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Updated: June 1, 2025
They were amply furnished with the means of travelling in the most expeditious manner, and were not encumbered with any great amount of luggage. A bag of roubles, which Pouchskin carried in a safe pocket, proved the most convenient article they could have taken along with them; since it enabled them to supply their wants from day to day, without troubling themselves with any cumbersome baggage.
With this idea, Pouchskin seized his axe, knocked the great icicle into "smithereens," and was about going to work upon the huge stalagmite that blocked up the entrance, when he was interrupted by the Quan. "With your leave, master!" said the latter, as he laid his hand upon Pouchskin's arm to restrain him. "Not so fast, if you please?"
Without going quite close he dared not fire: for in the way that man and bear were dancing about, there would be as much danger of killing the one as the other. All at once, however, they appeared to separate. Pouchskin had torn himself out of the bear's clutches, and, evidently disinclined to a renewal of the embrace, was retreating backward, over the snow, still hotly pursued by the animal.
Ivan, who directed this operation, was determined his plan should not fail by any stinginess in regard to the materials required for carrying it out. After a short space of time the plastic fingers of Pouchskin had elaborated the powder paste into a roll as large as a regalia cigar; and this being dried slightly near a fire which they had long before kindled was ready for the touch.
Two of these voyageurs kindly furnished by the chief factor at the fort propelled the canoe which carried our young hunters; so that with Pouchskin there were five men in the little craft. This was nothing, however, as birch-bark canoes are used in the Territory of a much larger kind some that will even carry tons of merchandise and a great many men.
It appeared a good idea at all events, it would not be difficult to give it a trial. Gunpowder was not scarce with them since Russian roubles were plenty; and Pouchskin, pouring out nearly a quarter of a pound into the palm of his broad hand, commenced spitting upon it and working the powder into a paste.
Pouchskin, riding his great French jennet, had started in the advance. Just in front of him, however, the pack mules were standing in a cluster not only blocking up the path, but barring the way on both sides so that to get beyond them it would be necessary to pass through their midst.
Perhaps they would even have passed this group; and taken their chances of finding another, that might make a less powerful appeal to their compassion; but in this they were overruled by Pouchskin.
It lasted till Alexis and Pouchskin came upon the ground; but not six seconds longer. The first thing that Pouchskin did was to grasp the protruding tongue of the bear in his left hand making a half curl of it round his fingers while with his right he plunged his long knife right between the ribs of the animal.
Then seizing him by the arms one on each side they drew him up, till his feet once more rested on the surface of the snow. Pouchskin proceeded to describe the manner of his escape his young masters listening to him with great interest although they already guessed pretty nearly how it had been accomplished. Still there were some points not so clear to them, which the old guardsman detailed.
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