BEAR-HUNTING 



out an unsuspected notch or so. At last we were 

 over the last canon but one, and far below the spot 

 where we had last seen the bears. Still, at each 

 ridge we used caution, which was well; for finally, 

 at about half-past ten o'clock, as we reached the rim 

 of a desperate rock-rent where the white water far 

 below had left us wet to the waist, we peered over 

 and saw that our bears had changed their course, 

 and were coming almost directly down to meet us. 

 Three-quarters of a mile would put us within shot ! 

 Alas, much of that all the last half of it must 

 be directly across an open snow-field, where we must 

 be in plain sight of the game! 



The grizzly bear is a very cautious animal in 

 some ways and a very careless one in others. He 

 may stand and watch you indifferently, if he does 

 not smell you; and then, if he gets scent, he may 

 wheel and run. We waited now, desperately 

 anxious, until the wind came a trifle on the left 

 cheek. We risked the chance of the bears seeing 

 us, knowing that a grizzly has very bad eyes and 

 does not rely much upon them. We hoped only that 

 we could pass the snow-slope and get to the edge of 

 the brush strip beyond, where perhaps we would be 

 within range. 



We did reach this cover, wet now to the skin all 

 over with snow and ice water. Preferred and com- 



223 



