Joe got some water and threw it in his face.
He opened his eyes and drew a deep breath. A sudden recollection blanched his face anew, and he cried:
“Don’t let him get at me!”
“You’re safe, Mr. Hogan,” said Joe. “The bear is dead.”
“Dead! Is he really dead?”
“If you don’t believe it, get up and look at him,” said Bickford.
“I can’t get up—I’m so weak.”
“Let me help you, then. There—do you see the critter?”
Hogan shuddered as he caught sight of the huge beast only twenty-five feet distant from him.
“Was he as near as that?” he gasped.