The boy suddenly opened his eyes. The darkness about him was deep
and impenetrable and he was conscious of a heavy weight on his
chest. What it was, he did not know, and some moments passed before
he had recovered sufficiently to form an intelligent idea of what
had happened.

All at once he recollected.

"It was the bear," he murmured. "I wonder if I am dead!"

No, he could feel the ground under him, and a rock that his right
hand rested on, felt cold and chilling. But what of the pressure on
his chest?

Cautiously the lad moved a hand toward the object that was holding
him down. His fingers lightly touched it.

Tad could scarce repress a yell.

It was the head of the bear that was resting on him, and he had no
idea whether the animal were dead or asleep, awaiting the moment
when the lad should stir again to fasten its cruel teeth into his
body.

The boy was satisfied, however, that by exerting all his strength he
would be able to pull himself away before the beast could awaken,
even, providing it were still alive.

First he sought cautiously for his weapon, his fingers groping about