It would do the meat no harm--as they intended to cut it up for jerking--and they could easily wash out the dirt and gravel at the spring, when they had got it all there.
This plan was at once adopted; and, taking up piece by piece they flung them down the chasm, and could see them lying among the rocks at the bottom.

They then went back to the carcasses, took up fresh loads, and returned with them to the ravine.
As they stepped forward to fling them over, a sight met their eyes that caused each one to drop his load upon the spot.

Down near the bottom of the ravine, and moving among the pieces of meat, was a hideous object--a huge and ill-shaped animal.

Its great size--its long shaggy hair and greyish brown colour--but, above all, its fierce aspect, left no doubt upon the minds of our hunters as to what sort of animal it was.

There was no mistaking the dreaded monster of the mountains--the _grizzly bear_! It was nearly twice the size of the common bear; and it differed from the latter in other respects.