His brothers, seeing him do so, followed his example--Francois emptying both barrels that had been loaded with buck-shot.

One of the bears--the cub it was--tumbled back down the ravine but after the volley the largest of all was seen clambering up, growling fiercely as he came.

The hunters, not having time to reload, ran off over the table--scarcely knowing what direction to take.
When they had got half-way across it, all three stopped and looked back.
The foremost bear was just rising above the cliff; and the next moment his long body was stretched out in pursuit of them.

They had been in hopes that the pieces of meat might have attracted his attention, and drawn him aside.

This did not happen.