Without thinking that they had nothing to defend themselves with , should the bear turn and attack them , the boys gave chase . The bear , who knew quite well that he could not be shot , sometimes slackened his pace and let the dogs get quite close ; and in this way the elder son reached the mountain without observing it , while his brother , who had hurt his foot , was still far behind . As he ran up , the mountain opened to admit the bear , and the boy , who was close on his heels , rushed in after him , and did not know where he was till he saw bears sitting on every side of him , holding a council . The animal he had been chasing sank panting in their midst , and the boy , very much frightened , stood still , letting his bow fall to the ground . ` Why are you trying to kill all my servants ? ' asked the chief . ` Look round and see their shades , with arrows sticking in them . It was I who told the bear to-day how he was to lure you into my power . I shall take care that you shall not hurt my people any more , because you will become a bear yourself . ' At this moment the second brother came up -- for the mountain had been left open on purpose to tempt him also -- and cried out breathlessly : ` Do n't you see that the bear is lying close to you ? Why do n't you shoot him ? ' And , without waiting for a reply , pressed forward to drive his arrow into the heart of the bear . But the elder one caught his raised arm , and whispered : ` Be quiet ! ca n't you tell where you are ? ' Then the boy looked up and saw the angry bears about him . On the one side were the servants of the chief , and on the other the servants of the chief 's sister , who was sorry for the two youths , and begged that their lives might be spared . The chief answered that he would not kill them , but only cast a spell over them , by which their heads and bodies should remain as they were , but their arms and legs should change into those of a bear , so that they would go on all fours for the rest of their lives . And , stooping over a spring of water , he dipped a handful of moss in it and rubbed it over the arms and legs of the boys . In an instant the transformation took place , and two creatures , neither beast nor human stood before the chief . Now the bear chief of course knew that the boys ' father would seek for his sons when they did not return home , so he sent another of his servants to the hiding-place at the fork of the trail to see what would happen .
He had not waited long , when the father came in sight , XXXXX as he went to look for his sons ' tracks in the snow .
become cast defend dipped knew observing reached stooping told whispered