40 
THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. 
broken twig, or a red mass of crumbling wood where 
Robert had placed an incautious foot. 
Arriving at the bear path, he did not hesitate a moment, 
but followed it with a swift, shambling gait like the awk- 
ward trot of the animals who had trodden down the path 
for him. 
When he perceived the big track in the mud, he started, 
paused, and examined it carefully ; then felt of the 
handle of his long knife — he had brought no other 
weapon — and kept on as before. 
If you had been watching him, a few minutes later, you 
would have seen him suddenly come to a standstill, listen 
eagerly, and then creep forward on hands and knees. 
Presently he dropped flat on the ground, and began 
wriggling forward as silently as a snake, but more 
slowly. 
From his perch, Eobert caught sight of a dark figure 
crouching on the moss, a hundred feet away, to the lee- 
ward. At first he turned sick with fear, thinking it was 
a puma, making ready for a spring. Then he recognized 
with delight the homely features of his guide. 
The besieger just then was wandering moodily about, 
at about the same distance the other side of the tree, his 
attention being distracted by a swarm of mosquitoes who 
kept him stamping and licking furiously. It was evident 
that he had not the least idea of the Indian's presence. 
The latter wriggled nearer the tree, nearer, — until he 
could lay his hand on the repeating rifle. 
