THE BEAR "MONARCH." 205 



ping of dry sticks indicated the approach 

 of a heavy animal through the brush, and 

 in a few moments the big grizzly came 

 into sight, walking slowly and sniffing sus 

 piciously. A smart breeze was drawing 

 down the canyon, and the bear, being to 

 the windward, could not smell the man up 

 the tree, but he approached the meat cau 

 tiously and seemed in no hurry for his sup 

 per. While he was reconnoitering another 

 animal was heard smashing through the 

 thicket, and presently the huge bulk of Six- 

 Toed Pete loomed up in the moonlight at 

 the edge of the opening. 



At the approach of the cinnamon the 

 grizzly rose upon his haunches and uttered 

 low, hoarse growls, and when the big fel 

 low appeared within twenty feet of him, 

 he launched himself forward with surpris 

 ing swiftness and struck Pete a blow on the 

 neck that staggered him. It was like one 

 of Sullivan's rushes in the ring, and the 

 blow of that ponderous paw would have 

 knocked out an ox; but Pete was no slouch 



