“Poor chap!” said Joshua. “He looks most tuckered out. Shall I shoot?”
“Wait till the bear gets a little nearer. We can’t afford to miss. He will turn on us.”
“I’m in a hurry to roll the beast over,” said Joshua. “It’s a cruel sight to see a grizzly hunting a man.”
At this moment Hogan turned his head with the terror-stricken look of a man who felt that he was lost.
The bear was little more than a hundred feet behind him and was gaining steadily. He was already terribly fatigued—his breathing was reduced to a hoarse pant. He was overcome by the terror of the situation, and his remaining strength gave way. With a shrill cry he sank down upon the ground, and, shutting his eyes, awaited the attack.
The bear increased his speed.
“Now let him have it!” said Joe in a sharp, quick whisper.
Mr. Bickford fired, striking the grizzly in the face.
Bruin stood still and roared angrily. He wagged his large head from one side to the other, seeking by whom this attack was made.
He espied the two friends, and, abandoning his pursuit of Hogan, rolled angrily toward them.