He wrenched the rifle round, while the bear still gripped it, and pulled trigger, sending a bullet into its shoulder; whereupon it struck him with its paw, and knocked him over the rocks.

By good luck he fell in a snow bank and was not hurt in the least.

Meanwhile the bear went on and they never got it.
Once he had an experience with a bear which showed a very curious mixture of rashness and cowardice.

He and a companion were camped in a little tepee or wigwam, with a bright fire in front of it, lighting up the night.

There was an inch of snow on the ground.