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He "shinned" down the tree in a manner not unlike the grizzly, and approached the spot where the huge foe was lying, the life-blood flowing from his throat. "I'd like to kick you, you big brute!" said Mr. Onthank. The bear slowly turned upon him his glazing eyes, and they expressed so much ferocity that almost involuntarily the Yankee drew back.
He caught sight of another tree, of a larger trunk than the one which Onthank had ascended, and ran towards it, pursued by the grizzly. Then commenced a dodging game, which seemed to afford but a brief respite from destruction. "This can't last long," thought poor Tom. "I suppose I must die." In that brief time of peril many thoughts passed through his mind.
"I can't stay here, Mr. Ferguson," he said. "I will take my chances and camp out, if necessary." "I agree with you, lad; I'm not inclined to waste my substance on luxurious living." "There won't be much luxurious living, I guess," said Ebenezer Onthank, who, with Yankee curiosity, had already visited the kitchen and obtained some idea of the fare to be expected.
All at once he became conscious of a huge object, scarcely thirty yards distant, whose attention he had already attracted. Mr. Onthank had been long enough in California to recognize in the huge, unwieldy figure a grizzly bear! Ebenezer Onthank was no coward, but it must be admitted that when he saw the eyes of the grizzly fixed upon him he turned pale, and his limbs trembled.
"There's some folks that seem a dyin' all the time, and for all that manage to outlive half the young folks in the neighborhood. Old Keziah Onthank is a complete case in p'int. As long ago as when I was cutting my teeth he was so old that nobody know'd how old he was.
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.
"Why, I've got a brother Tom," said Mr. Onthank. "Cu'rus, isn't it?" Considering that Tom is by no means an uncommon name, it could hardly be called very remarkable, but Tom politely assented. "Is he older than I am?" he inquired. "Yes, my brother Tom is twenty-one years old. I expect he voted at the last town-meeting. I'm four years older than Tom."
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.
Probably he was fatigued with his race. Moreover he knew that his intended victim could not get away. The latter was emphatically and literally "treed." The bear sat upon his haunches and complacently regarded the Yankee. Ebenezer Onthank made himself as comfortable as he could under the circumstances. He was by no means easy in mind, however.
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