You're a d--d smart man for a sheriff, ain't you ?" The man uttered an exclamation and spurred his horse forward, but the animal reared in terror.

He then sprang to the ground and approached the tree.

The shape lay there, a scarcely distinguishable bulk.
"A grizzly, by the living Jingo! Shot through the heart." It was true.

The strange shape lit up by the flaring torches seemed more vague, unearthly, and awkward in its dying throes, yet the small shut eyes, the feeble nose, the ponderous shoulders, and half-human foot armed with powerful claws were unmistakable.

The men turned by a common impulse and peered into the remote recesses of the wood again.
"Hi, Mister! come and pick up your game.