The roots of this tree were only a few feet from the edge of the steep gravelly bank, and this, together with a furious gale, had been the cause of the spruce’s fall.  Between two of the perpendicular roots, which were partly embedded in the ground, was a large hole, before which Gyp was making all the fuss.  The stiff hairs on his back stood straight on end, and he kept leaping constantly forward and backward, wild with excitement.

With considerable difficulty the captain thrust the dog aside, and with the rifle firmly clutched in his hands, he stooped in order to obtain a view of what was within.  Scarcely had he done so, ere a deep growl and roar startled him, while at the same time a large black bear hurled itself like a catapult from among the roots.

Taken by complete surprise, the captain reeled backward, dropping the rifle as he did so in an effort to maintain his balance.  Before he could do this, however, he had gone over the edge of the bank, and after him went the bear.  Down that steep incline man and beast rapidly ploughed their way, taking with them a small avalanche of stones and gravel.  At the bottom of the bank was a pool of water about two feet deep, and into this they plunged, the captain in a sitting position, and the bear upon its back.  Then followed a wild scramble as each endeavoured to get out first.  The bear succeeded better than the man, for the captain had injured his knee, which made it difficult for him to move quickly.

Had this been a young bear he would have taken to his heels at once, and disappeared among the trees.  But being an old-timer, and not a bit cowardly, he had no intention of running away.  He was very angry at being disturbed when he had his house all ready for his long winter sleep.  Then that tumble down the bank into the water was more than his bearish nature could stand, and he was ready for fight.  He scrambled out of the water, and rushed toward the captain.  The latter had no chance at all with his injured knee, and with nothing to defend himself.  It was a critical moment, but he braced himself up, fumbled in his pocket for his clasp-knife, and then faced Bruin, who was now standing, on his hind legs ready for the attack.

When Captain Josh and the bear disappeared over the bank the boys stared in amazement, which soon changed to fear when they saw what the animal really was.  They crowded together, and it needed but a word to cause most of them to rush panic-stricken from the place.

It was Rod who saved the situation.  No sooner had the captain and the bear reached the water, than he sprang forward, seized the rifle, and leaped down the bank.  He had much difficulty in keeping his feet, and several times he thought that he would lose his balance and tumble head-long into the pool below.  He managed, however, to keep from falling by digging his feet into the gravel, and thus step by step moved quickly downward.