320 WILD SPORTS- IX THE FAR WEST. 



discovered the glowing eyes only a few paces off. Just 

 at this moment, my left elbow struck against a pro- 

 jecting bit of rock ; the torch fell out of my hand, and 

 all was dark as pitch ; for although young Conwell had 

 a second torch, my body filled up the space so com- 

 pletely that not a ray of light could pass. I took up 

 the glimmering splinter, and threw it at the bear, which 

 checked her, but only for a moment. Suddenly young 

 Conwell stopped, and said he could not find the pas- 

 sage ; and making a shp with his right hand, which 

 held the torch, he dropped it in the water. I could 

 not answer for the bear, who had followed us slowly, 

 as if she knew that we were doing our best to get out 

 of her way ; she must have been so near, that I felt 

 sure that if I stretched out my arm to its full extent I 

 should touch her ; for I could feel her hot breath on 

 my face. With my left arm a little in advance, the 

 right with the hunting-knife drawn back, I awaited, 

 w^ith every stroke of the pulse, the beast's attack, 

 thinking of nothing else than selling my life as dearly 

 as possible ; for I had no hopes of getting out alive. 



Meantime, young Conwell had not been idle. Aware 

 that we could do nothing without a light, he had felt for 

 his tinder-box, and the noise of his flint and steel was 

 the only sound that broke a silence like that of the 

 grave ; for at the first blow the bear had ceased growl- 

 ing to listen to the strange sounds. 



After a painful and anxious pause, he called out, " I 

 have got a light, give me the powder-horn and a rag." 

 I cut away the first from its sling, then tore off a piece 

 of my hunting-shirt, and passed them behind me. In 

 a few minutes he recovered his splinter ; this gave us, 



