one side to the other, seeking by whom this attack was made.

He espied the two friends, and, abandoning his pursuit of Hogan,
rolled angrily toward them.

"Give it to him quick, Joe!" exclaimed Bickford. "He's making for
us."

Joe held his rifle with steady hand and took deliberate aim. It was
well he did, for had he failed both he and Bickford would have been
in great peril.

His faithful rifle did good service.

The bear tumbled to the earth with sudden awkwardness. The bullet
had reached a vital part and the grizzly was destined to do no more
mischief.

"Is he dead, or only feigning?" asked Joe prudently.

"He's a gone coon," said Joshua. "Let us go up and look at him."

They went up and stood over the huge beast. He was not quite dead.
He opened his glazing eyes, made a convulsive movement with his paws
as if he would like to attack his foes, and then his head fell back
and he moved no more.

"He's gone, sure enough," said Bickford. "Good-by, old grizzly. You
meant well, but circumstances interfered with your good intentions."