So it was with this one.

She saw whence the shot came; and, as soon as she had given her head a few shakes, she came in a shuffling gallop towards the boys.
Basil now saw how rashly he had acted, but there was no time for expressing regrets.

There was not even time for them to get to their horses.

Before they could reach these and draw the pickets, the bear would overtake them.

Some one of them would become a victim.
"Take to the trees!" shouted Lucien; "if it be a grizzly bear, she cannot climb." As Lucien said this, he levelled his short rifle and fired at the advancing animal.