE TO ETJN. 



and the sight brought deliberately to bear 

 on her shoulder. The trigger was pressed, 

 crack went the cap ; then for several seconds, 

 the disagreeable fizzing of a gun when it 

 hangs fire was heard, and at last — bang! 

 The bullet must have gone up into the air, at 

 an angle of something like 45°, for when the 

 charge exploded, I had taken the stock from 

 my shoulder, and was gazing at the gun in 

 stupid bewilderment. I was not suffered to 

 remain so long, for the bear, now seeing the 

 quarter from whence the flash and report 

 had come, and probably catching a glimpse 

 of my head as well, charged right at me. I 

 stood for half a second, scarce knowing what 

 to do, then turned and started off down hill, 

 as hard as ever I could go. A short way 

 down the hill, was a small ravine, full of 

 snow, as these places generally are in 

 summer, and it was so steep, that in 

 crossing it to get at the bear, I had been 

 obliged to make little holes with the butt 

 of my gun for each step. Fortunately I was 

 able to reach this before the bear overtook 



