AnAccountoftheBigGameoftheUnitedStatesanditsChasewithHorseHound，andRifle
CHAPTERI。
THEBISONORAMERICANBUFFALO。
Whenwebecameanationin1776，thebuffaloes，thefirstanimalstovanishwhenthewildernessissettled，rovedtothecrestsofthemountainswhichmarkthewesternboundariesofPennsylvania，Virginia，andtheCarolinas。TheywereplentifulinwhatarenowtheStatesofOhio，Kentucky，andTennessee。ButbythebeginningofthepresentcenturytheyhadbeendrivenbeyondtheMississippi；andforthenexteightyyearstheyformedoneofthemostdistinctiveandcharacteristicfeaturesofexistenceonthegreatplains。Theirnumberswerecountless——incredible。Invastherdsofhundredsofthousandsofindividuals，theyroamedfromtheSaskatchewantotheRioGrandeandwestwardtotheRockyMountains。TheyfurnishedallthemeansoflivelihoodtothetribesofHorseIndians，andtothecuriouspopulationofFrenchMetis，orHalf-breeds，ontheRedRiver，aswellastothosedauntlessandarchtypicalwanderers，thewhitehuntersandtrappers。Theirnumbersslowlydiminished，butthedecreasewasverygradualuntilaftertheCivilWar。Theywerenotdestroyedbythesettlers，butbytherailwaysandtheskinhunters。
AftertheendingoftheCivilWar，theworkofconstructingtrans-
continentalrailwaylineswaspushedforwardwiththeutmostvigor。
Thesesuppliedcheapandindispensable，buthithertowhollylacking，meansoftransportationtothehunters；andatthesametimethedemandforbuffalorobesandhidesbecameverygreat，whiletheenormousnumbersofthebeasts，andthecomparativeeasewithwhichtheywereslaughtered，attractedthrongsofadventurers。Theresultwassuchaslaughterofbiggameastheworldhadneverbeforeseen；
neverbeforeweresomanylargeanimalsofonespeciesdestroyedinsoshortatime。Severalmillionbuffaloeswereslain。Infifteenyearsfromthetimethedestructionfairlybeganthegreatherdswereexterminated。Inallprobabilitytherearenotnow，alltold，fivehundredheadofwildbuffaloesontheAmericancontinent；andnoherdofahundredindividualshasbeeninexistencesince1884。
ThefirstgreatbreakfollowedthebuildingoftheUnionPacificRailway。Allthebuffaloesofthemiddleregionwerethendestroyed，andtheothersweresplitintotwovastsetsofherds，thenorthernandthesouthern。Thelatterweredestroyedfirst，about1878；theformernotuntil1883。Myownchiefexperiencewithbuffaloeswasobtainedinthelatteryear，amongsmallbandsandscatteredindividuals，nearmyranchontheLittleMissouri；Ihaverelateditelsewhere。Buttwoofmykinsmenweremorefortunate，andtookpartinthechaseoftheselordlybeastswhentheherdsstilldarkenedtheprairieasfarastheeyecouldsee。
Duringthefirsttwomonthsof1877，mybrotherElliott，thenaladnotseventeenyearsold，madeabuffalo-hunttowardtheedgeoftheStakedPlainsinNorthernTexas。Hewasthusinatthedeathofthesouthernherds；forall，saveafewscatteringbands，weredestroyedwithintwoyearsofthistime。Hewaswithmycousin，JohnRoosevelt，andtheywentoutontherangewithsixotheradventurers。Itwasapartyofjustsuchyoungmenasfrequentlydrifttothefrontier。Allwereshortofcash，andallwerehardy，vigorousfellows，eagerforexcitementandadventure。Mybrotherwasmuchtheyoungestoftheparty，andtheleastexperienced；buthewaswell-grown，strongandhealthy，andveryfondofboxing，wrestling，running，riding，andshooting；moreover，hehadservedanapprenticeshipinhuntingdeerandturkeys。Theirmess-kit，ammunition，bedding，andprovisionswerecarriedintwoprairie-wagons，eachdrawnbyfourhorse。Inadditiontotheteamstheyhadsixsaddle-animals——allofthemshaggy，unkemptmustangs。Threeorfourdogs，settersandhalf-bredgreyhounds，trottedalongbehindthewagons。Eachmantookhisturnfortwodaysasteamsterandcook；andtherewerealwaystwowiththewagons，orcamp，asthecasemightbe，whiletheothersixwereoffhunting，usuallyincouples。Theexpeditionwasundertakenpartlyforsportandpartlywiththehopeofprofit；for，afterpurchasingthehorsesandwagons，noneofthepartyhadanymoneyleft，andtheywereforcedtorelyuponsellingskinsandhides，and，whenneartheforts，meat。
TheystartedonJanuary2nd，andshapedtheircourseforthehead-
watersoftheSaltForkoftheBrazos，thecentreofabundanceforthegreatbuffaloherds。Duringthefirstfewdaystheywereintheoutskirtsofthesettledcountry，andshotonlysmallgame——quailandprairiefowl；thentheybegantokillturkey，deer，andantelope。
Thesetheyswappedforflourandfeedattheranchesorsqualid，stragglingfrontiertowns。Onseveraloccasionsthehunterswerelost，spendingthenightoutintheopen，orsleepingataranch，ifonewasfound。Bothtownsandrancheswerefilledwithroughcustomers；allofmybrother’scompanionsweremuscular，hot-headedfellows；andasaconsequencetheywereinvolvedinseveralsavagefreefights，inwhich，fortunately，nobodywasseriouslyhurt。Mybrotherkeptaverybriefdiary，theentriesbeingfairlystartlingfromtheirconciseness。Anumberoftimes，thementionoftheirarrival，eitheratahalting-place，alittlevillage，orarivalbuffalo-campisfollowedbythelaconicremark，\"bigfight，\"or\"bigrow\"；butoncetheyevidentlyconcludeddiscretiontobethebetterpartofvalor，theentryforJanuary20thbeing，\"Ontheroad——passedthroughBelknap——toolively，sokeptontotheBrazos——verylate。\"Thebuffalo-campsinparticularwereveryjealousofoneanother，eachpartyregardingitselfashavingexclusiverighttotherangeitwasthefirsttofind；andonseveraloccasionsthisfeelingcamenearinvolvingmybrotherandhiscompanionsinserioustrouble。
Whileslowlydrivingtheheavywagonstothehuntinggroundstheysufferedtheusualhardshipsofplainstravel。Theweather，asinmostTexaswinters，alternatedbetweentheextremesofheatandcold。Therehadbeenlittlerain；inconsequencewaterwasscarce。Twicetheywereforcedtocrosswild，barrenwastes，wherethepoolshaddriedup，andtheysufferedterriblyfromthirst。Onthefirstoccasionthehorseswereingoodcondition，andtheytravelledsteadily，withonlyoccasionalshorthalts，foroverthirty-sixhours，bywhichtimetheywereacrossthewaterlesscountry。Thejournalreads：\"January27th——
Bighunt——nowater，andweleftQuinn’sblockhousethismorning3A。M。
——onthegoallnight——hot。January28——Nowater——hot——atsevenwestruckwater，andbyeightStinkingCreek——grand’hurrah。’\"Onthesecondoccasion，thehorseswereweakandtravelledslowly，sothepartywentforty-eighthourswithoutdrinking。\"February19th——Pulledontwenty-onemiles——trailbad——freezingnight，nowater，andwolvesafterourfreshmeat。20——Madenineteenmilesoverprairie；againonlymud，nowater，freezinghard——frightfulthirst。21st——ThirtymilestoClearFork，freshwater。\"Theseentrieswerehurriedlyjotteddownatthetime，byaboywhodeemeditunmanlytomakeanyespecialnoteofhardshiporsuffering；buteveryplainsmanwillunderstandtherealagonyimpliedinworkinghardfortwonights，oneday，andportionsoftwoothers，withoutwater，evenincoolweather。Duringthelastfewmilesthestaggeringhorseswereonlyjustabletodragthelightlyloadedwagon，——fortheyhadbutonewiththematthetime，——whilethemenploddedalonginsullensilence，theirmouthssoparchedthattheycouldhardlyutteraword。Myownhuntingandranchingweredoneinthenorthwherethereismorewater；soIhaveneverhadasimilarexperience。OnceItookateaminthirty-sixhoursacrossacountrywheretherewasnowater；butbygoodluckitrainedheavilyinthenight，sothatthehorseshadplentyofwetgrass，andIcaughttheraininmyslicker，andsohadenoughwaterformyself。Personally，I
havebutoncebeenaslongastwenty-sixhourswithoutwater。
ThepartypitchedtheirpermanentcampinacanyonoftheBrazosknownasCanyonBlanco。Thelastfewdaysoftheirjourneytheytravelledbesidetheriverthroughaveritablehunter’sparadise。Thedroughthadforcedalltheanimalstocometothelargerwater-courses，andthecountrywasliterallyswarmingwithgame。Everyday，andalldaylong，thewagonstravelledthroughtheherdsofantelopesthatgrazedoneveryside，while，whenevertheyapproachedthecanyonbrink，bandsofdeerstartedfromthetimberthatfringedtheriver’scourse；
often，eventhedeerwanderedoutontheprairiewiththeantelope。
Norwasthegameshy；forthehunters，bothredandwhite，followedonlythebuffaloes，untilthehuge，shaggyherdsweredestroyed，andthesmallerbeastswereinconsequencebutlittlemolested。
Oncemybrothershotfiveantelopesfromasinglestand，whenthepartywereshortoffreshvenison；hewasoutofsightandtoleeward，andtheantelopesseemedconfusedratherthanalarmedattherifle-
reportsandthefalloftheircompanions。Aswastobeexpectedwheregamewassoplenty，wolvesandcoyotesalsoabounded。Atnighttheysurroundedthecamp，wailingandhowlinginakindofshriekingchorusthroughoutthehoursofdarkness；onenighttheycameupsoclosethatthefrightenedhorseshadtobehobbledandguarded。Onanotheroccasionalargewolfactuallycreptintocamp，wherehewasseizedbythedogs，andtheyelling，writhingknotofcombatantsrolledoveroneofthesleepers；finally，thelong-toothedprowlermanagedtoshakehimselfloose，andvanishedinthegloom。Oneeveningtheywerealmostasmuchstartledbyavisitofadifferentkind。TheywerejustfinishingsupperwhenanIndianstalkedsuddenlyandsilentlyoutofthesurroundingdarkness，squatteddowninthecircleoffirelight，remarkedgravely，\"MeTonk，\"andbeganhelpinghimselffromthestew。
HebelongedtothefriendlytribeofTonkaways，sohishostsspeedilyrecoveredtheirequanimity；asforhim，hehadneverlosthis，andhesateatingbythefireuntiltherewasliterallynothinglefttoeat。
Thepaniccausedbyhisappearancewasnatural；foratthattimetheComancheswereascourgetotheBuffalo-hunters，ambushingthemandraidingtheircamps；andseveralbloodyfightshadtakenplace。
Theircamphadbeenpitchednearadeeppoolorwater-hole。Onbothsidesthebluffsroselikewalls，andwheretheyhadcrumbledandlosttheirsheerness，thevastbuffaloherds，passingandrepassingforcountlessgenerations，hadwornfurrowedtrailssodeepthatthebacksofthebeastswerebutlittleabovethesurroundingsoil。Inthebottom，andinplacesalongthecrestsofthecliffsthathemmedinthecanyon-likevalley，thereweregrovesoftangledtrees，tenantedbygreatflocksofwildturkeys。Oncemybrothermadetworeallyremarkableshotsatapairofthesegreatbirds。Itwasatdusk，andtheywereflyingdirectlyoverheadfromoneclifftotheother。Hehadinhishandathirty-eightcalibreBallardrifle，and，asthegobblerswingedtheirwayheavilyby，hebroughtbothdownwithtwosuccessivebullets。Thiswasofcoursemainlyapieceofmereluck；butitmeantgoodshooting，too。TheBallardwasaveryaccurate，handylittleweapon；itbelongedtome，andwasthefirstrifleIeverownedorused。WithitIhadoncekilledadeer，theonlyspecimenoflargegameIhadthenshot；andIpresentedtherifletomybrotherwhenhewenttoTexas。InourhappyignorancewedeemeditquitegoodenoughforBuffalooranythingelse；butoutontheplainsmybrothersoonfoundhimselfforcedtoprocureaheavierandmoredeadlyweapon。
Whencampwaspitchedthehorseswereturnedloosetograzeandrefreshthemselvesaftertheirtryingjourney，duringwhichtheyhadlostfleshwoefully。Theywerewatchedandtendedbythetwomenwhowerealwaysleftincamp，and，saveonrareoccasions，wereonlyusedtohaulinthebuffalohides。Thecamp-guardsforthetimebeingactedascooks；and，thoughcoffeeandflourbothranshortandfinallygaveout，freshmeatofeverykindwasabundant。Thecampwasneverwithoutbuffalo-beef，deerandantelopevenison，wildturkeys，prairie-
chickens，quails，ducks，andrabbits。Thebirdsweresimply\"potted，\"
asoccasionrequired；whenthequarrywasdeerorantelope，thehunterstookthedogswiththemtorundownthewoundedanimals。Butalmosttheentireattentionofthehunterswasgiventothebuffalo。
Afteraneveningspentinloungingroundthecampfireandasoundnight’ssleep，wrappedinrobesandblankets，theywouldgetupbeforedaybreak，snatchahurriedbreakfast，andstartoffincouplesthroughthechillydawn。Thegreatbeastswereveryplentiful；inthefirstday’shunttwentywereslain；buttheherdswererestlessandeveronthemove。Sometimestheywouldbeseenrightbythecamp，andagainitwouldneedanall-day’stramptofindthem。Therewasnodifficultyinspyingthem——thechieftroublewithforestgame；forontheprairieabuffalomakesnoefforttohideanditsblack，shaggybulkloomsupasfarastheeyecansee。Sometimestheywerefoundinsmallpartiesofthreeorfourindividuals，sometimesinbandsofabouttwohundred，andagainingreatherdsofmanythousands；andsolitaryoldbulls，expelledfromtheherds，werecommon。Ifonbrokenland，amongthehillsandravines，therewasnotmuchdifficultyinapproachingfromtheleeward；for，thoughthesenseofsmellinthebuffaloisveryacute，theydonotseewellatadistancethroughtheiroverhangingfrontletsofcoarseandmattedhair。If，aswasgenerallythecase，theywereoutintheopen，rollingprairie，thestalkingwasfarmoredifficult。Everyhollow，everyearthhummockandsagebushhadtobeusedascover。Thehunterwriggledthroughthegrassflatonhisface，pushinghimselfalongforperhapsaquarterofamilebyhistoesandfingers，heedlessofthespinycactus。Whennearenoughtothehuge，unconsciousquarrythehunterbeganfiring，stillkeepinghimselfcarefullyconcealed。Ifthesmokewasblownawaybythewind，andifthebuffaloescaughtnoglimpseoftheassailant，theywouldoftenstandmotionlessandstupiduntilmanyoftheirnumberhadbeenslain，thehunterbeingcarefulnottofiretoohigh，aimingjustbehindtheshoulder，aboutathirdofthewayupthebody，thathisbulletmightgothroughthelungs。Sometimes，evenaftertheysawtheman，theywouldactasifconfusedandpanic-struck，huddlingtogetherandstaringatthesmokepuffs；butgenerallytheywereoffatalumberinggallopassoonastheyhadanideaofthepointofdanger。Whenoncestarted，theyranformanymilesbeforehalting，andtheirpursuitonfootwasextremelylaborious。
Onemorningmycousinandbrotherhadbeenleftincampasguards。
Theyweresittingidlywarmingthemselvesinthefirstsunbeams，whentheirattentionwassharplydrawntofourbuffaloesthatwerecomingtothepooltodrink。Thebeastscamedownagametrail，adeeprutinthebluff，frontingwheretheyweresitting，andtheydidnotdaretostirforfearofbeingdiscovered。Thebuffaloeswalkedintothepool，andafterdrinkingtheirfill，stoodforsometimewiththewaterrunningoutoftheirmouths，idlylashingtheirsideswiththeirshorttails，enjoyingthebrightwarmthoftheearlysunshine；then，withmuchsplashingandthegurglingofsoftmud，theyleftthepoolandclamberedupthebluffwithunwieldyagility。Assoonastheyturned，mybrotherandcousinranfortheirrifles，butbeforetheygotbackthebuffaloeshadcrossedthebluffcrest。Climbingafterthem，thetwohuntersfound，whentheyreachedthesummit，thattheirgame，insteadofhalting，hadstruckstraightoffacrosstheprairieataslowlope，doubtlessintendingtorejointheherdtheyhadleft。Afteramoment’sconsultationthemenwentinpursuit，excitementovercomingtheirknowledgethattheyoughtnot，byrights，toleavecamp。Theystruckasteadytrot，followingtheanimalsbysightuntiltheypassedoveraknoll，andthentrailingthem。Wherethegrasswaslong，asitwasforthefirstfourorfivemiles，thiswasaworkofnodifficulty，andtheydidnotbreaktheirgait，onlyglancingnowandthenatthetrial。Asthesunroseandthedaybecamewarm，theirbreathinggrewquicker；andthesweatrolledofftheirfacesastheyranacrosstheroughprairiesward，upanddownthelonginclines，nowandthenshiftingtheirheavyriflesfromoneshouldertotheother。
Buttheywereingoodtraining，andtheydidnothavetohalt。Atlasttheyreachedstretchesofbareground，sun-bakedandgrassless，wherethetrailgrewdim；andheretheyhadtogoveryslowly，carefullyexaminingthefaintdentsandmarksmadeinthesoilbytheheavyhoofs，andunravellingthetrailfromthemassofoldfootmarks。Itwastediouswork，butitenabledthemtocompletelyrecovertheirbreathbythetimethattheyagainstruckthegrassland；andbutafewhundredyardsfromtheedge，inaslighthollow，theysawthefourbuffaloesjustenteringaherdoffiftyorsixtythatwerescatteredoutgrazing。Theherdpaidnoattentiontothenew-comers，andtheseimmediatelybegantofeedgreedily。Afterawhisperedconsultation，thetwohunterscreptback，andmadealongcirclethatbroughtthemwelltoleewardoftheherd，inlinewithaslightriseintheground。
Theythencrawleduptothisriseand，peeringthroughthetuftsoftall，rankgrass，sawtheunconsciousbeastsahundredandtwenty-fiveorfiftyyardsaway。Theyfiredtogether，eachmortallywoundinghisanimal，andthen，rushinginastheherdhaltedinconfusion，andfollowingthemastheyran，impededbynumbers，hurry，andpanic，theyeventuallygotthreemore。
Onanotheroccasionthesametwohuntersnearlymetwithafrightfuldeath，beingovertakenbyavastherdofstampededbuffaloes。Alltheanimalsthatgoinherdsaresubjecttotheseinstantaneousattacksofuncontrollableterror，undertheinfluenceofwhichtheybecomeperfectlymad，andrushheadlongindensemassesonanyformofdeath。
Horses，andmoreespeciallycattle，oftensufferfromstampedes；itisadangeragainstwhichthecowboysarecompelledtobeperpetuallyonguard。Abandofstampededhorses，sweepinginmadterrorupavalley，willdashagainstarockortreewithsuchviolenceastoleaveseveraldeadanimalsatitsbase，whilethesurvivorsraceonwithouthalting；theywilloverturnanddestroytentsandwagons，andamanonfootcaughtintherushhasbutasmallchanceforhislife。Abuffalostampedeismuchworse——orratherwasmuchworse，intheolddays——
becauseofthegreatweightandimmensenumbersofthebeasts，which，inafuryofheedlessterror，plungedovercliffsandintorivers，andboredownwhateverwasintheirpath。Ontheoccasioninquestion，mybrotherandcousinwereontheirwayhomeward。Theywerejustmountingoneofthelong，lowswells，intowhichtheprairiewasbroken，whentheyheardalow，muttering，rumblingnoise，likefar-offthunder。Itgrewsteadilylouder，and，notknowingwhatitmeant，theyhurriedforwardtothetopoftherise。Astheyreachedit，theystoppedshortinterrorandamazement，forbeforethemthewholeprairiewasblackwithmadlyrushingbuffaloes。
Afterwardtheylearnedthatanothercoupleofhunters，fourorfivemilesoff，hadfiredintoandstampededalargeherd。Thisherd，initsrush，gatheredothers，allthunderingalongtogetherinuncontrollableandincreasingpanic。
Thesurprisedhunterswerefarawayfromanybrokengroundorotherplaceofrefuge，whilethevastherdofhuge，plunging，maddenedbeastswaschargingstraightdownonthemnotaquarterofamiledistant。Downtheycame！——thousandsuponthousands，theirfrontextendingamileinbreadth，whiletheearthshookbeneaththeirthunderousgallop，and，astheycamecloser，theirshaggyfrontletsloomeddimlythroughthecolumnsofdustthrownupfromthedrysoil。
Thetwohuntersknewthattheironlyhopeforlifewastosplittheherd，which，thoughithadsobroadafront，wasnotverydeep。Iftheyfailedtheywouldinevitablybetrampledtodeath。
Waitinguntilthebeastswereincloserange，theyopenedarapidfirefromtheirheavybreech-loadingrifles，yellingatthetopoftheirvoices。Foramomenttheresultseemeddoubtful。Thelinethunderedsteadilydownonthem；thenitswayedviolently，astwoorthreeofthebrutesimmediatelyinfrontfellbeneaththebullets，whiletheirneighborsmadeviolenteffortstopressoffsideways。Thenanarrowwedge-shapedriftappearedintheline，andwidenedasitcamecloser，andthebuffaloes，shrinkingfromtheirfoesinfront，strovedesperatelytoedgeawayfromthedangerousneighborhood；theshoutsandshotswereredoubled；thehunterswerealmostchokedbythecloudofdust，throughwhichtheycouldseethestreamofdarkhugebodiespassingwithinrifle-lengthoneitherside；andinamomenttheperilwasover，andthetwomenwereleftaloneontheplain，unharmed，thoughwiththeirnervesterriblyshaken。Theherdcareeredontowardthehorizon，savefiveindividualswhichhadbeenkilledordisabledbytheshots。
Onanotheroccasion，whenmybrotherwasoutwithoneofhisfriends，theyfiredatasmallherdcontaininganoldbull；thebullchargedthesmoke，andthewholeherdfollowedhim。Probablytheyweresimplystampeded，andhadnohostileintention；atanyrate，afterthedeathoftheirleader，theyrushedbywithoutdoinganydamage。
Butbuffaloessometimeschargedwiththeutmostdetermination，andwerethendangerousantagonists。Mycousin，averyhardyandresolutehunter，hadanarrowescapefromawoundedcowwhichhehadfollowedupasteepblufforsandcliff。Justashereachedthesummit，hewascharged，andwasonlysavedbythesuddenappearanceofhisdog，whichdistractedthecow’sattention。Hethusescapedwithonlyatumbleandafewbruises。
Mybrotheralsocameinforacharge，whilekillingthebiggestbullthatwasslainbyanyoftheparty。Hewasoutalone，andsawasmallherdofcowsandcalvesatsomedistance，withahugebullamongthem，toweringabovethemlikeagiant。Therewasnobreakintheground，noranytreenorbushnearthem，but，bymakingahalf-circle，mybrothermanagedtocreepupagainstthewindbehindaslightrollintheprairiesurface，untilhewaswithinseventy-fiveyardsofthegrazingandunconsciousbeasts。Thereweresomecowsandcalvesbetweenhimandthebull，andhehadtowaitsomemomentsbeforetheyshiftedposition，astheherdgrazedonwardandgavehimafairshot；
intheintervaltheyhadmovedsofarforwardthathewasinplainview。Hisfirstbulletstruckjustbehindtheshoulders；theherdstartedandlookedaround，butthebullmerelyliftedhisheadandtookastepforward，histailcurledupoverhisback。Thenextbulletlikewisestruckfair，nearlyinthesameplace，tellingwithaloud\"pack！\"againstthethickhide，andmakingthedustflyupfromthemattedhair。Instantlythegreatbullwheeledandchargedinheadlonganger，whiletheherdfledintheoppositedirection。Onthebareprairie，withnospotofrefuge，itwasuselesstotrytoescape，andthehunter，withreloadedrifle，waiteduntilthebullwasnotfaroff，thendrewuphisweaponandfired。Eitherhewasnervous，orthebullatthemomentboundedoversomeobstacle，forthebulletwentalittlewild；nevertheless，bygoodluck，itbrokeafore-leg，andthegreatbeastcamecrashingtotheearth，andwasslainbeforeitcouldstruggletoitsfeet。
Twodaysafterthiseven，awarpartyofComanchessweptdownalongtheriver。They\"jumped\"aneighboringcamp，killingonemanandwoundingtwomore，andatthesametimeranoffallbutthreeofthehorsesbelongingtooureightadventurers。Withtheremainingthreehorsesandonewagontheysetouthomeward。Themarchwashardandtedious；theylosttheirwayandwereinjeopardyfromquicksandsandcloudbursts；theysufferedfromthirstandcold，theirshoesgaveout，andtheirfeetwerelamedbycactusspines。AtlasttheyreachedFortGriffeninsafety，andgreatwastheirravenousrejoicingwhentheyprocuredsomebread——forduringthefinalfortnightofthehunttheyhadbeenwithoutflourorvegetablesofanykind，orevencoffee，andhadsubsistedonfreshmeat\"straight。\"Nevertheless，itwasaveryhealthy，aswellasaverypleasantandexcitingexperience；andI
doubtifanyofthosewhotookpartinitwilleverforgettheirgreatbuffalo-huntontheBrazos。
Myfriend，Gen。W。H。Walker，ofVirginia，hadanexperienceintheearly’50’swithbuffaloesontheupperArkansasRiver，whichgivessomeideaoftheirenormousnumbersatthattime。Hewascampedwithascoutingpartyonthebanksoftheriver，andhadgoneouttotrytoshootsomemeat。Thereweremanybuffaloesinsight，scattered，accordingtotheircustom，inlargebands。Whenhewasamileortwoawayfromtheriveradullroaringsoundinthedistanceattractedhisattention，andhesawthataherdofbuffalofartothesouth，awayfromtheriver，hadbeenstampededandwasrunninghisway。Heknewthatifhewascaughtintheopenbythestampededherdhischanceforlifewouldbesmall，andatonceranfortheriver。Bydesperateeffortshereachedthebreaksinthesheerbanksjustasthebuffaloesreachedthem，andgotintoapositionofsafetyonthepinnacleofalittlebluff。Fromthispointofvantagehecouldseetheentireplain。Totheveryvergeofthehorizonthebrownmassesofthebuffalobandsshowedthroughthedustclouds，comingonwithathunderousroarlikethatofsurf。Campwasamileaway，andthestampedeluckilypassedtoonesideofit。Watchinghischancehefinallydodgedbacktothetent，andallthatafternoonwatchedtheimmensemassesofbuffalo，asbandafterbandtoretothebrinkofthebluffsononeside，raceddownthem，rushedthroughthewater，upthebluffsontheotherside，andagainoffovertheplain，churningthesandy，shallowstreamintoaceaselesstumult。Whendarknessfelltherewasnoapparentdecreaseinthenumbersthatwerepassing，andallthroughthatnightthecontinuousroarshowedthattheherdswerestillthreshingacrosstheriver。Towardsdawnthesoundatlastceased，andGeneralWalkerarosesomewhatirritated，ashehadreckonedonkillinganamplesupplyofmeat，andhesupposedthattherewouldbenownobisonleftsouthoftheriver。Tohisastonishment，whenhestrolleduponthebluffsandlookedovertheplain，itwasstillcoveredfarandwidewithgroupsofbuffalo，grazingquietly。Apparentlytherewereasmanyonthatsideasever，inspiteofthemanyscoresofthousandsthatmusthavecrossedovertheriverduringthestampedeoftheafternoonandnight。Thebarren-
groundcaribouistheonlyAmericananimalwhichisnoweverseeninsuchenormousherds。
In1862Mr。ClarenceKing，whileridingalongtheoverlandtrailthroughwesternKansas，passedthroughagreatbuffaloherd，andwashimselfinjuredinanencounterwithabull。Thegreatherdwasthenpassingnorth，andMr。Kingreckonedthatitmusthavecoveredanareanearlyseventymilesbythirtyinextent；thefiguresrepresentinghisroughguess，madeaftertravellingthroughtheherdcrosswise，anduponknowinghowlongittooktopassagivenpointgoingnorthward。
Thisgreatherdofcoursewasnotasolidmassofbuffaloes；itconsistedofinnumerablebandsofeverysize，dottingtheprairiewithinthelimitsgiven。Mr。Kingwasmountedonasomewhatunmanageablehorse。Ononeoccasioninfollowingabandhewoundedalargebull，andbecamesowedgedinbythemaddenedanimalsthathewasunabletoavoidthechargeofthebull，whichwasatitslastgasp。Comingstraighttowardhimitleapedintotheairandstrucktheafterpartofthesaddlefullwithitsmassiveforehead。Thehorsewashurledtothegroundwithabrokenback，andKing’slegwaslikewisebroken，whilethebullturnedacompletesomersetoverthemandneverroseagain。
IntherecessesoftheRockyMountains，fromColoradonorthwardthroughAlberta，andinthedepthsofthesubarcticforestbeyondtheSaskatchewan，therehavealwaysbeenfoundsmallnumbersofthebison，locallycalledthemountainbuffaloandwoodbuffalo；oftenindeedtheoldhunterstermtheseanimals\"bison，\"althoughtheyneverspeakoftheplainsanimalssaveasbuffalo。Theyformaslightvarietyofwhatwasformerlytheordinaryplainsbison，intergradingwithit；onthewholetheyaredarkerincolor，withlonger，thickerhair，andinconsequencewiththeappearanceofbeingheavier-bodiedandshorter-
legged。Theyhavebeensometimesspokenofasformingaseparatespecies；but，judgingfrommyownlimitedexperience，andfromacomparisonofthemanyhidesIhaveseen，Ithinktheyarereallythesameanimal，manyindividualsofthetwoso-calledvarietiesbeingquiteindistinguishable。Infact，theonlymoderate-sizedherdofwildbisoninexistenceto-day，theprotectedherdintheYellowstonePark，iscomposedofanimalsintermediateinhabitsandcoatbetweenthemountainandplainsvarieties——aswerealltheherdsoftheBighorn，BigHole，UpperMadison，andUpperYellowstonevalleys。
However，thehabitatofthesewoodandmountainbisonyieldedthemshelterfromhuntersinawaythattheplainsnevercould，andhencetheyhavealwaysbeenhardertokillintheoneplacethanintheother；forpreciselythesamereasonsthathaveheldgoodwiththeelk，whichhavebeencompletelyexterminatedfromtheplains，whilestillabundantinmanyoftheforestfastnessesoftheRockies。
Moreover，thebison’sdulleyesightisnospecialharminthewoods，whileitispeculiarlyhurtfultothesafetyofanybeastontheplains，whereeyesightavailsmorethananyothersense，thetruegameoftheplainsbeingtheprong-buck，themostkeen-sightedofAmericananimals。Ontheotherhandthebison’shearing，oflittleavailontheplains，isofmuchassistanceinthewoods；anditsexcellentnosehelpsequallyinbothplaces。
Thoughitwasalwaysmoredifficulttokillthebisonoftheforestsandthemountainsthanthebisonoftheprairie，yetnowthatthespeciesis，initswildstate，hoveringonthebrinkofextinction，thedifficultyisimmeasurablyincreased。Amercilessandterribleprocessofnaturalselection，inwhichtheagentswererifle-bearinghunters，hasleftasthelastsurvivorsinahopelessstruggleforexistenceonlythewariestofthebisonandthosegiftedwiththesharpestsenses。ThatthiswastrueofthelastlingeringindividualsthatsurvivedthegreatslaughterontheplainsiswellshownbyMr。
Hornadayinhisgraphicaccountofhiscampaignagainstthefewscatteredbuffalowhichstilllivedin1886betweentheMissouriandtheYellowstone，alongtheBigDry。Thebisonoftheplainsandtheprairieshavenowvanished；andsofewoftheirbrethrenofthemountainsandthenorthernforestsareleft，thattheycanjustbarelybereckonedamongAmericangame；butwhoeverissofortunateastofindanyoftheseanimalsmustworkhishardest，andshowallhisskillasahunterifhewishestogetone。
Inthefallof1889IheardthataveryfewbisonwerestillleftaroundtheheadofWisdomriver。ThitherIwentandhuntedfaithfully；
therewasplentyofgameofotherkind，butofbisonnotatracedidwesee。NeverthelessafewdayslaterthatsameyearIcameacrossthesegreatwildcattleatatimewhenIhadnoideaofseeingthem。
Itwas，asnearlyaswecouldtell，inIdaho，justsouthoftheMontanaboundaryline，andsometwenty-fivemileswestofthelineofWyoming。Wewerecampedhighamongthemountains，withasmallpack-
train。Onthedayinquestionwehadgoneouttofindmoose，buthadseennosignofthem，andhadthenbeguntoclimboverthehigherpeakswithanideaofgettingsheep。Theoldhunterwhowaswithmewas，veryfortunately，sufferingfromrheumatism，andhethereforecarriedalongstaffinsteadofhisrifle；Isayfortunately，forifhehadcarriedhisrifleitwouldhavebeenimpossibletostophisfiringatsuchgameasbison，norwouldhehavesparedthecowsandcalves。
Aboutthemiddleoftheafternoonwecrossedalow，rockyridge，abovetimberline，andsawatourfeetabasinorroundvalleyofsingularbeauty。Itswallswereformedbysteepmountains。Atitsupperendlayasmalllake，borderedononesidebyameadowofemeraldgreen。Thelake’sothersidemarkedtheedgeofthefrowningpineforestwhichfilledtherestofthevalley，andhunghighonthesidesofthegorgewhichformeditsoutlet。Beyondthelakethegroundroseinapassevidentlymuchfrequentedbygameinbygonedays，theirtrailslyingalongitinthickzigzags，eachgraduallyfadingoutafterafewhundredyards，andthenstartingagaininalittledifferentplace，asgametrailssooftenseemtodo。
Webentourstepstowardthesetrails，andnosoonerhadwereachedthefirstthantheoldhunterbentoveritwithasharpexclamationofwonder。Thereinthedustweretheunmistakablehoof-marksofasmallbandofbison，apparentlybutafewhoursold。Theywereheadedtowardsthelake。Therehadbeenahalfadozenanimalsintheparty；
oneabigbull，andtwocalves。
Weimmediatelyturnedandfollowedthetrail。Itleddowntothelittlelake，wherethebeastshadspreadandgrazedonthetender，greenblades，andhaddrunktheirfill。Thefootprintsthencametogetheragain，showingwheretheanimalshadgatheredandwalkedoffinsinglefiletotheforest。Evidentlytheyhadcometothepoolintheearlymorning，walkingoverthegamepassfromsomeneighboringvalley，andafterdrinkingandfeedinghadmovedintothepineforesttofindsomespotfortheirnoontiderest。
Itwasaverystillday，andtherewerenearlythreehoursofdaylightleft。Withoutawordmysilentcompanion，whohadbeenscanningthewholecountrywithhawk-eyedeagerness，besidesscrutinizingthesignonhishandsandknees，tookthetrail，motioningmetofollow。Inamomentweenteredthewoods，breathingasighofreliefaswedidso；
forwhileinthemeadowwecouldnevertellthatthebuffalomightnotseeus，iftheyhappenedtobelyinginsomeplacewithacommandinglookout。
Theoldhunterwasthoroughlyroused，andheshowedhimselfaveryskilfultracker。Weweremuchfavoredbythecharacteroftheforest，whichwasratheropen，andinmostplacesfreefromundergrowthanddowntimber。AsinmostRockyMountainforeststhetimberwassmall，notonlyascomparedtothegianttreesofthegrovesofthePacificcoast，butascomparedtotheforestsofthenortheast。Thegroundwascoveredwithpineneedlesandsoftmoss，sothatitwasnotdifficulttowalknoiselessly。OnceortwicewhenItrodonasmalldrytwig，orletthenailsinmyshoesclinkslightlyagainstastone，thehunterturnedtomewithafrownofangryimpatience；butashewalkedslowly，continuallyhaltingtolookahead，aswellasstoopingovertoexaminethetrail，Ididnotfinditverydifficulttomovesilently。
Ikeptalittlebehindhim，andtooneside，savewhenhecrouchedtotakeadvantageofsomepieceofcover，andIcreptinhisfootsteps。I
didnotlookatthetrailatall，butkeptwatchingahead，hopingatanymomenttoseethegame。
Itwasnotverylongbeforewestrucktheirdaybeds，whichweremadeonaknoll，wheretheforestwasopenandwheretherewasmuchdowntimber。Afterleavingthedaybedstheanimalshadatfirstfedseparatelyaroundthegrassybaseandsidesoftheknoll，andhadthenmadeoffintheirusualsinglefile，goingstraighttoasmallpoolintheforest。Afterdrinkingtheyhadleftthispool，andtravelleddowntowardsthegorgeatthemouthofthebasin，thetrailleadingalongthesidesofthesteephill，whichweredottedbyopenglades；whiletheroarofthecataractsbywhichthestreamwasbroken，ascendedfrombelow。Herewemovedwithredoubledcaution，forthesignhadgrownveryfreshandtheanimalshadoncemorescatteredandbegunfeeding。Whenthetrailledacrossthegladesweusuallyskirtedthemsoastokeepinthetimber。
Atlast，onnearingtheedgeofoneofthesegladeswesawamovementamongtheyoungtreesontheotherside，notfiftyyardsaway。Peeringthroughthesafeshelteryieldedbysomethickevergreenbushes，wespeedilymadeoutthreebison，acow，acalf，andayearling，grazinggreedilyontheothersideoftheglade，underthefringingtimber；
allwiththeirheadsuphill。Soonanothercowandcalfsteppedoutafterthem。Ididnotwishtoshoot，waitingfortheappearanceofthebigbullwhichIknewwasaccompanyingthem。
SoforseveralminutesIwatchedthegreat，clumsy，shaggybeasts，asallunconscioustheygrazedintheopenglade。Behindthemrosethedarkpines。Attheleftofthegladethegroundfellawaytoformthesideofachasm；downinitsdepthsthecataractsfoamedandthundered；beyond，thehugemountainstowered，theircrestscrimsonedbythesinkingsun。MixedwiththeeagerexcitementofthehunterwasacertainhalfmelancholyfeelingasIgazedonthesebison，themselvespartofthelastremnantofadoomedandnearlyvanishedrace。Few，indeed，arethemenwhonowhave，orevermoreshallhave，thechanceofseeingthemightiestofAmericanbeasts，inallhiswildvigor，surroundedbythetremendousdesolationofhisfar-offmountainhome。
Atlast，whenIhadbeguntogrowveryanxiouslesttheothersshouldtakealarm，thebulllikewiseappearedontheedgeoftheglade，andstoodwithoutstretchedhead，scratchinghisthroatagainstayoungtree，whichshookviolently。Iaimedlow，behindhisshoulder，andpulledtrigger。Atthecrackoftherifleallthebison，withoutthemomentaryhaltofterror-strucksurprisesocommonamonggame，turnedandracedoffatheadlongspeed。Thefringeofyoungpinesbeyondandbelowthegladecrackedandswayedasifawhirlwindwerepassing，andinanothermomenttheyreachedthetopofaverysteepincline，thicklystrewnwithbouldersanddeadtimber。Downthistheyplungedwithrecklessspeed；theirsurefootednesswasamarvelinsuchseeminglyunwieldybeasts。Acolumnofdustobscuredtheirpassage，andunderitscovertheydisappearedintheforest；butthetrailofthebullwasmarkedbysplashesoffrothyblood，andwefolloweditatatrot。Fiftyyardsbeyondtheborderoftheforestwefoundthestarkblackbodystretchedmotionless。Hewasasplendidoldbull，stillinhisfullvigor，withlarge，sharphorns，andheavymaneandglossycoat；andIfeltthemostexultingprideasIhandledandexaminedhim；forIhadprocuredatrophysuchascanfallhenceforthtofewhuntersindeed。
Itwastoolatetodressthebeastthatevening；so，aftertakingoutthetongueandcuttingoffenoughmeatforsupperandbreakfast，wescrambleddowntonearthetorrent，andaftersomesearchfoundagoodspotforcamping。Hotanddustyfromtheday’shardtramp，Iundressedandtookaplungeinthestream，theicywatermakingmegasp。Then，havingbuiltaslightlean-toofbrush，anddraggedtogetherenoughdeadtimbertoburnallnight，wecutlongaldertwigs，satdownbeforesomeembersrakedapart，andgrilledandateourbuffalomeatwiththeutmostrelish。Nighthadfallen；acoldwindblewupthevalley；thetorrentroaredasitleapedpastus，anddrownedourwordsaswestrovetotalkoverouradventuresandsuccess；whiletheflameofthefireflickeredanddanced，lightingupwithcontinualvividflashesthegloomoftheforestroundabout。
CHAPTERII。
THEBLACKBEAR。
NexttothewhitetaildeertheblackbearisthecommonestandmostwidelydistributedofAmericanbiggame。ItisstillfoundquiteplentifullyinnorthernNewEngland，intheAdirondacks，Catskills，andalongtheentirelengthoftheAlleghanies，aswellasintheswampsandcanebrakesofthesouthernStates。ItisalsocommoninthegreatforestsofnorthernMichigan，Wisconsin，andMinnesota，andthroughouttheRockyMountainsandthetimberedrangesofthePacificcoast。IntheEastithasalwaysrankedsecondonlytothedeeramongthebeastsofchase。Thebearandthebuckwerethestapleobjectsofpursuitofalltheoldhunters。TheyweremoreplentifulthanthebisonandelkeveninthelongvanisheddayswhenthesetwogreatmonarchsoftheforeststillrangedeastwardtoVirginiaandPennsylvania。Thewolfandthecougarwerealwaystooscarceandtooshytoyieldmuchprofittothehunters。Theblackbearisatimid，cowardlyanimal，andusuallyavegetarian，thoughitsometimespreysonthesheep，hogs，andevencattleofthesettler，andisveryfondofraidinghiscornandmelons。Itsmeatisgoodanditsfuroftenvaluable；andinitschasethereismuchexcitement，andoccasionallyaslightspiceofdanger，justenoughtorenderitattractive；soithasalwaysbeeneagerlyfollowed。Yetitstillholdsitsown，thoughingreatlydiminishednumbers，inthemorethinlysettledportionsofthecountry。OneofthestandingriddlesofAmericanzoologyisthefactthattheblackbear，whichiseasierkilledandlessprolificthanthewolf，shouldholditsowninthelandbetterthanthelatter，thisbeingdirectlythereverseofwhatoccursinEurope，wherethebrownbearisgenerallyexterminatedbeforethewolf。
InafewwildspotsintheEast，innorthernMaineforinstance，hereandthereintheneighborhoodoftheupperGreatLakes，intheeastTennesseeandKentuckymountainsandtheswampsofFloridaandMississippi，therestilllingersanoccasionalrepresentativeoftheoldwildernesshunters。Thesemenliveinlog-cabinsinthewilderness。Theydotheirhuntingonfoot，occasionallywiththehelpofasingletrailingdog。InMainetheyareasapttokillmooseandcaribouasbearanddeer；butelsewherethetwolast，withanoccasionalcougarorwolf，arethebeastsofchasewhichtheyfollow。
Nowadaysastheseoldhuntersdiethereisnoonetotaketheirplaces，thoughtherearestillplentyofbackwoodssettlersinalloftheregionsnamedwhodoagreatdealofhuntingandtrapping。Suchanoldhunterrarelymakeshisappearanceatthesettlementsexcepttodisposeofhispeltryandhidesinexchangeforcartridgesandprovisions，andheleadsalifeofsuchlonelyisolationastoinsurehisindividualcharacteristicsdevelopingintopeculiarities。MostofthewilderdistrictsintheeasternStatesstillpreservememoriesofsomesucholdhunterwholivedhislonglifealone，wagingceaselesswarfareonthevanishinggame，whoseoddities，aswellashiscourage，hardihood，andwoodcraft，arelaughinglyrememberedbytheoldersettlers，andwhoisusuallybestknownashavingkilledthelastwolforbearorcougareverseeninthelocality。
Generallytheweaponmainlyreliedonbytheseoldhuntersistherifle；andoccasionallysomeoldhunterwillbefoundeventothisdaywhousesamuzzleloader，suchasKitCarsoncarriedinthemiddleofthecentury。Thereareexceptionstothisruleoftheriflehowever。
IntheyearsaftertheCivilWaroneofthemanynotedhuntersofsouthwestVirginiaandeastTennesseewasWilberWaters，sometimescalledTheHunterofWhiteTop。Heoftenkilledblackbearwithaknifeanddogs。Hespentallhislifeinhuntingandwasverysuccessful，killingthelastgangofwolvestobefoundinhisneighborhood；andheslewinnumerablebears，withnoworseresultstohimselfthananoccasionalbiteorscratch。
InthesouthernStatestheplanterslivinginthewilderregionshavealwaysbeeninthehabitoffollowingtheblackbearwithhorseandhound，manyofthemkeepingregularpacksofbearhounds。Suchapackincludesnotonlypure-bredhounds，butalsocross-bredanimals，andsomesharp，agile，hard-bitingfiercedogsandterriers。Theyfollowthebearandbringhimtobaybutdonottrytokillhim，althoughtherearedogsofthebigfightingbreedswhichcanreadilymasterablackbearifloosedathimthreeorfouratatime；butthedogsofthesesouthernbear-houndpacksarenotfittedforsuchwork，andiftheytrytoclosewiththebearheiscertaintoplayhavocwiththem，disembowelingthemwithblowsofhispawsorseizingtheminhisarmsandbitingthroughtheirspinesorlegs。Theridersfollowthehoundsthroughthecanebrakes，andalsotrytomakecutoffsandstationthemselvesatopenpointswheretheythinkthebearwillpass，sothattheymaygetashotathim。Theweaponsusedarerifles，shotguns，andoccasionallyrevolvers。
Sometimes，however，thehunterusestheknife。GeneralWadeHampton，whohasprobablykilledmoreblackbearsthananyothermanlivingintheUnitedStates，frequentlyusedtheknife，slayingthirtyorfortywiththisweapon。Hisplanwas，whenhefoundthatthedogshadthebearatbay，towalkupcloseandcheerthemon。Theywouldinstantlyseizethebearinabody，andhewouldthenrushinandstabitbehindtheshoulder，reachingoversoastoinflictthewoundontheoppositesidefromthatwherehestood。Heescapedscathlessfromalltheseencounterssaveone，inwhichhewasratherseverelytornintheforearm。Manyotherhuntershaveusedtheknife，butperhapsnonesofrequentlyashe；forhewasalwaysfondofsteel，aswitnesshisfeatswiththe\"whitearm\"duringtheCivilWar。
GeneralHamptonalwayshuntedwithlargepacksofhounds，managedsometimesbyhimselfandsometimesbyhisnegrohunters。Heoccasionallytookoutfortydogsatatime。Hefoundthatallhisdogstogethercouldnotkillabigfatbear，buttheyoccasionallykilledthree-year-olds，orleanandpoorbears。Duringthecourseofhislifehehashimselfkilled，orbeeninatthedeathof，fivehundredbears，atleasttwothirdsofthemfallingbyhisownhand。Intheyearjustbeforethewarhehadononeoccasion，inMississippi，killedsixty-
eightbearsinfivemonths。Oncehekilledfourbearsinaday；atanothertimethree，andfrequentlytwo。Thetwolargestbearshehimselfkilledweighed，respectively，408and410pounds。TheywerebothshotinMississippi。Buthesawatleastonebearkilledwhichwasmuchlargerthaneitherofthese。Thesefiguresweretakendownatthetime，whentheanimalswereactuallyweighedonthescales。MostofhishuntingforbearwasdoneinnorthernMississippi，whereoneofhisplantationswassituated，nearGreenville。Duringthehalfcenturythathehunted，onandoff，inthisneighborhood，heknewoftwoinstanceswherehunterswerefatallywoundedinthechaseoftheblackbear。Bothofthemenwereinexperienced，onebeingaraftsmanwhocamedowntheriver，andtheotheramanfromVicksburg。Hewasnotabletolearntheparticularsinthelastcase，buttheraftsmancametooclosetoabearthatwasatbay，anditbrokethroughthedogs，rushedatandoverthrewhim，thenlyingonhim，itbithimdeeplyinthethigh，throughthefemoralartery，sothathespeedilybledtodeath。
Butablackbearisnotusuallyaformidableopponent，andthoughhewillsometimeschargehomeheismuchmoreapttoblusterandbullythanactuallytocometoclosequarters。Imyselfhavebutonceseenamanwhohadbeenhurtbyoneofthesebears。ThiswasanIndian。Hehadcomeonthebeastcloseupinathickwood，andhadmortallywoundeditwithhisgun；ithadthenclosedwithhim，knockingthegunoutofhishand，sothathewasforcedtousehisknife。Itchargedhimonallfours，butinthegrapple，whenithadfailedtothrowhimdown，itraiseditselfonitshindlegs，claspinghimacrosstheshoulderswithitsfore-paws。Apparentlyithadnointentionofhugging，butmerelysoughttodrawhimwithinreachofhisjaws。Hefoughtdesperatelyagainstthis，usingtheknifefreely，andstrivingtokeepitsheadback；andtheflowofbloodweakenedtheanimal，sothatitfinallyfellexhausted，beforebeingabledangerouslytoinjurehim。Butithadbittenhisleftarmveryseverely，anditsclawshadmadelonggashesonhisshoulders。
Blackbears，likegrislies，varygreatlyintheirmodesofattack。
Sometimestheyrushinandbite；andagaintheystrikewiththeirfore-paws。TwoofmycowboyswereoriginallyfromMaine，whereIknewthemwell。Theretheywerefondoftrappingbearsandcaughtagoodmany。Thehugesteelgins，attachedbychainstoheavyclogs，preventedthetrappedbeastsfromgoingfar；andwhenfoundtheywerealwaystiedtightroundsometreeorbush，andusuallynearlyexhausted。Themenkilledthemeitherwithalittle32-calibrepistolorahatchet。Butoncedidtheymeetwithanydifficulty。Onthisoccasiononeofthemincautiouslyapproachedacapturedbeartoknockitontheheadwithhishatchet，buttheanimalmanagedtopartiallyuntwistitself，andwithitsfreefore-armmadearapidsweepathim；
hejumpedbackjustintime，thebear’sclawstearinghisclothes——
afterwhichheshotit。Bearsareshyandhaveverykeennoses；theyarethereforehardtokillbyfairhunting，living，astheygenerallydo，indenseforestsorthickbrush。Theyareeasyenoughtotrap，however。Thus，thesetwomen，thoughtheytrappedsomany，neverbutoncekilledtheminanyotherway。Onthisoccasiononeofthem，inthewinter，foundinagreathollowlogadenwhereasheandtwowell-growncubshadtakenuptheirabode，andshotallthreewithhisrifleastheyburstout。
Wheretheyaremuchhunted，bearbecomepurelynocturnal；butinthewilderforestsIhaveseenthemabroadatallhours，thoughtheydonotmuchrelishtheintenseheatofnoon。Theyarerathercomicalanimalstowatchfeedingandgoingabouttheordinarybusinessoftheirlives。OnceIspenthalfanhourlyingattheedgeofawoodandlookingatablackbearsomethreehundredyardsoffacrossanopenglade。Itwasingoodstalkingcountry，butthewindwasunfavorableandIwaitedforittoshift——waitedtoolongasitproved，forsomethingfrightenedthebeastandhemadeoffbeforeIcouldgetashotathim。WhenIfirstsawhimhewasshufflingalongandrootingintheground，sothathelookedlikeagreatpig。Thenhebegantoturnoverthestonesandlogstohuntforinsects，smallreptiles，andthelike。Amoderate-sizedstonehewouldturnoverwithasingleclapofhispaw，andthenplungehisnosedownintothehollowtogobbleupthesmallcreaturesbeneathwhilestilldazedbythelight。Thebiglogsandrockshewouldtugandworryatwithbothpaws；once，over-
exertinghisclumsystrength，helosthisgripandrolledcleanonhisback。Undersomeofthelogsheevidentlyfoundmiceandchipmunks；
then，assoonasthelogwasoverturned，hewouldbeseenjumpingaboutwithgrotesqueagility，andmakingquickdabshereandthere，asthelittle，scurryingrodentturnedandtwisted，untilatlastheputhispawonitandscoopeditupintohismouth。Sometimes，probablywhenhesmeltthemiceunderneath，hewouldcautiouslyturnthelogoverwithonepaw，holdingtheotherliftedandreadytostrike。Nowandthenhewouldhaltandsnifftheairineverydirection，anditwasafteroneofthesehaltsthathesuddenlyshuffledoffintothewoods。
Blackbearsgenerallyfeedonberries，nuts，insects，carrion，andthelike；butattimestheytaketokillingverylargeanimals。Infact，theyarecuriouslyirregularintheirfood。Theywillkilldeeriftheycangetatthem；butgenerallythedeeraretooquick。Sheepandhogsaretheirfavoriteprey，especiallythelatter，forbearsseemtohaveaspecialrelishforpork。TwiceIhaveknownablackbearkillcattle。Oncethevictimwasabullwhichhadgotmired，andwhichthebeardeliberatelyproceededtoeatalive，heedlessofthebellowsoftheunfortunatebeast。Ontheotheroccasion，acowwassurprisedandslainamongsomebushesattheedgeofaremotepasture。Inthespring，soonafterthelongwintersleep，theyareveryhungry，andareespeciallyapttoattacklargebeastsatthistime；althoughduringtheveryfirstdaysoftheirappearance，whentheyarejustbreakingtheirfast，theyeatrathersparingly，andbypreferencethetendershootsofgreengrassandotherherbs，orfrogsandcrayfish；
itisnotforaweekortwothattheyseemtobeovercomebylean，ravenoushunger。Theywillevenattackandmasterthatformidablefighterthemoose，springingatitfromanambushasitpasses——forabullmoosewouldsurelybeanovermatchforoneofthemiffrontedfairlyintheopen。Anoldhunter，whomIcouldtrust，toldmethathehadseeninthesnowinearlyspringtheplacewhereabearhadsprungattwomoose，whichweretrottingtogether；hemissedhisspring，andthemoosegotoff，theirstridesaftertheysettleddownintotheirpacebeingtremendous，andshowinghowthoroughlytheywerefrightened。Anothertimehesawabearchaseamooseintoalake，whereitwadedoutalittledistance，andthenturnedtobay，biddingdefiancetohispursuer，thelatternotdaringtoapproachinthewater。Ihavebeentold——butcannotvouchforit——thatinstanceshavebeenknownwherethebear，maddenedbyhunger，hasgoneinonamoosethusstandingatbay，onlytobebeatendownunderthewaterbytheterriblefore-hoofsofthequarry，andtoyielditslifeinthecontest。Alumbermantoldmethatheoncesawamoose，evidentlymuchstartled，trotthroughaswamp，andimmediatelyafterwardsabearcameupfollowingthetracks。Healmostranintotheman，andwasevidentlynotinagoodtemper，forhegrowledandblustered，andtwoorthreetimesmadefeintsofcharging，beforehefinallyconcludedtogooff。
Bearswilloccasionallyvisithunters’orlumberman’scamps，intheabsenceoftheowners，andplaysadhavocwithallthatthereinis，devouringeverythingeatable，especiallyifsweet，andtramplingintoadirtymesswhatevertheydonoteat。Theblackbeardoesnotaveragemuchmorethanathirdthesizeofthegrisly；but，likeallitskind，itvariesgreatlyinweight。ThelargestImyselfeversawweighedwasinMaine，andtippedthescaleat346pounds；butIhaveaperfectlyauthenticrecordofoneinMainethatweighed397，andmyfriend，Dr。
HartMerriam，tellsmethathehasseenseveralintheAdirondacksthatwhenkilledweighedabout350。
Ihavemyselfshotbutoneortwoblackbears，andthesewereobtainedundercircumstancesofnospecialinterest，asImerelystumbledonthemwhileafterothergame，andkilledthembeforetheyhadachanceeithertorunorshowfight。