to scratch his head and cogitate.  In fact, one instant spent in thought then would have proved his death warrant without hope of a reprieve.  Messrs. Bruin evidently considered their domain most unjustly intruded upon.  The gentle elk and deer mayhap were their dancing boys and girls; and, like many a petty king in savage land, they may have dined late and were now enjoying a scenic treat of their ballet troupe.  At all events Kit required no second thought to perceive that the monarchs of the American forest were unappeasably angry and were fast nearing him with mighty stride.  Dropping his rifle, the little leaden bullet of which would now have been worth to him its weight in gold if it could by some magic wand have been transferred from the heart of the elk back into its breech, he bounded from his position in close imitation of the elk, but with better success.  The trees! he hoped and prayed, as he fairly flew over the ground with the bears hot in chase, for one quick grasp at a sturdy sapling.  By good fortune, or special Providence, his hope, or prayer, was answered.  Grasping a lower limb he swung his body up into the first tier of branches just as passing Bruin brushed against one of his legs.  Bears climb trees and Kit Carson was not ignorant of the fact.  Instantly drawing his keen-edged hunting knife, he cut away for dear life at a thick short branch.  The knife and his energy conquered the cutting just as Messrs. Bruin had gathered themselves up for an ascent, a proceeding on their part to which Mr. Carson would not give assent.  Mr. Carson was well acquainted with the Messrs. Bruin’s pride in, and extreme consideration for, their noses.  A few sharp raps made with the severed branch upon the noses of the ascending bears, while they fairly made them to howl with pain and rage, caused them hastily to beat a retreat.  This scene of ascending, getting their noses tickled and again descending howling with pain and rage now kept Mr. Carson and Messrs. Bruin actively busy for some time.  The huge monsters and monarchs of the mountains were determined not to give it up so.  Such a full and fair chase and to be beaten by a simple white man on their own domain!  This evidently galled their sensitive natures.  It is true the roaring of the bears in his rear had stimulated Mr. Carson in the race, so much so, that he undoubtedly ran at the top of his speed; and, being naturally, as well as by long practice, very fleet of foot, he had managed to outstrip his pursuers in the race.  It is true he had made short work of climbing the tree and here again had very innocently beaten the bears at their own game and one in which they took great pride.  It is more than probable that the bears were in too good condition to run well.  Had it been early spring time they would doubtless have been much lower in flesh.  That was their own fault too; they should have known that racing time cannot be made on high condition.  After leaving their hibernating quarters they should have been less given to a sumptuous habit at the table.