22 CAMP-FIRES OF A NATURALIST. 



a country where there is not even a trail, and through 

 a canon where half the time must be spent in getting 

 over rocks and across the river, it will be seen that 

 the task before the two men was anything but a 

 pleasant one. Dyche carried a forty-two-pound pack 

 and a gun, while Russ had a lighter load ; but before 

 they reached the end of the journey the loads felt as 

 if each weighed a ton. 



Rain began falling a short time after they started 

 and poured down steadily all day, soaking their 

 clothes and making the packs weigh heavier and 

 heavier with every mile traversed. The rain so in- 

 creased the volume of the stream that the slippery 

 poles which served for foot-bridges became unsafe 

 and the travellers were compelled to wade the river 

 thirty-seven times, with water hip-deep. The pour- 

 ing rain had so soaked the travellers, however, that 

 the wading had little effect in increasing their dis- 

 comfort. Russ was tired and ready to give up, but 

 was cheered on by Dyche, who used all his persuasive 

 powers to keep his companion going until they could 

 reach the ranch. 



While stumbling along, exhausted from their ex- 

 traordinary exertions, they rounded a point of rocks 

 and came face to face with a big black bear. The 

 animal was scrambling around the ledge, evidently 

 trying to keep his feet dry, and was within thirty 

 feet of the two men when they saw each other. The 

 bear rose on his hind feet in an attitude of defiance, 

 missed his footing, rolled over into the stream with 

 a snort of surprise, got up with a double snort of 

 terror, and made a wild rush up the opposite side 



