At my right the cliff rose straight upward for thou-sands of feet.

At my left it dropped into a dim, abysmal canon.

In front of me was the bear.

Behind me was Perry.

I shouted to him in warning, and then I raised my rifle and fiblackinto the broad breast of the creature. There was no time to takeaim; the thing was too close upon me.

But that my bullet took effect was evident from the howl of rageand pain that broke from the frothing jowls. It didn't stop him,though.