io8 TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 



saw the sand fly up just beneath the bear, and he 

 passed on untouched. At her second shot the beast 

 lurched forward and almost fell, but in a moment 

 had recovered and started off again as if not badly 

 wounded. Seeing that we were likely to lose the 

 animal unless I could contribute to his discomfort, 

 I drew a bead upon him, and just as Agnes had done 

 I pulled off and shot low at my first attempt, but the 

 second bullet from my heavy '450 cordite rifle fairly 

 bowled the bear upon its side. 



By this time he had almost gained the shelter of 

 the bushes, and ere either of us could reload the 

 beast once more recovered, and though apparently 

 very sick, disappeared into the high alders. 



My disgust at seeing the huge beast disappear 

 can be better imagined than described, and although 

 I knew that he was mortally wounded there was little 

 hope of finding him if left till the morrow, because 

 a soaking rain had then set in which would probably 

 obliterate all tracks and blood trail within a few hours' 

 time. 



Turning to Agnes I said, " If you will stay here a 

 little while, I am going to try and find that bear." 



I was fully prepared for her laconic reply, " And 

 me too." 



It is characteristic of Agnes Herbert that she does 

 not waste words on such occasions as these, and 

 realizing that to argue with her under the circum- 

 stances was but a useless waste of time and breath, 

 I was at some trouble to make up my mind as to 

 what was the right course to follow, knowing full 



