The bear took a wide circuit towards the river, pausing at times until
the foremost of the dogs came up, which he could easily manage to keep
at bay; but when all of them (and the curs did good service now)
surrounded him, he found it necessary to set forward again. When he
had run as far as the river, and turned once more towards the hills,
his course seemed to be in a direct line with Glenn, and the young
man's heart fluttered with anticipation as he examined his gun, and
turned his horse (which had been accustomed to firearms) in a
favourable position to give the enemy a salute as he passed. Nearer
they came, the dogs pursuing with redoubled fierceness, their blood
heated by the exercise, and their most sanguine passions roused by
their frequent severe skirmishes with their huge antagonist. As they
approached, the strange and simultaneous yelpings of the curs and
terriers resembled an embodied roar, amid which the flute-like notes
of Ringwood and Jowler could hardly be heard. Glenn could now
distinctly hear the bear rushing like a torrent through the bushes,
almost directly towards the place where he was posted, and a moment
after it emerged from a dense thicket of hazel, and the noble steed,
instead of leaping away with affright, threw back his ears and stood
firm, until Glenn fired. Bruin uttered a howl, and halting with a
fierce growl, raised himself on his haunches, and displaying his array
of white teeth, prepared to assail our hero. Glenn proceeded to reload
his rifle with as much expedition as was in his power, though not
without some tremor, notwithstanding he was mounted on his tall steed,
whose nostrils dilated, and eyes flashing fire, indicated that he was
willing to take part in the conflict. The bear was preparing for a
dreadful encounter, and on the very eve of springing towards his
assailant, when the hounds coming up admonished him to flee his more
numerous foes, and turning off, he continued his route towards the
hills. Glenn perceived that he had not missed his aim by the blood