From this time on for weeks the flock would be besieged by wolves, lions, bears, the last of which were often bold and dangerous.

The old grizzlies that killed the ewes to eat only the milk-bags were particularly dreaded by Ellen.

She was a good shot with a rifle, but had orders from her father to let the bears alone.
Fortunately, such sheep-killing bears were but few, and were left to be hunted by men from the ranch.

Mexican sheep herders could not be depended upon to protect their flocks from bears.

Ellen helped Pepe drive in the stragglers, and she took several shots at coyotes skulking along the edge of the brush.