an end to his agony, sent a
bullet through his heart. The shot did not alter his position--as the
horn still held on to the branch--but the animal ceased struggling and
hung down dead,--to remain there, doubtless, until some hungry vulture
should espy him from afar, and, swooping down, strip the flesh from his
swinging carcass!

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

BESIEGED BY GRIZZLY BEARS.

The young hunters now laid aside their guns, drew their knives, and
skinned the cimmarons with the dexterity of practised "killers." They
then cut up the meat, so as the more conveniently to transport it to
their camp. The skins they did not care for; so these were suffered to
remain on the ground where they had been thrown.

As soon as the "mutton" was quartered, each shouldered a piece, and
commenced carrying it toward the ravine, intending to return and bring
the rest at another load or two. On reaching the point where the path
came up on the table, they saw that it would be difficult for them to
descend with their burdens--as it is more easy to climb a precipice than
to get down one. Another plan suggested itself; and that was, to pitch
the pieces down before them to the bottom of the ravine. This they
could accomplish without difficulty. It would do the meat no harm--as
they intended to cut it up for jerking--and they could easily wash out
the dirt and gravel at the spring, when they had got it all there.

This plan was at once adopted; and, taking up piece by piece they flung
them down the chasm, and could see them lying among the rocks at the
bottom. They then went back to the carcasses, took up fresh loads, and
returned with them to the ravine.

As they stepped forward to fling them over, a sight met their eyes that
caused each one to drop his load upon the spot. Down near the bottom of
the ravine, and moving among the pieces of meat, was a hideous object--a
huge and ill-shaped animal. Its great size--its long shaggy hair and
greyish brown colour--but, above all, its fierce aspect, left no doubt
upon the minds of our hunters as to what sort of animal it was. There
was no mistaking the dreaded monster of the mountains--the _grizzly
bear_!

It was nearly twice the size of the common bear; and it differed from
the latter in other respects. Its ears were more erect; its eyes, of
burnt sienna colour, looked more fiery and glaring; its head and muzzle
were broader--giving it an appearance of greater boldness and strength