the on-coming grizzly. At any instant the horse might disregard the
guiding hand as well as the friendly words of encouragement, and in mad
terror attempt to 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: