The enthusiastic style in which the bears entered into the proceedings proved they did not mean that any trifles should stop them.

They were able to climb the tree which supported Carson, and he did not lose sight of the fact.

Whipping out his hunting knife, he hurriedly cut off a short thick branch and trimmed it into a shape that would have made a most excellent shillelagh for a native of the Green Isle.
He had hardly done so, when the heads of the bruins were thrust upward almost against his feet.

Carson grasped the club with both hands and raising it above his shoulders brought it down with all his might upon the nose of the foremost.

The brute sniffed with pain, threw up his head and drew back a few inches--just enough to place the other nose in front.