TO RIO SAN PEDRO. 
363 
to pass, was about half a mile south of our camp. I 
rode in advance accompanied by several to reconnoitre, 
and followed by the pack mules. This enabled us to 
select the best route for the wagons, which brought up 
the rear. The course was very tortuous, but without 
a hill that required us to lock our wagon wheels. 
As we emerged from the mountains I rode up to 
the top of a hill with two gentlemen, in order to 
obtain a better view of the country. While seated on 
a rock enjoying the prospect before us, we were 
startled by the appearance of a huge grizzly bear, about 
fifteen rods distant, advancing in our direction. He 
discovered us at the same moment we did him, and 
seemed quite as much alarmed, for he suddenly sheered 
and made his escape at full speed along the base of the 
hill. W e ran for our arms, which we had left with our 
horses a few yards below ; but before we could get 
them he was too far off for a shot. He crossed 
directly in the rear of the train, when he made for the 
hills, followed by several of the party. Coming to a 
steep ascent, he ran up it with as much ease apparently 
as he did over level ground, and soon disappeared. 
The bear has a great advantage over his pursuers in 
this respect, as his large and pliable feet, and huge 
claws, enable him to climb up the steepest acclivity with 
the same facility as a cat. The color of this animal 
was of a silvery gray, with a darker or a black stripe 
down his back. 
On entering the plain, our course was west to the 
southern point of a short mountain range. The coun- 
try was quite rough and intersected with deep gulleys. 
On passing this mountain we descended by an easy 
