TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 59 



sible to rely on a steady aim. I drew a bead on the 

 swelling shoulder, just behind the blade, and phut ! 

 The bullet found its billet right enough. The great 

 creature gave a deep-toned " woof " and looked about 

 him in astonished amaze, which was an opportunity 

 not to be missed. Cecily hit him fair and square in 

 the region of the heart. 



Like a clockwork toy the bear automatically raised 

 himself on his hind feet, snorting or rather gasping 

 in little spurts of sound, and faced us gallantly, look- 

 ing for all the world like a very annoyed and irritated 

 chauffeur; with a pair of goggles the disguise would 

 have been complete. He looked so human that I felt 

 like a murderess. Standing for a second thus, the 

 massive legs gave way suddenly, and the bear dropped 

 in his tracks. Over and over the body rolled, down 

 the slope to the edge of the river; a little farther and 

 he had been in the water. On the verge he rested, 

 one forearm extended, more like a chauffeur than 

 ever. I hoped all the bears wouldn't look quite so 

 human, or I should have to leave them for more 

 game-like game. 



We got across the intervening river lower down, 

 through it somehow, afire to investigate our prize. 

 What a colossal beast, immovable in majesty ! The 

 pelt was in excellent condition, thick and even, and 

 the face bore signs of vigorous contests, one great 

 gash extending from eye to jaw. 



Cecily went back to camp, and I kept guard until 

 the men came to take over. The glamour of the scene 

 crept over me, the witching stillness lured every sense 



