LET US GO AFIELD 



more we were sidetracked by a deep-gashed canon 

 which rent the rough country for a mile. Beyond 

 it was open ground with no cover, where the wind 

 would go straight to our game ; so we dared not try 

 the approach there. We swung down the canon, 

 hoping to get below the game, which might take a 

 notion to leave at any moment; but the further we 

 hurried the worse matters became, for the canon 

 widened and deepened. 



At last we pulled up on the high edge opposite 

 the bears, once more, twice as far as one shoots at 

 big game, and once more confronted with the alter- 

 native of taking a long shot or none at all. If we 

 went lower down the steeps we should lose sight 

 of our game at the first jump. Here, although it 

 was hardly a sporting shot, we were high enough 

 to command a view for some distance. Moreover, 

 though I could not at that range pick a vital spot 

 with certainty, I was confident I could disable the 

 bear and perhaps kill it outright. In hunting stories 

 you read about shooting a bear in the eye, or the 

 heart, or other assorted spots. It is a mighty good 

 rule to shoot it just where you can. Waiting for 

 better breath, I presently fired ; and down she went 

 indeed, almost into the canon, the shot having come 

 surprisingly close to the backbone, as we later 

 learned. But like a flash she was up again and into 



232 



