The nimble boy was on his feet like a flash, and,
quick as he was, he was not a moment too soon.
He had caught the ominous growl, and he knew the bear had got in his way
again, as it had persisted in doing before.
It did seem singular that the boy and bruin should meet so often, and it
may be that the animal, that was resting himself, lost patience over
such persecution, for he raised his huge body and made for the
frightened boy.
It was an alarming situation for the latter, who did not lose his
presence of mind. He knew much of the nature of the animal, though he
had never before been brought face to face in this fashion with a wild
one.
Desperate as was the haste with which Nick Ribsam fled, he did not
forget to run directly away from his sister, so as to prevent her
becoming involved in this new danger.
Nor did the lad make any outcry, that could only have resulted in
frightening her, but he simply devoted all his energy to getting away
from his pursuer, whose whole savage nature seemed to have been aroused
by the last disturbance.
Who shall not say that bruin did not identify the youngster as the one
that had rapped him so smartly over the snout when he was seeking a
resting-place on the raft? If such were the fact, it cannot be wondered
that the beast pursued the fellow with such persistency.
Nick Ribsam was considered a rapid runner by his playmates, but it took
only a minute or two for him to find out he was no match for his
pursuer, who, starting only a short distance to the rear, was
overhauling him "hand-over-hand.
Pages:
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184