Suddenly, upon turning a sharp corner of the cliff, he saw it widened ten feet ahead into a sort of platform lying in the angle of the cliff, which beyond it again jutted out.

On this platform was a bear, which with an angry growl at once advanced towards him.

Malchus discharged his arrow; it struck the bear full on the chest, and penetrated deeply.

With a stroke of his paw the animal broke the shaft asunder and rushed forward.

Malchus threw forward the point of his spear, and with his shield on his arm awaited the onset He struck the bear fairly on the chest, but, as before, it snapped the shaft with its paw, and rising to its feet advanced.
"Kneel, my lord!" Nessus exclaimed.
Malchus dropped on one knee, bracing himself as firmly as he could against the rock, and, with his shield above his head and his sword in his hand, awaited the attack of the enraged animal.