In the meanwhile [the bear], showing every indication of rage [was trying to climb up on the engine hood], despite the throbbing of the engine, which was going, though the gears were not thrown in.
“Start the car and run over him!” exclaimed Bob.
“Back up and get out of his way!” was Ned’s advice to Jerry.
“I’ve got to do something,” muttered the steersman.
Matters were getting critical. The storm was increasing in violence, with the wind lashing the rain into the faces of the travelers. The growls of the angry beast mingled with the rumble and rattle of thunder, and the machine was shaking under the efforts Bruin made to climb over the hood and into the front seat.
“Hold on tight! I’m going to start!” yelled Jerry suddenly.
He threw in the intermediate gear and opened wide the gasolene throttle. The car sprang forward like a thing alive. But the bear had too good a hold with his long sharp claws sticking in the ventilator holes of the hood, to be shaken off.
“I should think he’d burn on the water radiator,” said Ned.
“His fur’s too thick I guess,” was Bob’s reply.