Raed, Corliss, and Hobbs were following after him at a reckless pace; Bonney was trying to cut him off on the right; while Wade and Donovan, with Palmleaf a few rods behind them, were heading him on the left.

Such a shouting and hallooing! They were all mad with excitement.

We, who had killed our bear, kept after them as fast as we could run, but couldn't begin to catch up.
Bang! Somebody tired at him then.
'Twas Hobbs.
"Cut him off!" "Head him!" was the cry.
"He's hit!" "Head him off there!" Wade and Donovan were actually outstripping the bear, and getting ahead; seeing which, the frightened, maddened beast tacked sharp to the left to escape behind them on that side,--going straight for Palmleaf, who was now considerably behind Wade and Don.

Instantly a yell arose from all hands.
"Look out, Palmleaf!" "Shoot him, Palmleaf!" "Let him have it!" "Aim low!" "Now's your time!" The negro, who had been running hard, stopped short, and, seeing the bear bounding toward him, made a feint to raise his musket, when it went off, either from accident or terror, in the air.

We heard the bullet _zip_ fifty feet overhead.