"Shoot him, can't you?" he yelled to the man. "Hurry up, quick!"
Maybe Dixon was reloading with all speed. But he was nervous and consequently took longer than if he had been cool. Before he was ready to fire again the bear was following Si to a still higher branch of the tree.
The former farm lad was badly frightened and with good reason. The loss of one eye had made the bear furious and his one purpose now appeared to be to get hold of the youth and chew him up.
"Can't you fire?" sang out the boy, when near the top of the tree.
"I don't want to hit you," answered Maybe Dixon. "Tell you what, can't you drop to the ground and leave the bear up there?"
"I'll try it," answered Si, and a moment later his body came crashing through the branches. As he passed the bear he hit the animal on the rump. This caused the bear to swing around and lose his balance, and boy and beast came down together on the ground.
Maybe Dixon was close at hand, and before the bear could do more than roll over he let drive, this time putting a bullet into the animal's vitals. The bear got up, staggered toward Si, who quickly darted out of reach, and then tumbled in a heap and began to quiver.
"I guess you hit him that time," panted Si. His face was as white as the snow.
"I guess I did," answered Maybe Dixon. "But don't go near him. He may be shamming."
After a few minutes the bear lay still and they approached with caution, and Maybe Dixon plunged a hunting knife into the animal's throat. Then they were certain the battle royal was at an end.