The trembling boy was able to see the scout as he drew his knife after he had ascended as far up the tree as evidently he had planned to go. Quickly a sturdy branch was cut and trimmed. The grizzly was steadily mounting, but the victim that he was seeking now held a stout club in his hands and was preparing to defend himself.
“And yet,” thought Reuben, “what can Kit Carson do with only a club to protect himself against the savage brutes?”
The bear which had remained on the ground several times threatened to climb the tree after its companion. Apparently, however, it was satisfied to leave to the other bear the task of securing their dinner, or else it was fearful that the tree would not bear the weight of both.
At that moment the climbing bear had approached close to the crotch in which Kit Carson was standing. With one arm around the branch the hunter leaned forward in such a way that he was able to lift his club and look directly down into the face of the savage animal. Suddenly drawing back with all his force Kit Carson brought his club down directly upon the nose of the grizzly.
“The trembling boy was able to see the scout as he drew his knife”
The hunter was aware of the fact that there is no part of the body of the grizzly bear quite as tender as its nose. Reuben laughed excitedly when a roar of pain came from the animal as soon as the blow had been struck, and he saw the brute slowly make its way backward down the tree, shaking its head and occasionally roaring with pain in the descent.
When the bear at last had regained the ground, as if by a mutual understanding, the second bear at once began to climb the tree. Kit Carson meanwhile had obtained shelter in a crotch somewhat lower than the one in which he had first stood. In the place he now occupied he was able to obtain a greater sweep for his club, while his foothold was equally safe.
Rapidly the climbing bear came to the place where the hunter was waiting. Again Kit Carson drew back his club and with the fuller sweep which now he was able to obtain he dealt a still more savage blow directly upon the nose of the approaching bear.