o swerve suddenly around, and thus hurl itself and
rider into the yawning abyss below.

All this passed through Reynolds' mind with lightning rapidity, and he
realised that there was not a moment to lose. The bear was advancing
more rapidly now, and in a twinkling he might hurl his full weight of
eight hundred pounds of compact flesh, bone and muscle upon horse and
rider. But ere it could do this, Reynolds brought the rifle to his
shoulder, took a quick, steady aim, and fired. The bullet sped true
and pierced the bear's body just back of its powerful right shoulder.
The great brute stopped dead in its tracks. It swayed for an instant,
and then with a roar that drove the recoiling horse almost frantic with
terror, it leaped sideways and plunged down the precipice, carrying
with it a small avalanche of rocks, earth, and rattling stones.

Reynolds watched the bear until it had plowed its way to the ravine
below, where it remained a confused and motionless heap. Then a smile
of satisfaction over-spread his face as he lowered his rifle and lifted
his eyes to the trail above. The girl had the horse under control now,
and was urging him slowly down the narrow way. But the animal's fear
was most apparent, for he was advancing very timidly, his whole body
quivering with excitement. The fair rider, however, seemed perfectly
at ease, and not the least disturbed at what had just happened.

After she had passed the spot where the bear had first appeared, she
reined up the horse and looked across to where Reynolds was standing
watching her most intently. Waving her band in friendly salutation,
she called aloud:

"Come on over."

The young man obeyed with alacrity. He sped down the hill, leaped
across the narrow stream, and hurried up the trail. He was panting
heavily when he reached the girl's side, and the perspiration was
streaming down his face. She looked at him curiously, and her eyes
danced with merriment.

"Do you always do that?" she questioned.

"Do what?" Reynolds asked in reply.

"Hustle like that at a woman's call?"

"I never did so before, simply because I never had the chance. This is
a new experience to me."

The girl looked at him steadily for a few seconds. Then she smiled and
held out her hand.

"I wish to thank you for what you have done for me to-day," she naively
told him. "I am certain you saved my life. My, that was a great shot
you made!"

Reynolds took her hand in his, and a th