Sometimes he would come up close to the bear and wait for it to charge, which it would do, first at a trot, or rather rack, and then at a lumbering but swift gallop; and he would fire one or two shots before being forced to run.

At other times, if the bear stood still in a good place, he would run by it, firing as he rode.

He spent many cartridges, and though most of them were wasted occasionally a bullet went home.

The bear fought with the most savage courage, champing its bloody jaws, roaring with rage, and looking the very incarnation of evil fury.

For some minutes it made no effort to flee, either charging or standing at bay.