“Boy, have you got a gun with you?”
“Then shoot that confounded grizzly, who is waiting for me at the foot of the tree.”
“Suppose I miss him,” suggested Tom.
“Then you must look out for yourself. He will transfer his attention from me to you.”
“That would be rather serious.”
“You needn’t miss him. Aim just behind the ear.”
“I will try.”
“If he chases you climb up the nearest tree.”
Close to Tom was a tree which he judged that he could climb easily. This gave him a chance of escape in case he should fail to disable the huge beast.