The saw-miller looked fixedly at the beast, trying to cow it with his eyes; but the bear's eyes were turned in the direction of Cyril. With a low growl it watched him angrily.
CHAPTER XI.
CYRIL SPEAKS UP FOR THE INDIANS.
As Cyril looked round hastily he perceived Mr. Ellison's box of matches, with which he had just been lighting his pipe, and at the same moment the thought flashed across his mind that fire was a mighty power. Perhaps the bear could by its means be scared away.
Suddenly he snatched up the match-box, struck a light, and applied it to the dry leaves and withered boughs beside him.
An instant conflagration was the result. A wave of fire leaped up between them and the bear.
The beast, snarling, drew back a yard or so, then sat up watching the flames with much distrust.
"Bravo, lad!" shouted Mr. Ellison, stirring up the fire and spreading it out between them and the bear, which retreated still further, with a prolonged growl.
