“He almost had you,” said Bickford. “If it hadn’t been for Joe and me, he’d have been munchin’ you at this identical minute. Things have changed a little, and in place of the bear eatin’ you you shall help eat the bear.”
By this time Hogan, realizing that he was safe, began to recover his strength. As he did so he became angry with the beast that had driven him such a hard race for life. He ran up to the grizzly and kicked him.
“Take that!” he exclaimed with an oath. “I wish you wasn’t dead, so that I could stick my knife into you.”
“If he wasn’t dead you’d keep your distance,” said Joshua dryly. “It don’t require much courage to tackle him now.”
Hogan felt this to be a reflection upon his courage.
“I guess you’d have run, too, if he’d been after you,” he said.
“I guess I should. Bears are all very well in their place, but I’d rather not mingle with ’em socially. They’re very affectionate and fond of hugging, but if I’m going to be hugged I wouldn’t choose a bear.”
“You seem to think I was a coward for runnin’ from the bear.”
“No, I don’t. How do I know you was runnin’ from the bear? Maybe you was only takin’ a little exercise to get up an appetite for dinner.”
“I am faint and weak,” said Hogan. “I haven’t had anything to eat for twelve hours.”