Part 20 (1/2)

Mr Onthank's reflections when the grizzly was slowly but steadily climbing the tree were by no means pleasant.

”If he once grips me, I am gone,” he said, despairingly.

”Shall I shoot?” asked Tom, looking on in excitement.

”You might hit me,” said Ebenezer, who knew nothing of Tom's skill as a marksman.

”No, I won't.”

”I think I'll swing off,” said the Yankee, ”and join you.”

Whether this was or was not a wise thing to do Tom did not feel qualified to decide. It was evident that Onthank must do something speedily, or he would be in the power of the bear. He waited nervously till Bruin was uncomfortably near, and then, seizing the branch with his hands, swung to the ground. The height was considerable, and the fall jarred him; but, quickly recovering himself, he ran towards Tom.

”Now we must run for our lives, Tom,” he said, suiting the action to the word.

Tom fully understood the necessity, and followed suit, first hazarding a glance at the discomfited bear.

When the grizzly witnessed the escape of his victim he showed no excitement, nor did he accelerate his motions. He began deliberately to back down the tree. This required some little time, which Tom and his friend made the most of.

”Give me your rifle,” said Onthank.

”I'd rather keep it,” said Tom.

”I can make better use of it,” said the Yankee.

”I don't know about that,” said Tom. ”At any rate I will keep it.”

He felt that it was hardly reasonable to expect him, in the presence of such a danger, to give up his only instrument of defence.

”You are only a boy,” said his companion, discontented.

”I can shoot,” answered Tom, briefly.

Onthank was not in general an unreasonable man, but danger makes men selfish.

”Give it to me,” he said, in a tone of authority, and he tried to wrest it from Tom's hands.

”You shall not have it,” exclaimed Tom, indignantly. ”Take away your hand, or I'll shoot you!”

Of course Tom was excited, and would not have carried out his threat, but he was fully resolved to stand up for his rights.

Whether Ebenezer would have yielded the point, being stronger than Tom, is uncertain; but our hero shouted ”Look out for the bear!” and the Yankee, in alarm, released his hold, and the two entered upon a race, in which the Yankee's superior length of limb enabled him to keep the first place.

Bruin was now on terra firma, and was on his way, wagging his great head, developing an alarming rate of speed. Tom was somewhat hampered by the weapon which he carried, and he was getting out of breath.

Onthank was three or four rods ahead of him. The situation had changed, and it was now Tom that was in the greater peril.

”Don't give out, Tom!” called out Ebenezer, encouragingly.

”I won't,” gasped Tom, ”if I can help it.”