The hunter strode behind without speaking, and so I gathered
that the direction suited him. By leaning back on the rope I walked up the
slope as easily as if it were a moving stairway. Cubby pulled me up; I had
only to move my feet. When we reached a level once more I discovered that
the cub was growing stronger and wanted to go faster. We zigzagged across
the ridge to the next canyon, which at a glance I saw was deep and steep.
"Thet'll be some work goin' down that!" called Hiram. "Let me pack your
gun."
I would have been glad to give it to him, but how was I to manage? I could
not let go of the rope, and Hiram, laden as he was, could not catch up with
me. Then suddenly it was too late, for Cubby lunged forward and down.
This first downward jump was not vicious--only a playful one perhaps, by
way of initiating me; but it upset me, and I was dragged in the
pine-needles. I did not leap to my feet; I was jerked up. Then began a wild
chase down that steep, bushy slope. Cubby got going, and I could no more
have checked him than I could a steam-engine. Very soon I saw that not only
was the bear cub running away, but he was running away with me. I slid down
yellow places where the earth was exposed, I tore through thickets, I
dodged a thousand trees. In some grassy descents it was as if I had
seven-league boots.
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