Souse! he was plunged: hauled up choking and dripping: then--just as
he found tongue to shriek--souse! again.

'Twas a dismal punishment; and this time they kept him under for a
full half minute. But as the beam was lifted again, I heard a
hullaballoo and a cry--

"The bear! the bear!"

And turning, I saw a great brown form lumbering down the street
behind, and driving the people before it like chaff.

The crowd at the brink of the pool scatter'd to right and left,
yelling. Up flew the beam of the ducking stool, reliev'd of their
weight, and down with a splash went the pickpocket at the far end.
As well for my own skin's sake as out of pity to see him drowning,
I jumped into the water. In two strokes I reach'd him, gained footing,
and with Anthony's sword cut the straps away and pull'd him up. And
there we stood, up to our necks, coughing and spluttering; while on
the deserted brink the bear sniff'd at the water and regarded us.

No doubt we appear'd contemptible enough: for after a time he turned
with a louder sniff, and went his way lazily up the street again. He
had broken out from the pit wherein, for the best part of the day,
they had baited him; yet seemed to bear little malice. For he
saunter'd about the town for an hour or two, hurting no man, but
making a clean sweep of every sweet stall in his way; and was taken
at last very easily, with his head in a treacle cask, by the bear
ward and a few dogs.