Stupidly, being taken by surprise,
and being new at it, I fired at once at its head. The bear gave
a spring, and then--it seemed instantaneous--down it came at
me. Whether it rolled down, or slipped down, or ran down, I don't
know, but it came almost as if it had jumped straight at me.
"'My gun, Rahman,' I shouted, holding out my hand. There was no
answer. I glanced round and found that the scoundrel had bolted.
I had time, and only just time, to take a step backwards, and to
club my rifle, when the brute was upon me. I got one fair blow at
the side of its head, a blow that would have smashed the skull of
any civilized beast into pieces, and which did fortunately break the
brute's jaw; then in an instant he was upon me, and I was fighting
for life. My hunting knife was out, and with my left hand I had the
beast by the throat; while with my right I tried to drive my knife
into its ribs. My bullet had gone through his chest. The impetus
of his charge bad knocked me over, and we rolled on the ground,
he tearing with his claws at my shoulder and arm, I stabbing and
struggling; my great effort being to keep my knees up so as to
protect my body with them from his bind claws. After the first blow
with his paw which laid my shoulder open, I do not think I felt any
special pain whatever.
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