The dogs gave chase, and so did we.  Bruin had but a short start; and although he must have been well acquainted with the locality, we, scorning all impediments, soon overtook him--the dogs having already commenced biting at his hind feet.  This was too much for his equanimity, so, suddenly turning round, he struck two or three of them with his fore paws, sending them sprawling to a distance.  As he did so the glare of our torches dazzled his eyes, and so perplexed him that he seemed not to know what to do.  Of one thing only he must have been convinced,--that he was in for a fight; and, brave bear as he was, he sat up on his hind legs and prepared to receive us.