"Throw the noose on him now--anywhere," ordered the hunter. "An' we've no
time to lose. He's gittin' sassier every minnit."
I dropped the wide loop upon Cubby, expecting to catch him first time. The
rope went over his bead, but with a dexterous flip of his paw he sent it
flying. Then began a duel between us, in which he continually got the
better of me. All the while the old hunter prodded Cubby from below.
"You ain't quick enough," said Hiram, impatiently.
Made reckless by this, I stepped down to another branch directly over the
bear, and tried again to rope him. It was of no use. He slipped out of the
noose with the sinuous movements of an eel. Once it caught over his ears
and in his open jaws. He gave a jerk that nearly pulled me from my perch. I
could tell he was growing angrier every instant, and also braver. Suddenly
the noose, quite by accident, caught his nose. He wagged his head and I
pulled. The noose tightened.
"I've got him!" I yelled, and gave the rope a strong pull.
The bear stood up with startling suddenness and reached for me.
"Climb!" shouted Hiram,
I dropped the rope and leaped for the branch above, and, catching it,
lifted myself just as the sharp claws of the cub scratched hard over my
boot.
Cubby now hugged the tree trunk and started up again.
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