"Lie still, sir!" gasped Sergeant Hal.
"Lie Still, Sir!" Gasped Sergeant Hal.
There was but a single cartridge in Overton's rifle. He clicked the bolt, then aimed all in a flash.
In his agitation Hal succeeded only in grazing the top of the animal's back.
But bruin, crouched on Darrin's body, raised his head and turned it snarlingly toward Hal.
Everything that was to be done must be done in a moment. Fortunately, the young sergeant wore his bayonet in scabbard at his belt.
Like a flash Sergeant Overton fixed that bayonet to the muzzle of his rifle, bruin regarding him with a hostile glitter in his eyes, while Midshipman Darrin, whose rifle had been hurled just out of his reach, had the presence of mind to lie utterly still.
"Now, we'll see what you'll do, bruin!" quivered Hal, making a swift lunge for the animal's side.
What bruin did was to leap away from the midshipman's prostrate body. Despite the bear's lumbering body and shambling gait he can be spry enough at need.