There was none; and if he jumped down, he knew the bear would be upon him ere he could recover the fall, and make short work of him.
Moreover, Denys was little used to turning his back on danger, and his blood was rising at being hunted.

He turned to bay.
"My hour is come," thought he.

"Let me meet death like a man." He kneeled down and grasped a small shoot to steady himself, drew his long knife, and clenching his teeth, prepared to jab the huge brute as soon as it should mount within reach.
Of this combat the result was not doubtful.
The monster's head and neck were scarce vulnerable for bone and masses of hair.

The man was going to sting the bear, and the bear to crack the man like a nut.
Gerard's heart was better than his nerves.

He saw his friend's mortal danger, and passed at once from fear to blindish rage.