TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 57 



laced willows. Tracking back to the river we dis- 

 covered that on the banks the most succulent grass 

 grew, one side being tinted emerald by the slender 

 spears. It was quite late afternoon when we came on 

 our great find, and although we lay in ambush until 

 the twilight fell nothing happened, and the real cam- 

 paign had to be put off until the morrow. 



We rose with the day, for bears come out early and 

 late as a rule, and we breakfasted in excited haste, 

 saw to our rifles, and warned both our men not to go 

 near the bit of river we meant to watch all day if 

 needful. They looked at us in ill-disguised amuse- 

 ment, and crouched over the embers of the fire again. 



Cecily and I hurried to the bear track, and en- 

 trenched ourselves on the other side of the river, in a 

 vantage ground of alders, directly opposite the begin- 

 ning of the path, thereby enfilading the whole posi- 

 tion. We were some eighty yards from the place 

 where our quarry should, if he had any consideration 

 at all, emerge. For the time being the wind was 

 propitious, but there is absolutely no reliance to be 

 placed on Alaskan winds. It is never in the same 

 mood for two hours together. 



Cecily lay flat, in excellent position, and I sat, Joss- 

 like, in cramped uncomfortable attitude, for the cover 

 was so sparse there was not sufficient of it to go 

 round, and there was no room to spare. The forest 

 growth was much denser opposite us, up above the 

 grass-covered slopes. We should not be likely to get a 

 good glimpse of Bruin until he was right on us, even 

 if he came. Oh, but he must come ! He surely must ! 



