It was the scream of a woman in mortal terror.
I shouldered, my rifle and turned in the direction from which the sounds proceeded.
Descending a steep cliff, I found myself in a narrow canon through which a mountain stream, swollen by the melting snow, rushed with considerable rapidity.

The first object that caught my eye was a woman carrying a child and struggling through the foaming torrent.

Then I observed, some little distance to the rear, but following with incredible rapidity, an enormous black bear.

He measured at least nine feet from his nose to the tip of his tail, and was broad in proportion.

Though of enormous size, he progressed at a speed which was surprising.