frightful significance; the horns of the last were lowered as
ominously. As Genevra was preparing to faint, she heard a low
voice behind her.

"Eternally dog-gone my skin ef this ain't the puttiest chance yet."

At the same moment, a long, shining barrel dropped lightly from
behind her, and rested over her shoulder.

Genevra shuddered.

"Dern ye--don't move!"

Genevra became motionless.

The crack of a rifle rang through the woods. Three frightful yells
were heard, and two sullen roars. Five animals bounded into the
air and five lifeless bodies lay upon the plain. The well-aimed
bullet had done its work. Entering the open throat of the grizzly,
it had traversed his body only to enter the throat of the
California lion, and in like manner the catamount, until it passed
through into the respective foreheads of the bull and the buffalo,
and finally fell flattened from the rocky hillside.

Genevra turned quickly. "My preserver!" she shrieked, and fell
into the arms of Natty Bumpo, the celebrated Pike Ranger of Donner
Lake.


CHAPTER V.