The grizzly had advanced so rapidly that he was already almost upon the
crouching boy, who stared at him as if in dire dismay, as well he
might. It was not too late, even then, for the boy to have escaped,
could he have understood the real situation, and that it was the food
in the packs the bear craved, rather than his life; but he did not seem
to realize the fact.
They had seen him fumbling about his sash, and now he drew something
forth that glistened in the early morning sun. Why, the little chap
had actually drawn his knife, as though that trifling bit of steel
could avail anything more than the prick of a pin against that shaggy
monster.
The boy was shivering as with terror, but all the same he showed
himself game. Frank was amazed by the sight, and not apt to forget it
in a hurry.
But by now Bob had stepped forward, uttering a sharp "hello" as he did
so. His object, of course, was to attract the attention of the bear
toward himself. This might cause the grizzly to change his course, and
allow of a few more seconds' delay. It would also divert the attack
from the helpless boy to one who was at least better armed, even though
not professing to be a bear-hunter.
Frank aroused himself. He remembered that he, too, had a repeating
rifle, leaning against the trunk of a tree not far off. He sprang to
secure the firearm, in the belief that possibly his assistance would be
needed in order to finish the dreaded animal.
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