142 PKAIKIE AND FOKEST. 



at my call with the confidence of children in their parent ; 

 fie upon me ! why should I permit such a thought for an 

 instant to hover through my brain ? 



I had got sufficiently close to my sleeping-place to 

 perceive the white smoke circling from the gradually ex- 

 piring fire, when again I came across the grizzly's track, 

 and so fresh that I felt sure its maker had been at the camp 

 during my absence. In a moment I came to a resolution, 

 the intruder must pay the penalty of his rashness or I 

 perish in the attempt. 



What would that matter, only one more unknown to be 

 added to the thousands whose eyes have closed in unknown 

 lands, although their mothers pray unceasingly for them, 

 and day by day look for their return. 



Reaching the camp I found my conjectures had been 

 correct : the bear had been there during my absence, turned 

 over the pack and tried the flavour of both flaps and 

 stirrup leathers of my saddle. To obtain water to wash my 

 gun out with, I melted a quantity of snow in my solitary 

 cooking dish ; for the foe I was about to encounter I was 

 well aware would fight me with tooth and claw till death 

 separated us, and on a miss or hang fire depended my life. 



I cannot say I liked my task. I was not strong or well 

 enough to court such an encounter, and several times I 

 thought, as I followed the tell-tale impressions in the snow, 

 how much rather I would prefer it to be a deer. However, 

 it appeared to me to be kismit, destiny, or aught else you 

 choose to call it, that I should meet the grim giant of the 

 forest in deadly strife. 



About a mile and a half from home so camp is ever 



