The match was yet in my hand; and I saw that there remained upon it a portion of the phosphoric compound.
I applied its point to the coal of the cigar; and had the gratification of beholding it blaze upwards.
I now kindled the Spanish moss, which, saturated with the brandy, soon became a blaze; and this strange torch I at once dropped on the back of the bear.
Just as I had expected, the brandy, with which I had wetted the shaggy coat of the bear, became instantly ignited into a whishing, spluttering flame, which seemed to envelope the whole body of the animal!
But I was not allowed to have a long look at the conflagration I had created: for the moment the bear felt the singeing effects of the blaze, she broke away from the bottom of the tree, and retreated over the nearest ridge, roaring as she went like a tropical hurricane!
Never before had I beheld a living creature under such an elevated inspiration of fear.
Her cries were soon answered by another grizzly, not far away; and I knew that no time was to be squandered in making my escape from the place.
I quickly descended from the tree; and the distance I got over, in the succeeding ten minutes, was probably greater than I had ever done before in twice the time.