NORTH FORK TO THE SELWYN ROCKIES 103 



several hundred feet wide, extended down to the river. 

 Selous started upward in a circle, and soon we saw him 

 climbing the ridge in. one of the clearings, where there 

 was but one strip of timber between him and the bear, 

 which continued to feed, gradually approaching the tim- 

 ber. Having marked well the spot where he had last 

 seen the bear, he arrived at a point exactly opposite it 

 and started directly toward the timber. His approach 

 was then against the wind and he cautiously and slowly 

 went forward. Through my glasses, I could plainly see 

 the bear as it approached the woods, directly in line with 

 Selous's advance, its glossy black coat reflecting the sun- 

 light, which at times caused it to appear very large. 

 Both Selous and the bear entered the timber at the same 

 time, apparently approaching directly toward each other, 

 and momentarily I expected to hear a shot. Soon we 

 saw Selous emerge a little above where the bear had 

 entered, and proceed with caution, carefully looking 

 about. We knew that he had not seen the bear. After- 

 ward, I learned that the timber was filled with small 

 spruces, alders, and dwarf birch, so he could see only 

 a few feet in any direction. But he must have gone 

 through noiselessly and with skill, passing the bear within 

 a hundred feet or so, for shortly after he appeared, the 

 bear came out a little below the point where Selous had 

 entered the timber, and continued travelling in the oppo- 

 site direction, still feeding, and wholly unconscious of its 

 lucky escape. It fed along indifferently until it reached 

 the trail which Selous had made when ascending. Then 

 it suddenly threw up its head, gave a great jump, and 



