38 BEAKS. 



William Cannon, who had been a soldier at one of the 

 frontier posts. 



" He was an inexperienced hunter and a poor shot, 

 for which he was much bantered by his more adroit com- 

 rades. Piqued at their raillery, he had been practising 

 ever since he joined the expedition, but without success. 

 One afternoon he went out alone, and, to his great joy, 

 he had the good fortune to kill a buffalo. Being at a 

 considerable distance from the camp, he cut out the 

 tongue and some of the choice bits, made a packet 

 of them, and slinging it on his shoulders by a 

 strap passed round his forehead, as travellers carry 

 packets of merchandise, he directed his steps all 

 glorious for the camp. 



" In passing through a narrow ravine he heard foot- 

 steps behind him. He looked round, and saw to his 

 great terror that he was followed by a grizzly bear, 

 apparently attracted by the smell of the meat. Cannon 

 had heard so much of the invulnerability of this tre- 

 mendous animal, that he not only did not attempt to 

 fire at him, but, slipping the strap from his forehead, 

 let go the buffalo-meat and ran for his life. The bear, 

 without stopping for the game, pursued the hunter. 

 He had nearly overtaken him, when Cannon reached a 

 tree, and scrambled up it, throwing down his rifle. 



" An instant after, bruin was at the foot of the tree ; 

 but as this kind of bear does not climb, he contented 



