He inflicted another wound on the she bear, though he did not put that maddened animal out of business. Yet the beast drew back so sharply that Private Terry was able to free his bayonet from entanglement.
"Fix your bayonet, Hal, if you have a chance," shouted Noll Terry, as he now leaped gallantly after the maddened animal that was claiming his attention.
Hal did, not a moment too soon, for now bruin was at him again.
Two quick, sharp thrusts Hal made, the first just as bruin was rising on his hind feet to advance to hug the young soldier.
The second thrust tapped bruin on the left shoulder just as he sank to all fours.
Then Private Overton turned sick again, as he saw the dripping fangs of the beast come closer.
Darting back a dozen feet, Overton, in frantic haste, jammed in his third cartridge.
"Steady, boy!" he urged himself. "This is for your life!"
Bruin made a spring. The muzzle of the rifle was not four feet from the male bear's heart as Hal Overton pulled the trigger.
That was the end of bruin. The beast fell and rolled over on his side.