Acoupleofdrab-coloredwhisky-jacks，withboldmienandfearlessbrighteyes，hoppedandflutteredround，pickingupthescraps，andutteringanextraordinaryvarietyofnotes，mostlydiscordant；sotameweretheythatoneofthemlitonmyoutstretchedarmasIhalfdozed，baskinginthesunshine。

Whentheshadowsbegantolengthen，Ishoulderedmyrifleandplungedintothewoods。Atfirstmyroutelayalongamountainside；thenforhalfamileoverawindfall，thedeadtimberpiledaboutincrazyconfusion。AfterthatIwentupthebottomofavalleybyalittlebrook，thegroundbeingcarpetedwithaspongeofsoakedmoss。Attheheadofthisbrookwasapondcoveredwithwater-lilies；andascramblethrougharockypasstookmeintoahigh，wetvalley，wherethethickgrowthofsprucewasbrokenbyoccasionalstripsofmeadow。

Inthisvalleythemoosecarcasslay，wellattheupperend。

InmoccasinedfeetItrodsoftlythroughthesoundlesswoods。Underthedarkbranchesitwasalreadydusk，andtheairhadthecoolchillofevening。AsInearedtheclumpwherethebodylay，Iwalkedwithredoubledcaution，watchingandlisteningwithstrainedalertness。

ThenIheardatwigsnap；andmybloodleaped，forIknewthebearwasathissupper。InanothermomentIsawhisshaggy，brownform。Hewasworkingwithallhisawkwardgiantstrength，tryingtoburythecarcass，twistingittoonesideandtheotherwithwonderfulease。

Oncehegotangryandsuddenlygaveitatremendouscuffwithhispaw；

inhisbearinghehadsomethinghalfhumorous，halfdevilish。Icreptupwithinfortyyards；butforseveralminuteshewouldnotkeephisheadstill。Thensomethingattractedhisattentionintheforest，andhestoodmotionlesslookingtowardsit，broadsidetome，withhisfore-pawsplantedonthecarcass。Thisgavememychance。Idrewaveryfinebeadbetweenhiseyeandear；andpulledtrigger。Hedroppedlikeasteerwhenstruckwithapole-axe。

Ifthereisagoodhiding-placehandyitisbettertolieinwaitatthecarcass。Onedayonthehead-watersoftheMadison，IfoundthatabearwascomingtoanelkIhadshotsomedaysbefore；andIatoncedeterminedtoambushthebeastwhenhecamebackthatevening。Thecarcasslayinthemiddleofavalleyaquarterofamilebroad。Thebottomofthisvalleywascoveredbyanopenforestoftallpines；athickjungleofsmallerevergreensmarkedwherethemountainsroseoneitherhand。Therewereanumberoflargerocksscatteredhereandthere，one，ofveryconvenientshape，beingonlysomeseventyoreightyyardsfromthecarcass。UpthisIclambered。Ithidmeperfectly，andonitstopwasacarpetofsoftpineneedles，onwhichIcouldlieatmyease。

Hourafterhourpassedby。Alittleblackwoodpeckerwithayellowcrestrannimblyupanddownthetree-trunksforsometimeandthenflittedawaywithapartyofchickadeesandnut-hatches。OccasionallyaClarke’scrowsoaredaboutoverheadorclunginanypositiontotheswayingendofapinebranch，chatteringandscreaming。Flocksofcross-bills，withwavyflightandplaintivecalls，flewtoasmallminerallicknearby，wheretheyscrapedtheclaywiththeirqueerlittlebeaks。

Asthewesteringsunsankoutofsightbeyondthemountainsthesesoundsofbird-lifegraduallydiedaway。Underthegreatpinestheeveningwasstillwiththesilenceofprimevaldesolation。Thesenseofsadnessandloneliness，themelancholyofthewilderness，cameovermelikeaspell。EveryslightnoisemademypulsesthrobasIlaymotionlessontherockgazingintentlyintothegatheringgloom。I

begantofearthatitwouldgrowtoodarktoshootbeforethegrislycame。

Suddenlyandwithoutwarning，thegreatbearsteppedoutofthebushesandtrodacrossthepineneedleswithsuchswiftandsilentfootstepsthatitsbulkseemedunreal。Itwasverycautious，continuallyhaltingtopeeraround；andonceitstooduponitshindlegsandlookedlongdownthevalleytowardstheredwest。AsitreachedthecarcassIputabulletbetweenitsshoulders。Itrolledover，whilethewoodsresoundedwithitssavageroaring。Immediatelyitstruggledtoitsfeetandstaggeredoff；andfellagaintothenextshot，squallingandyelling。Twicethiswasrepeated；thebrutebeingoneofthosebearswhichgreeteverywoundwithagreatoutcry，andsometimesseemtolosetheirfeetwhenhit——althoughtheywilloccasionallyfightassavagelyastheirmoresilentbrethren。Inthiscasethewoundsweremortal，andthebeardiedbeforereachingtheedgeofthethicket。

Ispentmuchofthefallof1889huntingonthehead-watersoftheSalmonandSnakeinIdaho，andalongtheMontanaboundarylinefromtheBigHoleBasinandtheheadoftheWisdomRivertotheneighborhoodofRedRockPassandtothenorthandwestofHenry’sLake。Duringthelastfortnightmycompanionwastheoldmountainman，alreadymentioned，namedGriffethorGriffin——Icannottellwhich，ashewasalwayscalledeither"Hank"or"Griff。"Hewasacrabbedlyhonestoldfellow，andaveryskilfulhunter；buthewaswornoutwithageandrheumatism，andhistemperhadfailedevenfasterthanhisbodilystrength。HeshowedmeagreatervarietyofgamethanIhadeverseenbeforeinsoshortatime；nordidIeverbeforeoraftermakesosuccessfulahunt。Buthewasanexceedinglydisagreeablecompaniononaccountofhissurly，moodyways。Igenerallyhadtogetupfirst，tokindlethefireandmakereadybreakfast，andhewasveryquarrelsome。Finally，duringmyabsencefromcamponeday，whilenotveryfarfromRedRockpass，hefoundmywhisky-flask，whichIkeptpurelyforemergencies，anddrankallthecontents。WhenIcamebackhewasquitedrunk。Thiswasunbearable，andaftersomehighwordsI

lefthim，andstruckoffhomewardthroughthewoodsonmyownaccount。

Wehadwithusfourpackandsaddlehorses；andoftheseItookaveryintelligentandgentlelittlebroncomare，whichpossessedtheinvaluabletraitofalwaysstayingnearcamp，evenwhennothobbled。I

wasnothamperedwithmuchofanoutfit，havingonlymybuffalosleeping-bag，afurcoat，andmywashingkit，withacoupleofsparepairsofsocksandsomehandkerchiefs。Afrying-pan，somesaltpork，andahatchet，madeupalightpack，which，withthebedding，I

fastenedacrossthestocksaddlebymeansofaropeandasparepackingcinch。Mycartridgesandknifewereinmybelt；mycompassandmatches，asalways，inmypocket。Iwalked，whilethelittlemarefollowedalmostlikeadog，oftenwithoutmyhavingtoholdthelariatwhichservedashalter。

Thecountrywasforthemostpartfairlyopen，asIkeptnearthefoot-hillswheregladesandlittleprairiesbrokethepineforest。Thetreeswereofsmallsize。Therewasnoregulartrail，butthecoursewaseasytokeep，andIhadnotroubleofanykindsaveonthesecondday。ThatafternoonIwasfollowingastreamwhichatlast"canyonedup，"thatissanktothebottomofacanyon-likeravineimpossibleforahorse。Istartedupasidevalley，intendingtocrossfromitsheadcouliestothoseofanothervalleywhichwouldleadinbelowthecanyon。

However，Igotenmeshedinthetangleofwindingvalleysatthefootofthesteepmountains，andasduskwascomingonIhaltedandcampedinalittleopenspotbythesideofasmall，noisybrook，withcrystalwater。Theplacewascarpetedwithsoft，wet，greenmoss，dottedredwiththekinnikinnicberries，andatitsedge，underthetreeswherethegroundwasdry，Ithrewdownthebuffalobedonamatofsweet-smellingpineneedles。Makingcamptookbutamoment。I

openedthepack，tossedthebeddingonasmoothspot，knee-halteredthelittlemare，draggedupafewdrylogs，andthenstrolledoff，rifleonshoulder，throughthefrostygloaming，toseeifIcouldpickupagrouseforsupper。

ForhalfamileIwalkedquicklyandsilentlyoverthepineneedles，acrossasuccessionofslightridgesseparatedbynarrow，shallowvalleys。Theforestherewascomposedoflodge-polepines，whichontheridgesgrewclosetogether，withtallslendertrunks，whileinthevalleysthegrowthwasmoreopen。Thoughthesunwasbehindthemountainstherewasyetplentyoflightbywhichtoshoot，butitwasfadingrapidly。

Atlast，asIwasthinkingofturningtowardscamp，Istoleuptothecrestofoneoftheridges，andlookedoverintothevalleysomesixtyyardsoff。ImmediatelyIcaughttheloomofsomelarge，darkobject；

andanotherglanceshowedmeabiggrislywalkingslowlyoffwithhisheaddown。Hewasquarteringtome，andIfiredintohisflank，thebullet，asIafterwardsfound，rangingforwardandpiercingonelung。

Attheshotheutteredaloud，moaninggruntandplungedforwardataheavygallop，whileIracedobliquelydownthehilltocuthimoff。

Aftergoingafewhundredfeethereachedalaurelthicket，somethirtyyardsbroad，andtwoorthreetimesaslongwhichhedidnotleave。Iranuptotheedgeandtherehalted，notlikingtoventureintothemassoftwisted，close-growingstemsandglossyfoliage。

Moreover，asIhalted，Iheadhimutterapeculiar，savagekindofwhinefromtheheartofthebrush。Accordingly，Ibegantoskirttheedge，standingontiptoeandgazingearnestlytoseeifIcouldnotcatchaglimpseofhishide。WhenIwasatthenarrowestpartofthethicket，hesuddenlyleftitdirectlyopposite，andthenwheeledandstoodbroadsidetomeonthehill-side，alittleabove。Heturnedhisheadstifflytowardsme；scarletstringsoffrothhungfromhislips；

hiseyesburnedlikeembersinthegloom。

Iheldtrue，aimingbehindtheshoulder，andmybulletshatteredthepointorlowerendofhisheart，takingoutabignick。Instantlythegreatbearturnedwithaharshroaroffuryandchallenge，blowingthebloodfoamfromhismouth，sothatIsawthegleamofhiswhitefangs；

andthenhechargedstraightatme，crashingandboundingthroughthelaurelbushes，sothatitwashardtoaim。Iwaiteduntilhecametoafallentree，rakinghimashetoppeditwithaball，whichenteredhischestandwentthroughthecavityofhisbody，butheneitherswervednorflinched，andatthemomentIdidnotknowthatIhadstruckhim。

Hecamesteadilyon，andinanothersecondwasalmostuponme。Ifiredforhisforehead，butmybulletwentlow，enteringhisopenmouth，smashinghislowerjawandgoingintotheneck。IleapedtoonesidealmostasIpulledtrigger；andthroughthehangingsmokethefirstthingIsawwashispawashemadeavicioussideblowatme。Therushofhischargecarriedhimpast。Ashestruckhelurchedforward，leavingapoolofbrightbloodwherehismuzzlehittheground；butherecoveredhimselfandmadetwoorthreejumpsonwards，whileI

hurriedlyjammedacoupleofcartridgesintothemagazine，myrifleholdingonlyfour，allofwhichIhadfired。Thenhetriedtopullup，butashedidsohismusclesseemedsuddenlytogiveway，hisheaddrooped，andherolledoverandoverlikeashotrabbit。Eachofmyfirstthreebulletshadinflictedamortalwound。

Itwasalreadytwilight，andImerelyopenedthecarcass，andthentrottedbacktocamp。NextmorningIreturnedandwithmuchlabortookofftheskin。Thefurwasveryfine，theanimalbeinginexcellenttrim，andunusuallybright-colored。Unfortunately，inpackingitoutI

losttheskull，andhadtosupplyitsplacewithoneofplaster。Thebeautyofthetrophy，andthememoryofthecircumstancesunderwhichIprocuredit，makemevalueitperhapsmorehighlythananyotherinmyhouse。

ThisistheonlyinstanceinwhichIhavebeenregularlychargedbyagrisly。Onthewhole，thedangerofhuntingthesegreatbearshasbeenmuchexaggerated。Atthebeginningofthepresentcentury，whenwhitehuntersfirstencounteredthegrisly，hewasdoubtlessanexceedinglysavagebeast，pronetoattackwithoutprovocation，andaredoubtablefoetopersonsarmedwiththeclumsy，small-boremuzzle-loadingriflesoftheday。Butatpresentbitterexperiencehastaughthimcaution。

Hehasbeenhuntedforthebounty，andhuntedasadangerousenemytostock，until，saveintheverywildestdistricts，hehaslearnedtobemorewarythanadeerandtoavoidman’spresencealmostascarefullyasthemosttimidkindofgame。Exceptinrarecaseshewillnotattackofhisownaccord，and，asarule，evenwhenwoundedhisobjectisescaperatherthanbattle。

Still，whenfairlybroughttobay，orwhenmovedbyasuddenfitofungovernableanger，thegrislyisbeyondperadventureaverydangerousantagonist。Thefirstshot，iftakenatabearagooddistanceoffandpreviouslyunwoundedandunharried，isnotusuallyfraughtwithmuchdanger，thestartledanimalbeingattheoutsetbentmerelyonflight。

Itisalwayshazardous，however，totrackawoundedandworriedgrislyintothickcover，andthemanwhohabituallyfollowsandkillsthischiefofAmericangameindensetimber，neverabandoningthebloodytrailwhithersoeveritleads，mustshownosmalldegreeofskillandhardihood，andmustnottoocloselycounttherisktolifeorlimb。

Bearsdifferwidelyintemper，andoccasionallyonemaybefoundwhowillnotshowfight，nomatterhowmuchheisbullied；but，asarule，ahuntermustbecautiousinmeddlingwithawoundedanimalwhichhasretreatedintoadensethicket，andhadbeenonceortwiceroused；andsuchabeast，whenitdoesturn，willusuallychargeagainandagain，andfighttothelastwithunconquerableferocity。Theshortdistanceatwhichthebearcanbeseenthroughtheunderbrush，thefuryofhischarge，andhistenacityoflifemakeitnecessaryforthehunteronsuchoccasionstohavesteadynervesandafairlyquickandaccurateaim。Itisalwayswelltohavetwomeninfollowingawoundedbearundersuchconditions。Thisisnotnecessary，however，andagoodhunter，ratherthanlosehisquarry，will，underordinarycircumstances，followandattackit，nomatterhowtangledthefastnessinwhichithassoughtrefuge；buthemustactwarilyandwiththeutmostcautionandresolution，ifhewishestoescapeaterribleandprobablyfatalmauling。Anexperiencedhunterisrarelyrash，andneverheedless；hewillnot，whenalone，followawoundedbearintoathicket，ifbythatexerciseofpatience，skill，andknowledgeofthegame’shabitshecanavoidthenecessity；butitisidletotalkofthefeatassomethingwhichoughtinnocasetobeattempted。Whiledangeroughtnevertobeneedlesslyincurred，itisyettruethatthekeenestzestinsportcomesfromitspresence，andfromtheconsequentexerciseofthequalitiesnecessarytoovercomeit。ThemostthrillingmomentsofanAmericanhunter’slifearethoseinwhich，witheverysenseonthealert，andwithnervesstrungtothehighestpoint，heisfollowingaloneintotheheartofitsforestfastnessthefreshandbloodyfootprintsofanangeredgrisly；andnoothertriumphofAmericanhuntingcancomparewiththevictorytobethusgained。

Thesebigbearswillnotordinarilychargefromadistanceofoverahundredyards；butthereareexceptionstothisrule。Inthefallof1890myfriendArchibaldRogerswashuntinginWyoming，southoftheYellowstonePark，andkilledsevenbears。One，anoldhe，wasoutonabaretable-land，grubbingforroots，whenhewasspied。Itwasearlyintheafternoon，andthehunters，whowereonahighmountainslope，examinedhimforsometimethroughtheirpowerfulglassesbeforemakinghimouttobeabear。Theythenstalkeduptotheedgeofthewoodwhichfringedonthetable-landononeside，butcouldgetnonearerthanaboutthreehundredyards，theplainsbeingbarrenofallcover。AfterwaitingforacoupleofhoursRogersriskedtheshot，indespairofgettingnearer，andwoundedthebear，thoughnotveryseriously。Theanimalmadeoff，almostbroadsideto，andRogersranforwardtointerceptit。Assoonasitsawhimitturnedandrushedstraightforhim，notheedinghissecondshot，andevidentlybentoncharginghome。Rogersthenwaiteduntilitwaswithintwentyyards，andbraineditwithhisthirdbullet。

Infactbearsdifferindividuallyincourageandferocitypreciselyasmendo，orastheSpanishbulls，ofwhichitissaidthatnotmorethanoneintwentyisfittostandthecombatofthearena。Onegrislycanscarcelybebulliedintoresistance；thenextmayfighttotheend，againstanyodds，withoutflinching，orevenattackunprovoked。

Hencemenoflimitedexperienceinthissport，generalizingfromtheactionsofthetwoorthreebearseachhashappenedtoseeorkill，oftenreachdiametricallyoppositeconclusionsastothefightingtemperandcapacityofthequarry。Evenoldhunters——whoindeed，asaclass，areverynarrow-mindedandopinionated——oftengeneralizejustasrashlyasbeginners。Onewillportrayallbearsasverydangerous；

anotherwillspeakandactasifhedeemedthemofnomoreconsequencethansomanyrabbits。Iknewoneoldhunterwhohadkilledascorewithouteverseeingoneshowfight。Ontheotherhand，Dr。JamesC。

Merrill，U。S。A。，whohashadaboutasmuchexperiencewithbearsasIhavehad，informsmethathehasbeenchargedwiththeutmostdeterminationthreetimes。Ineachcasetheattackwasdeliveredbeforethebearwaswoundedorevenshotat，theanimalbeingrousedbytheapproachofthehunterfromhisdaybed，andchargingheadlongatthemfromadistanceoftwentyorthirtypaces。Allthreebearswerekilledbeforetheycoulddoanydamage。Therewasaveryremarkableincidentconnectedwiththekillingofoneofthem。ItoccurredinthenorthernspursoftheBighornrange。Dr。Merrill，incompanywithanoldhunter，hadclimbeddownintoadeep，narrowcanyon。Thebottomwasthreadedwithwell-beatenelktrails。Whilefollowingoneofthesethetwomenturnedacornerofthecanyonandwereinstantlychargedbyanoldshe-grisly，soclosethatitwasonlybygoodluckthatoneofthehurriedshotsdisabledherandcausedhertotumbleoveracutbankwhereshewaseasilyfinished。Theyfoundthatshehadbeenlyingdirectlyacrossthegametrail，onasmoothwellbeatenpatchofbareearth，whichlookedasifithadbeendugup，refilled，andtrampleddown。Lookingcuriouslyatthispatchtheysawabitofhideonlypartiallycoveredatoneend；diggingdowntheyfoundthebodyofawellgrowngrislycub。Itsskullhadbeencrushed，andthebrainslickedout，andthereweresignsofotherinjuries。Thehuntersponderedlongoverthisstrangediscovery，andhazardedmanyguessesastoitsmeaning。Atlasttheydecidedthatprobablythecubhadbeenkilled，anditsbrainseatenout，eitherbysomeoldmale-

grislyorbyacougar，thatthemotherhadreturnedanddrivenawaythemurderer，andthatshehadthenburiedthebodyandlainaboveit，waitingtowreakhervengeanceonthefirstpasser-by。

OldTazewellWoody，duringhisthirtyyears’lifeasahunterintheRockiesandonthegreatplains，killedverymanygrislies。Healwaysexercisedmuchcautionindealingwiththem；and，asithappened，hewasbysomesuitabletreeinalmosteverycasewhenhewascharged。Hewouldaccordinglyclimbthetree（apracticeofwhichIdonotapprovehowever）；andthebearwouldlookupathimandpassonwithoutstopping。Once，whenhewashuntinginthemountainswithacompanion，thelatter，whowasdowninavalley，whileWoodywasonthehill-

side，shotatabear。ThefirstthingWoodyknewthewoundedgrisly，runningup-hill，wasalmostonhimfrombehind。Asheturneditseizedhisrifleinitsjaws。Hewrenchedtherifleround，whilethebearstillgrippedit，andpulledtrigger，sendingabulletintoitsshoulder；whereuponitstruckhimwithitspaw，andknockedhimovertherocks。Bygoodluckhefellinasnowbankandwasnothurtintheleast。Meanwhilethebearwentonandtheynevergotit。

Oncehehadanexperiencewithabearwhichshowedaverycuriousmixtureofrashnessandcowardice。Heandacompanionwerecampedinalittletepeeorwigwam，withabrightfireinfrontofit，lightingupthenight。Therewasaninchofsnowontheground。Justaftertheywenttobedagrislycameclosetocamp。Theirdogrushedoutandtheycouldhearitbarkroundinthedarknessfornearlyanhour；thenthebeardroveitoffandcamerightintocamp。Itwentclosetothefire，pickingupthescrapsofmeatandbread，pulledahaunchofvenisondownfromatree，andpassedandrepassedinfrontofthetepee，payingnoheedwhatevertothetwomen，whocrouchedinthedoorwaytalkingtooneanother。OnceitpassedsoclosethatWoodycouldalmosthavetouchedit。Finallyhiscompanionfiredintoit，andoffitran，badlywounded，withoutanattemptatretaliation。Nextmorningtheyfolloweditstracksinthesnow，andfounditaquarteroramileaway。Itwasnearapineandhadburieditselfunderthelooseearth，pineneedles，andsnow；Woody’scompanionalmostwalkedoverit，andputtinghisrifletoitsearblewoutitsbrains。

InallhisexperienceWoodyhadpersonallyseenbutfourmenwhowerebadlymauledbybears。Threeoftheseweremerelywounded。Onewasbittenterriblyintheback。Anotherhadanarmpartiallychewedoff。

ThethirdwasamannamedGeorgeDow，andtheaccidenthappenedtohimontheYellowstoneabouttheyear1878。Hewaswithapackanimalatthetime，leadingitonatrailthroughawood。Seeingabigshe-bearwithcubsheyelledather；whereatsheranaway，butonlytocachehercubs，andinaminute，havinghiddenthem，cameracingbackathim。Hispackanimalbeingslowhestartedtoclimbatree；butbeforehecouldgetfarenoughupshecaughthim，almostbitingapieceoutofthecalfofhisleg，pulledhimdown，bitandcuffedhimtwoorthreetimes，andthenwentonherway。

TheonlytimeWoodyeversawamankilledbyabearwasoncewhenhehadgivenatouchofvarietytohislifebyshippingonaNewBedfordwhalerwhichhadtouchedatoneofthePugetSoundports。ThewhalerwentuptoapartofAlaskawherebearswereveryplentifulandbold。

Onedayacoupleofboats’crewslanded；andthemen，whowerearmedonlywithanoccasionalharpoonorlance，scatteredoverthebeach，oneofthem，aFrenchman，wadingintothewateraftershell-fish。

Suddenlyabearemergedfromsomebushesandchargedamongtheastonishedsailors，whoscatteredineverydirection；butthebear，saidWoody，"justhaditinforthatFrenchman，"andwentstraightathim。Shriekingwithterrorheretreateduptohisneckinthewater；

butthebearplungedinafterhim，caughthim，anddisembowelledhim。

OneoftheYankeematesthenfiredabomblanceintothebear’ships，andthesavagebeasthobbledoffintothedensecoverofthelowscrub，wheretheenragedsailorfolkwereunabletogetatit。

Thetruthisthatwhilethegrislygenerallyavoidsabattleifpossible，andoftenactswithgreatcowardice，itisneversafetotakelibertieswithhim；heusuallyfightsdesperatelyanddieshardwhenwoundedandcornered，andexceptionalindividualstaketheaggressiveonsmallprovocation。

DuringtheyearsIlivedonthefrontierIcameincontactwithmanypersonswhohadbeenseverelymauledorevencrippledforlifebygrislies；andanumberofcaseswheretheykilledmenoutrightwerealsobroughtundermyken。Generallytheseaccidents，aswasnatural，occurredtohunterswhohadrousedorwoundedthegame。

Afightingbearsometimesuseshisclawsandsometimeshisteeth。I

haveneverknownonetoattempttokillanantagonistbyhugging，inspiteofthepopularbelieftothiseffect；thoughhewillsometimesdrawanenemytowardshimwithhispawsthebettertoreachhimwithhisteeth，andtoholdhimsothathecannotescapefromthebiting。

Nordoesthebearoftenadvanceonhishindlegstotheattack；

though，ifthemanhascomeclosetohiminthickunderbrush，orhasstumbledonhiminhislairunawares，hewilloftenriseupinthisfashionandstrikeasingleblow。Hewillalsoriseinclinchingwithamanonhorseback。In1882amountedIndianwaskilledinthismannerononeoftheriverbottomssomemilesbelowwheremyranchhousenowstands，notfarfromthejunctionoftheBeaverandLittleMissouri。

ThebearhadbeenhuntedintoathicketbyabandofIndians，inwhosecompanymyinformant，awhitesquaw-man，withwhomIafterwarddidsometrading，wastravelling。Oneofthemintheexcitementofthepursuitrodeacrosstheendofthethicket；ashedidsothegreatbeastsprangathimwithwonderfulquickness，risingonitshindlegs，andknockingoverthehorseandriderwithasinglesweepofitsterriblefore-paws。Itthenturnedonthefallenmanandtorehimopen，andthoughtheotherIndianscamepromptlytohisrescueandslewhisassailant，theywerenotintimetosavetheircomrade’slife。

Abearisapttorelymainlyonhisteethorclawsaccordingtowhetherhiseffortsaredirectedprimarilytokillinghisfoeortomakinggoodhisownescape。Inthelattereventhetrustschieflytohisclaws。Ifcornered，heofcoursemakesarushforfreedom，andinthatcasehedownsanymanwhoisinhiswaywithasweepofhisgreatpaw，butpassesonwithoutstoppingtobitehim。Ifwhilesleepingorrestinginthickbrushsomeonesuddenlystumblesonhimcloseuphepursuesthesamecourse，lessfromangerthanfromfear，beingsurprisedandstartled。Moreover，ifattackedatclosequartersbymenanddogshestrikesrightandleftindefence。

Sometimeswhatiscalledachargeisratheranefforttogetaway。Inlocalitieswherehehasbeenhunted，abear，likeeveryotherkindofgame，isalwaysonthelook-outforanattack，andispreparedatanymomentforimmediateflight。Heseemsevertohaveinhismind，whetherfeeding，sunninghimself，ormerelyroamingaround，thedirection——usuallytowardsthethickestcoverormostbrokenground——

inwhichheintendstorunifmolested。Whenshotatheinstantlystartstowardsthisplace；orhemaybesoconfusedthathesimplyrunsheknowsnotwhither；andineithereventhemaytakealinethatleadsalmostdirectlytoorbythehunter，althoughhehadatfirstnothoughtofcharging。Insuchacaseheusuallystrikesasingleknock-

downblowandgallopsonwithouthalting，thoughthatoneblowmayhavetakenlife。Iftheclawsarelongandfairlysharp（asinearlyspring，oreveninthefall，iftheanimalhasbeenworkingoversoftground）theyaddimmenselytotheeffectoftheblow，fortheycutlikebluntaxes。Often，however，lateintheseason，andifthegroundhasbeendryandhard，orrocky，theclawsareworndownnearlytothequick，andtheblowisthengivenmainlywiththeundersideofthepaw；althoughevenunderthisdisadvantageathumpfromabigbearwilldownahorseorsmashinaman’sbreast。ThehunterHoferoncelostahorseinthismanner。Heshotatandwoundedabearwhichrushedoff，asillluckwouldhaveit，pasttheplacewherehishorsewaspicketed；probablymoreinfrightthaninangeritstruckthepoorbeastablowwhich，intheend，provedmortal。

Ifabearmeansmischiefandchargesnottoescapebuttododamage，itsaimistograpplewithorthrowdownitsfoeandbitehimtodeath。Thechargeismadeatagallop，theanimalsometimescomingonsilently，withthemouthshut，andsometimeswiththejawsopen，thelipsdrawnbackandteethshowing，utteringatthesametimeasuccessionofroarsorofsavageraspingsnarls。Certainbearschargewithoutanyblusterandperfectlystraight；whileothersfirstthreatenandbully，andevenwhenchargingstoptogrowl，shaketheheadandbiteatabushorknockholesinthegroundwiththeirfore-

paws。Again，someofthemchargehomewithaferociousresolutionwhichtheirextremetenacityofliferendersespeciallydangerous；

whileotherscanbeturnedordrivenbackevenbyashotwhichisnotmortal。Theyshowthesamevariabilityintheirbehaviorwhenwounded。

Oftenabigbear，especiallyifcharging，willreceiveabulletinperfectsilence，withoutflinchingorseemingtopayanyheedtoit；

whileanotherwillcryoutandtumbleabout，andifcharging，eventhoughitmaynotabandontheattack，willpauseforamomenttowhineorbiteatthewound。

Sometimesasinglebitecausesdeath。OneofthemostsuccessfulbearhuntersIeverknew，anoldfellowwhoserealnameIneverheardashewasalwayscalledOldIke，waskilledinthiswayinthespringorearlysummerof1886ononeofthehead-watersoftheSalmon。Hewasaverygoodshot，hadkillednearlyahundredbearswiththerifle，and，althoughoftencharged，hadnevermetwithanyaccident，sothathehadgrownsomewhatcareless。Onthedayinquestionhehadmetacoupleofminingprospectorsandwastravellingwiththem，whenagrislycrossedhispath。Theoldhunterimmediatelyranafterit，rapidlygaining，asthebeardidnothurrywhenitsawitselfpursued，butslouchedslowlyforwards，occasionallyturningitsheadtogrinandgrowl。Itsoonwentintoadensegroveofyoungspruce，andasthehunterreachedtheedgeitchargedfiercelyout。Hefiredonehastyshot，evidentlywoundingtheanimal，butnotseriouslyenoughtostoporcrippleit；andashistwocompanionsranforwardtheysawthebearseizehimwithitswide-spreadjaws，forcinghimtotheground。Theyshoutedandfired，andthebeastabandonedthefallenmanontheinstantandsullenlyretreatedintothesprucethicket，whithertheydarednotfollowit。Theirfriendwasathislastgasp；forthewholesideofthechesthadbeencrushedinbytheonebite，thelungsshowingbetweentherentribs。

Veryoften，however，abeardoesnotkillamanbyonebite，butafterthrowinghimliesonhim，bitinghimtodeath。Usually，ifnoassistanceisathand，suchamanisdoomed；althoughifhepretendstobedead，andhasthenervetoliequietunderveryroughtreatment，itisjustpossiblethatthebearmayleavehimalive，perhapsafterhalfburyingwhatitbelievestobethebody。Inaveryfewexceptionalinstancesmenofextraordinaryprowesswiththeknifehavesucceededinbeatingoffabear，andeveninmortallywoundingit，butinmostcasesasingle-handedstruggle，atclosequarters，withagrislybentonmischief，meansdeath。

Occasionallythebear，althoughvicious，isalsofrightened，andpassesonaftergivingoneortwobites；andfrequentlyamanwhoisknockeddownisrescuedbyhisfriendsbeforeheiskilled，thebigbeastmayhapusinghisweaponswithclumsiness。Soabearmaykillafoewithasingleblowofitsmightyfore-arm，eithercrushingintheheadorchestbysheerforceofsinew，orelsetearingopenthebodywithitsformidableclaws；andsoontheotherhandhemay，andoftendoes，merelydisfigureormaimthefoebyahurriedstroke。Henceitiscommontoseemenwhohaveescapedtheclutchesofagrisly，butonlyatthecostoffeaturesmarredbeyondrecognition，orabodyrenderedalmosthelplessforlife。AlmosteveryoldresidentofwesternMontanaornorthernIdahohasknowntwoorthreeunfortunateswhohavesufferedinthismanner。IhavemyselfmetonesuchmaninHelena，andanotherinMissoula；bothwerelivingatleastaslateas1889，thedateatwhichIlastsawthem。Onehadbeenpartiallyscalpedbyabear’steeth；theanimalwasveryoldandsothefangsdidnotentertheskull。Theotherhadbeenbittenacrosstheface，andthewoundsneverentirelyhealed，sothathisdisfiguredvisagewashideoustobehold。

Mostoftheseaccidentsoccurinfollowingawoundedorworriedbearintothickcover；andundersuchcircumstancesananimalapparentlyhopelesslydisabled，orinthedeaththroes，maywithalasteffortkilloneormoreofitsassailants。In1874mywife’suncle，CaptainAlexanderMoore，U。S。A。，andmyfriendCaptainBates，withsomemenofthe2ndand3rdCavalry，werescoutinginWyoming，neartheFreezeoutMountains。Onemorningtheyrousedabearintheopenprairieandfolloweditatfullspeedasitrantowardsasmallcreek。

Atonespotinthecreekbeavershadbuiltadam，andasusualinsuchplacestherewasathickgrowthofbushesandwillowsaplings。Justasthebearreachedtheedgeofthislittlejungleitwasstruckbyseveralballs，bothofitsforelegsbeingbroken。Nevertheless，itmanagedtoshoveitselfforwardonitshind-legs，andpartlyrolled，partlypusheditselfintothethicket，thebushesthoughlowbeingsodensethatitsbodywasatoncecompletelyhidden。Thethicketwasamerepatchofbrush，nottwentyyardsacrossinanydirection。Theleadingtroopersreachedtheedgealmostasthebeartumbledin。Oneofthem，atallandpowerfulmannamedMiller，instantlydismountedandpreparedtoforcehiswayinamongthedwarfedwillows，whichwerebutbreast-high。AmongthemenwhohadriddenupwereMooreandBates，andalsothetwofamousscouts，BuffaloBill——longacompanionofCaptainMoore，——andCaliforniaJoe，Custer’sfaithfulfollower。

CaliforniaJoehadspentalmostallhislifeontheplainsandinthemountains，asahunterandIndianfighter；andwhenhesawthetrooperabouttorushintothethickethecalledouttohimnottodoso，warninghimofthedanger。Butthemanwasaveryrecklessfellowandheansweredbyjeeringattheoldhunterforhisover-cautioninbeingafraidofacrippledbear。CaliforniaJoemadenofurtherefforttodissuadehim，remarkingquietly："Verywell，sonny，goin；it’syourownaffair。"Millerthenleapedoffthebankonwhichtheystoodandstrodeintothethicket，holdinghisrifleattheport。Hardlyhadhetakenthreestepswhenthebearroseinfrontofhim，roaringwithrageandpain。Itwassoclosethatthemanhadnochancetofire。Itsfore-armshunguselessandasitrearedunsteadilyonitshind-legs，lungingforwardathim，heseizeditbytheearsandstrovetoholditback。Hisstrengthwasverygreat，andheactuallykeptthehugeheadfromhisfaceandbracedhimselfsothathewasnotoverthrown；butthebeartwisteditsmuzzlefromsidetoside，bitingandtearingtheman’sarmsandshoulders。Anothersoldierjumpingdownslewthebeastwithasinglebullet，andrescuedhiscomrade；butthoughalivehewastoobadlyhurttorecoveranddiedafterreachingthehospital。

BuffaloBillwasgiventhebear-skin，andIbelievehasitnow。

Theinstancesinwhichhunterswhohaverashlyfollowedgrisliesintothickcoverhavebeenkilledorseverelymauledmightbemultipliedindefinitely。Ihavemyselfknownofeightcasesinwhichmenhavemettheirdeathsinthismanner。

Itoccasionallyhappensthatacunningoldgrislywillliesoclosethatthehunteralmoststepsonhim；andhethenrisessuddenlywithaloud，coughinggrowlandstrikesdownorseizesthemanbeforethelattercanfireoffhisrifle。Morerarelyabearwhichisbothviciousandcraftydeliberatelypermitsthehuntertoapproachfairlynearto，orperhapspassby，itshiding-place，andthensuddenlychargeshimwithsuchrapiditythathehasbarelytimeforthemosthurriedshot。Thedangerinsuchacaseisofcoursegreat。

Ordinarily，however，eveninthebrush，thebear’sobjectistoslinkaway，nottofight，andverymanyarekilledevenunderthemostunfavorablecircumstanceswithoutaccident。Ifanunwoundedbearthinksitselfunobserveditisnotapttoattack；andinthickcoveritisreallyastonishingtoseehowoneoftheselargeanimalscanhide，andhowcloselyitwillliewhenthereisdanger。Abouttwelvemilesbelowmyranchtherearesomelargeriverbottomsandcreekbottomscoveredwithamattedmassofcottonwood，box-alders，bull-

berrybushes，rosebushes，ash，wildplums，andotherbushes。ThesebottomshaveharboredbearseversinceIfirstsawthem；but，thoughoftenincompanywithalargeparty，Ihaverepeatedlybeatenthroughthem，andthoughwemustattimeshavebeenverynearindeedtothegame，weneversomuchashearditrun。

Whenbearsareshot，astheyusuallymustbe，inopentimberoronthebaremountain，theriskisverymuchless。Hundredsmaythusbekilledwithcomparativelylittledanger；yetevenunderthesecircumstancestheywilloftencharge，andsometimesmaketheirchargegood。Thespiceofdanger，especiallytoamanarmedwithagoodrepeatingrifle，isonlyenoughtoaddzesttothechase，andthechieftriumphisinoutwittingthewaryquarryandgettingwithinrange。Ordinarilytheonlyexcitementisinthestalk，thebeardoingnothingmorethankeepakeenlook-outandmanifesttheutmostanxietytogetaway。Asisbutnatural，accidentsoccasionallyoccur；yettheyareusuallyduemoretosomefailureinmanorweaponthantotheprowessofthebear。

AgoodhunterwhomIonceknew，atatimewhenhewaslivinginButte，receivedfatalinjuriesfromabearheattackedinopenwoodland。Thebeastchargedafterthefirstshot，butslackeneditspaceoncomingalmostuptotheman。Thelatter’sgunjambed，andashewasendeavoringtoworkithekeptsteppingslowlyback，facingthebearwhichfollowedafewyardsdistant，snarlingandthreatening。

Unfortunatelywhilethuswalkingbackwardsthemanstruckadeadlogandfelloverit，whereuponthebeastinstantlysprangonhimandmortallywoundedhimbeforehelparrived。

Onrareoccasionsmenwhoarenotatthetimehuntingitfallvictimstothegrisly。Thisisusuallybecausetheystumbleonitunawaresandtheanimalattacksthemmoreinfearthaninanger。Onesuchcase，resultingfatally，occurrednearmyownranch。Themanwalkedalmostoverabearwhilecrossingalittlepointofbrush，inabendoftheriver，andwasbrainedwithasingleblowofthepaw。Inanotherinstancewhichcametomyknowledgethemanescapedwithashakingup，andwithoutevenafight。HisnamewasPerkins，andhewasoutgatheringhuckleberriesinthewoodsonamountainsidenearPend’OreilleLake。Suddenlyhewassentflyingheadoverheels，byablowwhichcompletelyknockedthebreathoutofhisbody；andsoinstantaneouswasthewholeaffairthatallhecouldeverrecollectaboutitwasgettingavagueglimpseofthebearjustashewasbowledover。Whenhecametohefoundhimselflyingsomedistancedownthehill-side，muchshaken，andwithouthisberrypail，whichhadrolledahundredyardsbelowhim，butnototherwisetheworseforhismisadventure；whilethefootprintsshowedthatthebear，afterdeliveringthesinglehurriedstokeattheunwittingdisturberofitsday-dreams，hadrunoffup-hillasfastasitwasable。

Ashe-bearwithcubsisaproverbiallydangerousbeast；yetevenundersuchconditionsdifferentgrisliesactindirectlyoppositeways。Someshe-grislies，whentheircubsareyoung，butareabletofollowthemabout，seemalwaysworkeduptothehighestpitchofanxiousandjealousrage，sothattheyarelikelytoattackunprovokedanyintruderorevenpasser-by。Otherswhenthreatenedbythehunterleavetheircubstotheirfatewithoutavisiblequalmofanykind，andseemtothinkonlyoftheirownsafety。

In1882Mr。CasperW。Whitney，nowofNewYork，metwithaverysingularadventurewithashe-bearandcub。HewasinHarvardwhenI

was，butleftitand，likeagoodmanyotherHarvardmenofthattime，tooktocow-punchingintheWest。HewentonaranchinRioArribaCounty，NewMexico，andwasakeenhunter，especiallyfondofthechaseofcougar，bear，andelk。Onedaywhileridingastonymountaintrailhesawagrislycubwatchinghimfromthechaparralabove，andhedismountedtotrytocaptureit；hisriflewasa40-90Sharp’s。

Justashenearedthecub，heheardagrowlandcaughtaglimpseoftheoldshe，andheatonceturnedup-hill，andstoodundersometall，quakingaspens。Fromthisspothefiredatandwoundedtheshe，thenseventyyardsoff；andshechargedfuriously。Hehitheragain，butasshekeptcominglikeathunderboltheclimbedhastilyuptheaspen，dragginghisgunwithhim，asithadastrap。Whenthebearreachedthefootoftheaspenshereared，andbitandclawedtheslendertrunk，shakingitforamoment，andheshotherthroughtheeye。Offshesprangforafewyards，andthenspunroundadozentimes，asifdazedorpartiallystunned；forthebullethadnottouchedthebrain。

Thenthevindictiveandresolutebeastcamebacktothetreeandagainrearedupagainstit；thistimetoreceiveabulletthatdroppedherlifeless。Mr。Whitneythenclimbeddownandwalkedtowherethecubhadbeensittingasalooker-on。Thelittleanimaldidnotmoveuntilhereachedouthishand；whenitsuddenlystruckathimlikeanangrycat，doveintothebushes，andwasseennomore。

Inthesummerof1888anold-timetrapper，namedCharleyNorton，whileonLoonCreek，ofthemiddleforkoftheSalmon，meddledwithasheandhercubs。Sheranathimandwithoneblowofherpawalmostknockedoffhislowerjaw；yetherecovered，andwasalivewhenIlastheardofhim。

YettheverynextspringthecowboyswithmyownwagonontheLittleMissouriround-upkilledamotherbearwhichmadebutlittlemorefightthanacoyote。Shehadtwocubs，andwassurprisedintheearlymorningontheprairiefarfromcover。Therewereeightortencowboystogetheratthetime，juststartingoffonalongcircle，andofcoursetheyallgotdowntheirropesinasecond，andputtingspurstotheirfierylittlehorsesstartedtowardthebearsatarun，shoutingandswingingtheirloopsroundtheirheads。Foramomenttheoldshetriedtoblusterandmadeahalf-heartedthreatofcharging；buthercouragefailedbeforetherapidonslaughtofheryelling，rope-

swingingassailants；andshetooktoherheelsandgallopedoff，leavingthecubstoshiftforthemselves。Thecowboyswereclosebehind，however，andafterhalfamile’srunsheboltedintoashallowcaveorholeinthesideofabutte，whereshestayedcoweringandgrowling，untiloneofthemenleapedoffhishorse，ranuptotheedgeofthehole，andkilledherwithasinglebulletfromhisrevolver，firedsoclosethatthepowderburnedherhair。Theunfortunatecubswereroped，andthensodraggedaboutthattheywerespeedilykilledinsteadofbeingbroughtalivetocamp，asoughttohavebeendone。

Inthecasesmentionedabovethegrislyattackedonlyafterhavingbeenitselfassailed，orbecauseitfearedanassault，foritselforforitsyoung。Intheolddays，however，itmayalmostbesaidthatagrislywasmoreapttoattackthantoflee。LewisandClarkeandtheearlyexplorerswhoimmediatelysucceededthem，aswellasthefirsthuntersandtrappers，the"RockyMountainmen"oftheearlydecadesofthepresentcentury，wererepeatedlyassailedinthismanner；andnotafewofthebearhuntersofthatperiodfoundthatitwasunnecessarytotakemuchtroubleaboutapproachingtheirquarry，asthegrislywasusuallyprompttoacceptthechallengeandtoadvanceofitsownaccord，assoonasitdiscoveredthefoe。Allthisischangednow。Yetevenatthepresentdayanoccasionalviciousoldbearmaybefound，insomefar-offandlittle-trodfastness，whichstillkeepsuptheformerhabitofitskind。Alloldhuntershavetalesofthissorttorelate，theprowess，cunning，strength，andferocityofthegrislybeingfavoritetopicsforcamp-firetalkthroughouttheRockies；butinmostcasesitisnotsafetoacceptthesestorieswithoutcarefulsifting。

Stillitisjustasunsafetorejectthemall。Oneofmyowncowboyswasonceattackedbyagrisly，seeminglyinpurewantonness。Hewasridingupacreekbottomandhadjustpassedaclumpofroseandbull-

berrybusheswhenhishorsegavesuchaleapasalmosttounseathim，andthendartedmadlyforward。Turningroundinthesaddletohisutterastonishmenthesawalargebeargallopingafterhim，atthehorse’sheels。Forafewjumpstheracewasclose，thenthehorsedrewawayandthebearwheeledandwentintoathicketofwildplums。Theamazedandindignantcowboy，assoonashecouldreininhissteed，drewhisrevolverandrodebacktoandaroundthethicket，endeavoringtoprovokehislatepursuertocomeoutandtryconclusionsonmoreequalterms；butprudentEphraimhadapparentlyrepentedofhisfreakofferociousbravado，anddeclinedtoleavethesecureshelterofthejungle。

Otherattacksareofamuchmoreexplicablenature。Mr。Huffman，thephotographerofMilesCity，informedmeoncewhenbutcheringsomeslaughteredelkhewaschargedtwicebyashe-bearandtwowell-growncubs。Thiswasapieceofsheerbullying，undertakensolelywiththepurposeofdrivingawaythemanandfeastingonthecarcasses；forineachchargethethreebears，afteradvancingwithmuchblustering，roaring，andgrowling，haltedjustbeforecomingtoclosequarters。InanotherinstanceagentlemanIonceknew，aMr。S。Carr。waschargedbyagrislyfrommereilltemperatbeingdisturbedatmealtime。Themanwasridingupavalley；andthebearwasatanelkcarcass，nearaclumpoffirs。Assoonasitbecameawareoftheapproachofthehorseman，whilehewasyetoverahundredyardsdistant，itjumpedonthecarcass，lookedathimamoment，andthenranstraightforhim。

Therewasnoparticularreasonwhyitshouldhavecharged，foritwasfatandingoodtrim，thoughwhenkilleditsheadshowedscarsmadebytheteethofrivalgrislies。Apparentlyithadbeenlivingsowell，principallyonflesh，thatithadbecomequarrelsome；andperhapsitsnotoversweetdispositionhadbeensouredbycombatswithothersofitsownkind。Inyetanothercase，agrislychargedwithevenlessexcuse。Anoldtrapper，fromwhomIoccasionallyboughtfur，wastoilingupamountainpasswhenhespiedabigbearsittingonhishaunchesonthehill-sideabove。Thetrappershoutedandwavedhiscap；whereupon，tohisamazement，thebearutteredaloud"wough"andchargedstraightdownonhim——onlytofallavictimtomisplacedboldness。

Iameveninclinedtothinkthattherehavebeenwhollyexceptionaloccasionswhenagrislyhasattackedamanwiththedeliberatepurposeofmakingamealofhim；when，inotherwords，ithasstartedonthecareerofaman-eater。Atleast，onanyothertheoryIfinditdifficulttoaccountforanattackwhichoncecametomyknowledge。I

wasatSandpoint，onPend’OreilleLake，andmetsomeFrenchandMetitrappers，thenintownwiththeirbalesofbeaver，otter，andsable。

Oneofthem，whogavehisnameasBaptisteLamoche，hadhisheadtwistedovertooneside，theresultofthebiteofabear。Whentheaccidentoccurredhewasoutonatrappingtripwithtwocompanions。

Theyhadpitchedcamprightontheshoreofacoveinalittlelake，andhiscomradeswereofffishinginadugoutorpirogue。Hehimselfwassittingneartheshore，byalittlelean-to，watchingsomebeavermeatwhichwassizzlingoverthedyingembers。Suddenly，andwithoutwarning，agreatbear，whichhadcreptsilentlyupbeneaththeshadowsofthetallevergreens，rushedathim，withagutturalroar，andseizedhimbeforehecouldrisetohisfeet。Itgraspedhimwithitsjawsatthejunctionoftheneckandshoulder，makingtheteethmeetthroughbone，sinew，andmuscle；andturning，trackedofftowardstheforest，draggingwithitthehelplessandparalyzedvictim。Luckilythetwomeninthecanoehadjustpaddledroundthepoint，insightof，andcloseto，camp。Themaninthebow，seeingtheplightoftheircomrade，seizedhisrifleandfiredatthebear。Thebulletwentthroughthebeast’slungs，anditforthwithdroppeditsprey，andrunningoffsometwohundredyards，laydownonitssideanddied。Therescuedmanrecoveredfullhealthandstrength，butneveragaincarriedhisheadstraight。

Oldhuntersandmountain-mentellmanystories，notonlyofmaliciousgrisliesthusattackingmenincamp，butalsooftheirevendoggingthefootstepsofsomesolitaryhunterandkillinghimwhenthefavorableopportunityoccurs。Mostofthesetalesaremerefables；butitispossiblethatinaltogetherexceptionalinstancestheyrestonafoundationoffact。OneoldhunterwhomIknewtoldmesuchastory。

Hewasatruthfuloldfellowandtherewasnodoubtthathebelievedwhathesaid，andthathiscompanionwasactuallykilledbyabear；

butitisprobablethathewasmistakeninreadingthesignsofhiscomrade’sfate，andthatthelatterwasnotdoggedbythebearatall，butstumbledonhimandwasslaininthesurpriseofthemoment。

Atanyrate，casesofwantonassaultsbygrisliesarealtogetheroutofthecommon。Theordinaryhuntermayliveouthiswholelifeinthewildernessandneverknowaughtofabearattackingamanunprovoked；

andthegreatmajorityofbearsareshotundercircumstancesofnospecialexcitement，astheyeithermakenofightatall，or，iftheydofight，arekilledbeforethereisanyriskoftheirdoingdamage。

Ifsurprisedontheplains，atsomedistancefromtimberorfrombadlybrokenground，itisnouncommonfeatforasinglehorsemantokillthemwitharevolver。Twiceoflateyearsithasbeenperformedintheneighborhoodofmyranch。Inbothinstancesthemenwerenothuntersoutaftergame，butsimplycowboys，ridingovertherangeinearlymorninginpursuanceoftheirordinarydutiesamongthecattle。Iknewbothmenandhaveworkedwiththemontheround-up。Likemostcowboys，theycarried44-calibreColtrevolvers，andwereaccustomedtoandfairlyexpertintheiruse，andtheyweremountedonordinarycow-

ponies——quick，wiry，pluckylittlebeasts。Inonecasethebearwasseenfromquiteadistance，loungingacrossabroadtable-land。Thecowboy，bytakingadvantageofawindingandrathershallowcoulie，gotquiteclosetohim。Hethenscrambledoutofthecoulie，putspurstohispony，andraceduptowithinfiftyyardsoftheastonishedbearerethelatterquiteunderstoodwhatitwasthatwasrunningathimthroughthegraydawn。Hemadenoattemptatfight，butranattopspeedtowardsaclumpofbrushnotfaroffattheheadofacreek。

Beforehecouldreachit，however，thegallopinghorsemenwasalongside，andfiredthreeshotsintohisbroadback。Hedidnotturn，butranonintothebushesandthenfelloveranddied。

Intheothercasethecowboy，aTexan，wasmountedonagoodcuttingpony，aspirited，handy，agilelittleanimal，butexcitable，andwithahabitofdancing，whichrendereditdifficulttoshootfromitsback。Themanwaswiththeround-upwagon，andhadbeensentoffbyhimselftomakeacirclethroughsomelow，barrenbuttes，whereitwasnotthoughtmorethanafewheadofstockwouldbefound。Onroundingthecornerofasmallwashouthealmostranoverabearwhichwasfeedingonthecarcassofasteerthathaddiedinanalkalihole。

Afteramomentofstunnedsurprisethebearhurledhimselfattheintruderwithfuriousimpetuosity；whilethecowboy，wheelinghishorseonitshaunchesanddashinginthespurs，carrieditjustclearofhisassailant’sheadlongrush。Afterafewspringshereinedinandoncemorewheeledhalfround，havingdrawnhisrevolver，onlytofindthebearagainchargingandalmostonhim。Thistimehefiredintoit，nearthejoiningoftheneckandshoulder，thebulletgoingdownwardsintothechesthollow；andagainbyaquickdashtoonesidehejustavoidedtherushofthebeastandthesweepofitsmightyforepaw。Thebearthenhaltedforaminute，andherodeclosebyitatarun，firingacoupleofshots，whichbroughtonanotherresolutecharge。

Thegroundwassomewhatruggedandbroken，buthisponywasasquickonitsfeetasacat，andneverstumbled，evenwhengoingatfullspeedtoavoidthebear’sfirstmadrushes。Itspeedilybecamesoexcited，however，astorenderitalmostimpossiblefortheridertotakeaim。Sometimeshewouldcomeupclosetothebearandwaitforittocharge，whichitwoulddo，firstatatrot，orratherrack，andthenatalumberingbutswiftgallop；andhewouldfireoneortwoshotsbeforebeingforcedtorun。Atothertimes，ifthebearstoodstillinagoodplace，hewouldrunbyit，firingasherode。Hespentmanycartridges，andthoughmostofthemwerewastedoccasionallyabulletwenthome。Thebearfoughtwiththemostsavagecourage，champingitsbloodyjaws，roaringwithrage，andlookingtheveryincarnationofevilfury。Forsomeminutesitmadenoefforttoflee，eitherchargingorstandingatbay。Thenitbegantomoveslowlytowardsapatchofashandwildplumsintheheadofacoulie，somedistanceoff。Itspursuerrodeafterit，andwhencloseenoughwouldpushbyitandfire，whilethebearwouldspinquicklyroundandchargeasfiercelyasever，thoughevidentlybeginningtogrowweak。

Atlast，whenstillacoupleofhundredyardsfromcoverthemanfoundhehadusedupallhiscartridges，andthenmerelyfollowedatasafedistance。Thebearnolongerpaidheedtohim，butwalkedslowlyforwards，swayingitsgreatheadfromsidetoside，whilethebloodstreamedfrombetweenitshalf-openedjaws。Onreachingthecoverhecouldtellbythewavingofthebushesthatitwalkedtothemiddleandthenhalted。Afewminutesafterwardssomeoftheothercowboysrodeup，havingbeenattractedbytheincessantfiring。Theysurroundedthethicket，firingandthrowingstonesintothebushes。

Finally，asnothingmoved，theyventuredinandfoundtheindomitablegrislywarriorlyingdead。

Cowboysdelightinnothingsomuchasthechancetoshowtheirskillasridersandropers；andtheyalwaystrytoridedownandropeanywildanimaltheycomeacrossinfavorablegroundandcloseenoughup。

Ifapartyofthemmeetsabearintheopentheyhavegreatfun；andthestrugglebetweentheshouting，galloping，rough-ridersandtheirshaggyquarryisfullofwildexcitementandnotunaccompaniedbydanger。Thebearoftenthrowsthenoosefromhisheadsorapidlythatitisadifficultmattertocatchhim；andhisfrequentchargesscatterhistormentorsineverydirectionwhilethehorsesbecomewildwithfrightovertheroaring，bristlingbeast——forhorsesseemtodreadabearmorethananyotheranimal。Ifthebearcannotreachcover，however，hisfateissealed。Soonerorlater，thenoosetightensoveroneleg，orperchanceovertheneckandfore-paw，andastheropestraightenswitha"plunk，"thehorsebracesitselfdesperatelyandthebeartumblesover。Whetherheregainshisfeetornotthecowboykeepstheropetaut；soonanothernoosetightensoveraleg，andthebearisspeedilyrenderedhelpless。

IhaveknownofthesefeatsbeingperformedseveraltimesinnorthernWyoming，althoughneverintheimmediateneighborhoodofmyranch。Mr。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读