Jack did as requested, and saw to what his comrade referred. Perched on the highest portion was an immense gray-headed eagle. Sailing thither from the depths of space, he had paused for a while, with the grand view spread out before him, and what a view it must have been! It was easy to identify the bird with the aid of their glasses, which were kept pointed for some time at him. "I wonder whether he sees us?" said Fred. "There can be no doubt of it, for their eyes detect the smallest object on a landscape. He is probably studying us with as much interest as we are watching him." "Our rifles couldn't carry a ball half-way to him." "And what if they could? Would you wish to harm the emblem of our country?" "No; unless he attacked us, which I don't think is likely. Halloo!" Just then the immense bird spread his wings and began skimming through the air with majestic grace. More than that, he was coming in the direction of the boys. "I believe he means to make a meal off of us!" exclaimed Fred; "we would better be ready for him." "There's nothing to be frightened at. If he intends to attack us we have only to wait until he is near, when we can puncture him." If the king of birds held any such intention he changed his mind. Swooping far across the intervening space, seemingly aiming straight at them, he suddenly changed his course, and, ascending high in the sky, swept around in a wide circle and finally disappeared over the peak where first seen. The boys sat for a while in silence, gazing away in the distance, where the noble bird had vanished, half-expecting it to reappear and probably press its attack; but it had taken its flight for good and was seen no more. "I wonder whether we would have done any better if we had brought a dog with us?" said Jack, beginning to feel a trifle discouraged over their failure to secure a shot at any game. "I proposed bringing my dog, you remember, when we left home, but you thought we could do better out here. Hank and the rest of them don't seem to place much value on the animals in hunting. Did you hear that?" From some point not very far off came the report of a rifle, though whether it was the weapon of Hank Hazletine or one of the Indians that had been discharged, neither could guess. "Somebody else is in luck, and I don't see why we should not----" Before Fred could finish his sentence both heard the rustling of bushes behind them. They turned on the instant, and saw a sight which held them transfixed, for never had they expected to view anything of the kind. They had read and heard much of grizzly bears. They knew they grew to an enormous size, and are the most formidable animals found in the great West, but had they been told that there were such monsters as the one before them they could not have believed it had it been related by Hazletine himself.