The branch upon which he was, bending down under his weight, so widened the distance between it and the one above, that he could not reach the latter, even with the tips of his fingers.

He turned to go back.

To his horror the bear was at the other end in the fork, and _preparing to follow him along the limb_! He could not go back without meeting the fierce brute in the teeth.
There was no branch below within his reach, and none above, and he was fifty feet from the ground.

To leap down appeared the only alternative to escape the clutches of the bear, and that alternative was certain death! The bear advanced along the limb.

Francois and Lucien screamed below, loading their pieces as rapidly as they could; but they feared they would be too late.
It was a terrible situation; but it was in such emergencies that the strong mind of Basil best displayed itself; and, instead of yielding to despair, he appeared cool and collected.