THE BEAR “MONARCH.” 201

so avoid an experience like Dad Coff-
man’s.

The precaution was well taken. While
he was arranging the bait he heard snuf-
fling and the movement of some animal
outside. Supposing that some cow or per-
haps the burro was wandering about, he
paid no particular attention to the noise,
but when the bait was arranged and he
turned to go out he saw the muzzle of old
bruin poked into the door and his eyes
blinking curiously at the dark interior of
the trap. Bruin had come down for a feast

and had followed the trail of the steer’s .

remains with unexpected promptness. He
had scented the honey, which was more
alluring than stale beef, and evidently was
considering the propriety of entering the -
trap to get his supper, which might con-
sist of honeycomb au naturel, with Exam-
iner man on the side.

The man in the trap deemed it highly
improper for the bear to intrude at that
time, and quickly decided the etiquette of