THE BEAR “MONARCH.” 205

ping of dry sticks indicated the approach
of a heavy animal through the brush, and
in a few moments the big grizzly came
into sight, walking slowly and sniffing sus-
piciously. A smart breeze was drawing
down the canyon, and the bear, being to
the windward, could not smell the man up
the tree, but he approached the meat cau-
tiously and seemed in no hurry for his sup-
per. While he was reconnoitering another
animal was heard smashing through the
thicket, and presently the huge bulk of Six-
Toed Pete loomed up in the moonlight at
the edge of the opening.

At the approach of the cinnamon the
grizzly rose upon his haunches and uttered
low, hoarse growls, and when the big fel-
low appeared within twenty feet of him,
he launched himself forward with surpris-
ing swiftness and struck Pete a blow on the
neck that staggered him. It was like one
of Sullivan’s rushes in the ring, and the
blow of that ponderous paw would have
knocked out an ox; but Pete was no slouch