failed.

Tad tittered an exclamation of disgust and put spurs to the pony.

"I never did know how to handle a revolver," he complained. "I'll
begin to practise with this gun to-morrow if I get out of this
scrape safely."

He had failed to take into consideration that a bear was an
extremely difficult animal to kill, and that frequently one of them
could carry many bullets in its body without seeming to be bothered
at all.

But the lad was determined to get this one. He had not thought of
where he was going nor how far from camp he had strayed. His one
desire now was to get the animal and put a quick end to it.

This time Tad was enabled to get closer to Bruin than at any time
during the chase. He drove the pony at a gallop right up alongside
of the animal.

Leaning over he aimed the gun at the beast's head, holding it firmly
with both hands.

Tad gave the trigger a quick, firm pressure. A sharp explosion
followed.

At the same instant, Pink-eye in a frightened effort to get clear of
the bear, leaped to one side. The lad, leaning over from the saddle,
was taken unawares, and making a desperate effort to grasp the