away in the vast wilderness of the Rocky Mountains. A roving
disposition, combined with a love of sport, and a desire to put on
canvas some record of the wonderful scenery of the locality, had guided
my steps to this out-of-the-world spot.

One morning when the winter was beginning to break, and the snow to show
signs of disappearing--sure evidence that the severe weather was passing
away--I slung my cloak and a bag of provisions across my shoulders,
seized my rifle, and set forth on a solitary stroll. I had gone some
considerable distance from the camp when a sudden darkening of the sky
told me only too plainly of an approaching storm. Fearful of being
caught in the downpour, I began to retrace my steps.

Scarcely had I commenced my homeward journey when a sudden cry caused me
to come to an abrupt standstill. A few moments of intense stillness
followed. I listened attentively, surveying the surrounding landscape
on all sides with the close scrutiny of an experienced hunter, who had
enjoyed many a lesson from the Indians. The piled-up rocks, scanty
herbage, leafless and motionless trees gave no sign of life. No sound
broke the intense solitude. Then, with startling suddenness, another
cry, louder and more agonising than the former, echoed across the waste,
and this was followed by a deep significant growl.

I knew at once that the voice was that of a human being, and I knew
equally well that the growl proceeded from a bear. I had heard that a
big "grizzly" had been seen in the neighbourhood, and that a party had
been organised to track him to his lair, but had failed to come to close
quarters with the wily old fellow.

As these thoughts shaped themselves in my mind there came a shrill and
piercing shriek which set every nerve in my body tingling. It was the
scream of a woman in mortal terror.

I shouldered, my rifle and turned in the direction from which the sounds
proceeded.

Descending a steep cliff, I found myself in a narrow canon through which
a mountain stream, swollen by the melting snow, rushed with considerable
rapidity. The first object that caught my eye was a woman carrying a
child and struggling through the foaming torrent. Then I observed, some
little distance to the rear, but following with incredible rapidity, an
enormous black bear. He measured at least nine feet from his nose to
the tip of his tail, and was broad in proportion. Though of enormous
size, he progressed at a speed which