The sun was just sinking below the horizon, and the
scene was one of gorgeous and sylvan beauty. "How beautiful is
Nature!" murmured the innocent girl, as, reclining gracefully
against the root of the tree, she gathered up her skirts and tied a
handkerchief around her throat. But a low growl interrupted her
meditation. Starting to her feet, her eyes met a sight which froze
her blood with terror.
The only outlet to the forest was the narrow path, barely wide
enough for a single person, hemmed in by trees and rocks, which she
had just traversed. Down this path, in Indian file, came a
monstrous grizzly, closely followed by a California lion, a wild-
cat, and a buffalo, the rear being brought up by a wild Spanish
bull. The mouths of the three first animals were distended with
frightful significance; the horns of the last were lowered as
ominously. As Genevra was preparing to faint, she heard a low
voice behind her.
"Eternally dog-gone my skin ef this ain't the puttiest chance yet."
At the same moment, a long, shining barrel dropped lightly from
behind her, and rested over her shoulder.
Genevra shuddered.
"Dern ye--don't move!"
Genevra became motionless.
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