CHAPTERIII。
OLDEPHRAIM，THEGRISLYBEAR。
ThekingofthegamebeastsoftemperateNorthAmerica，becausethemostdangeroustothehunter，isthegrislybear；knowntothefewremainingold-timetrappersoftheRockiesandtheGreatPlains，sometimesas\"OldEphraim\"andsometimesas\"MoccasinJoe\"——thelastinallusiontohisqueer，half-humanfootprints，whichlookasifmadebysomemishapengiant，walkinginmoccasins。
Bearvarygreatlyinsizeandcolor，nolessthanintemperandhabits。Oldhuntersspeakmuchofthemintheirendlesstalksoverthecampfiresandinthesnow-boundwinterhuts。Theyinsistonmanyspecies；notmerelytheblackandthegrislybutthebrown，thecinnamon，thegray，thesilver-tip，andotherswithnamesknownonlyincertainlocalities，suchastherangebear，theroach-back，andthesmut-face。But，inspiteofpopularopiniontothecontrary，mostoldhuntersareveryuntrustworthyindealingwithpointsofnaturalhistory。Theyusuallyknowonlysomuchaboutanygivenanimalaswillenablethemtokillit。Theystudyitshabitssolelywiththisendinview；andonceslaintheyonlyexamineittoseeaboutitsconditionandfur。Withrareexceptionstheyarequiteincapableofpassingjudgmentuponquestionsofspecificidentityordifference。Whenquestioned，theynotonlyadvanceperfectlyimpossibletheoriesandfactsinsupportoftheirviews，buttheyrarelyevenagreeastotheviewsthemselves。OnehunterwillassertthatthetruegrislyisonlyfoundinCalifornia，heedlessofthefactthatthenamewasfirstusedbyLewisandClarkeasoneofthetitlestheyappliedtothelargebearsoftheplainscountryroundtheUpperMissouri，aquarterofacenturybeforetheCaliforniagrislywasknowntofame。Anotherhunterwillcallanybigbrindledbearagrislynomatterwhereitisfound；
andheandhiscompanionswilldisputebythehourastowhetherabearoflarge，butnotextreme，sizeisagrislyorasilver-tip。InOregonthecinnamonbearisaphaseofthesmallblackbear；inMontanaitistheplainsvarietyofthelargemountainsilver-tip。I
havemyselfseentheskinsoftwobearskilledontheupperwatersofTongueRiver；onewasthatofamale，oneofafemale，andtheyhadevidentlyjustmated；yetonewasdistinctlya\"silver-tip\"andtheothera\"cinnamon。\"TheskinofoneverybigbearwhichIkilledintheBighornhasprovedastandingpuzzletoalmostalltheoldhunterstowhomIhaveshowedit；rarelydoanytwoofthemagreeastowhetheritisagrisly，asilver-tip，acinnamon，ora\"smut-face。\"
Anybearwithunusuallylonghaironthespineandshoulders，especiallyifkilledinthespring，whenthefurisshaggy，isforthwithdubbeda\"roach-back。\"Theaveragesportingwritermoreoverjoinswiththemoreimaginativemembersofthe\"oldhunter\"varietyinascribingwildlyvarioustraitstothesedifferentbears。Onecommentsonthesuperiorprowessoftheroach-back；theexplanationbeingthatabearinearlyspringisapttoberavenousfromhunger。ThenextinsiststhattheCaliforniagrislyistheonlyreallydangerousbear；
whileanotherstoutlymaintainsthatitdoesnotcompareinferocitywithwhathecallsthe\"smaller\"silver-tiporcinnamon。Andsoon，andsoon，withoutend。Allofwhichismerenonsense。
NeverthelessitisnoeasytasktodeterminehowmanyspeciesorvarietiesofbearactuallydoexistintheUnitedStates，andIcannotevensaywithoutdoubtthataverylargesetofskinsandskullswouldnotshowanearlycompleteintergradationbetweenthemostwidelyseparatedindividuals。However，therearecertainlytwoverydistincttypes，whichdifferalmostaswidelyfromeachotherasawapitidoesfromamuledeer，andwhichexistinthesamelocalitiesinmostheavilytimberedportionsoftheRockies。Oneisthesmallblackbear，abearwhichwillaverageabouttwohundredpoundsweight，withfine，glossy，blackfur，andthefore-clawsbutlittlelongerthanthehinderones；infactthehairsofthefore-pawoftenreachtotheirtips。Thisbearisatreeclimber。Itistheonlykindfoundeastofthegreatplains，anditisalsoplentifulintheforest-cladportionsoftheRockies，beingcommoninmostheavilytimberedtractsthroughouttheUnitedStates。Theotheristhegrisly，whichweighsthreeorfourtimesasmuchastheblack，andhasapeltofcoarsehair，whichisincolorgray，grizzled，orbrownofvariousshades。Itisnotatreeclimber，andthefore-clawsareverylong，muchlongerthanthehinderones。ItisfoundfromthegreatplainswestoftheMississippitothePacificcoast。Thisbearinhabitsindifferentlylowlandandmountain；thedeepwoods，andthebarrenplainswheretheonlycoveristhestuntedgrowthfringingthestreams。Thesetwotypesareverydistinctineveryway，andtheirdifferencesarenotatalldependentuponmeregeographicalconsiderations；fortheyareoftenfoundinthesamedistrict。ThusIfoundthembothintheBighornMountains，eachtypebeinginextremeform，whilethespecimensIshotshowednotraceofintergradation。Thehugegrizzled，long-clawedbeast，anditslittleglossy-coated，short-clawed，tree-climbingbrotherroamedoverexactlythesamecountryinthosemountains；buttheywereasdistinctinhabits，andmixedaslittletogetherasmooseandcaribou。
Ontheotherhand，whenasufficientnumberofbears，fromwidelyseparatedregionsareexamined，thevariousdistinguishingmarksarefoundtobeinconstantandtoshowatendency——exactlyhowstrongI
cannotsay——tofadeintooneanother。Thedifferentiationofthetwospeciesseemstobeasyetscarcelycompleted；therearemoreorlessimperfectconnectinglinks，andasregardsthegrislyitalmostseemsasifthespecificcharacterwerestillunstable。Inthefarnorthwest，inthebasinoftheColumbiathe\"black\"bearisasoftenbrownasanyothercolor；andIhaveseentheskinsoftwocubs，oneblackandonebrown，whichwereshotwhenfollowingthesamedam。Whenthesebrownbearshavecoarserhairthanusualtheirskinsarewithdifficultytobedistinguishedfromthoseofcertainvarietiesofthegrisly。Moreover，allbearsvarygreatlyinsize；andIhaveseenthebodiesofverylargeblackorbrownbearswithshortfore-clawswhichwerefullyasheavyas，orperhapsheavierthan，somesmallbutfull-
growngrislieswithlongfore-claws。Theseverylargebearswithshortclawsareveryreluctanttoclimbatree；andarealmostasclumsyaboutitasisayounggrisly。Amongthegrisliesthefurvariesmuchincolorandtextureevenamongbearsofthesamelocality；itisofcourserichestinthedeepforest，whilethebearsofthedryplainsandmountainsareofalighter，morewashed-outhue。
Afullgrowngrislywillusuallyweighfromfivetosevenhundredpounds；butexceptionalindividualsundoubtedlyreachmorethantwelvehundredweight。TheCaliforniabearsaresaidtobemuchthelargest。
ThisIthinkisso，butIcannotsayitwithcertainty——atanyrateI
haveexaminedseveralskinsoffull-grownCaliforniabearswhichwerenolargerthanmanyIhaveseenfromthenorthernRockies。TheAlaskanbears，particularlythoseofthepeninsula，areevenbiggerbeasts；
theskinofonewhichIsawinthepossessionofMr。Webster，thetaxidermist，wasagooddeallargerthantheaveragepolarbearskin；
andtheanimalwhenalive，ifingoodcondition，couldhardlyhaveweighedlessthan1，400pounds。[*]Bearsvarywonderfullyinweight，eventotheextentofbecominghalfasheavyagain，accordingastheyarefatorlean；inthisrespecttheyaremorelikehogsthanlikeanyotheranimals。
[*]BoththishugeAlaskanbearandtheentirelydistinctbearofthebarrengroundsdifferwidelyfromthetruegrisly，atleastintheirextremeforms。
Thegrislyisnowchieflyabeastofthehighhillsandheavytimber；
butthisismerelybecausehehaslearnedthathemustrelyoncovertoguardhimfromman，andhasforsakentheopengroundaccordingly。
Inolddays，andinoneortwoveryout-of-the-wayplacesalmosttothepresenttime，hewanderedatwillovertheplains。Itisonlythewarinessbornoffearwhichnowadayscauseshimtoclingtothethickbrushofthelargeriver-bottomsthroughouttheplainscountry。Whentherewerenorifle-bearinghuntersintheland，toharasshimandmakehimafraid，herovedthitherandthitheratwill，inburlyself-
confidence。Thenhecaredlittleforcover，unlessasaweather-break，orbecauseithappenedtocontainfoodheliked。Ifthehumorseizedhimhewouldroamfordaysovertherollingorbrokenprairie，searchingforroots，diggingupgophers，orperhapsfollowingthegreatbuffaloherdseithertopreyonsomeunwarystragglerwhichhewasabletocatchatadisadvantageinawashout，orelsetofeastonthecarcassesofthosewhichdiedbyaccident。Oldhunters，survivorsofthelong-vanishedageswhenthevastherdsthrongedthehighplainsandwerefollowedbythewildredtribes，andbybandsofwhiteswhowerescarcelylesssavage，havetoldmethattheyoftenmetbearsundersuchcircumstances；andthesebearswereaccustomedtosleepinapatchofranksagebush，inthenicheofawashout，orundertheleeofaboulder，seekingtheirfoodabroadeveninfulldaylight。ThebearsoftheUpperMissouribasin——whichweresolightincolorthattheearlyexplorersoftenalludedtothemasgrayorevenas\"white\"——
wereparticularlygiventothislifeintheopen。Tothisdaythatclosekinsmanofthegrislyknownasthebearofthebarrengroundscontinuestoleadthissamekindoflife，inthefarnorth。MyfriendMr。Rockhill，ofMaryland，whowasthefirstwhitemantoexploreeasternTibet，describesthelarge，grisly-likebearofthosedesolateuplandsashavingsimilarhabits。
However，thegrislyisashrewdbeastandshowstheusualbear-likecapacityforadaptinghimselftochangedconditions。Hehasinmostplacesbecomeacover-hauntinganimal，slyinhisways，warytoadegreeandclingingtotheshelterofthedeepestforestsinthemountainsandofthemosttangledthicketsintheplains。Hencehehasheldhisownfarbetterthansuchgameasthebisonandelk。Heismuchlesscommonthanformerly，butheisstilltobefoundthroughoutmostofhisformerrange；saveofcourseintheimmediateneighborhoodofthelargetowns。
Inmostplacesthegrislyhibernates，orasoldhunterssay\"holesup，\"duringthecoldseason，preciselyasdoestheblackbear；butaswiththelatterspecies，thoseanimalswhichlivefarthestsouthspendthewholeyearabroadinmildseasons。Thegrislyrarelychoosesthatfavoritedenofhislittleblackbrother，ahollowtreeorlog，forhiswintersleep，seekingormakingsomecavernousholeinthegroundinstead。Theholeissometimesinaslighthillockinariverbottombutmoreoftenonahill-side，andmaybeeithershallowordeep。Inthemountainsitisgenerallyanaturalcaveintherock，butamongthefoothillsandontheplainsthebearusuallyhastotakesomeholloworopening，andthenfashionitintoaburrowtohislikingwithhisbigdiggingclaws。
Beforethecoldweathersetsinthebearbeginstogrowrestless，andtoroamaboutseekingforagoodplaceinwhichtoholeup。Onewilloftentryandabandonseveralcavesorpartiallydug-outburrowsinsuccessionbeforefindingaplacetoitstaste。Italwaysendeavorstochooseaspotwherethereislittlechanceofdiscoveryormolestation，takinggreatcaretoavoidleavingtooevidenttraceofitswork。Henceitisnotoftenthatthedensarefound。
Onceinitsdenthebearpassesthecoldmonthsinlethargicsleep；
yet，inallbutthecoldestweather，andsometimeseventhen，itsslumberisbutlight，andifdisturbeditwillpromptlyleaveitsden，preparedforfightorflightastheoccasionmayrequire。Manytimeswhenahunterhasstumbledonthewinterresting-placeofabearandhasleftit，ashethought，withouthispresencebeingdiscovered，hehasreturnedonlytofindthatthecraftyoldfellowwasawareofthedangerallthetime，andsneakedoffassoonasthecoastwasclear。
Butinverycoldweatherhibernatingbearscanhardlybewakenedfromtheirtorpidlethargy。
Thelengthoftimeabearstaysinitsdendependsofcourseupontheseverityoftheseasonandthelatitudeandaltitudeofthecountry。
Inthenorthernmostandcoldestregionsallthebearsholeup，andspendhalftheyearinastateoflethargy；whereasinthesouthonlytheshe’swithyoungandthefathe-bearsretireforthesleep，andthesebutforafewweeks，andonlyiftheseasonissevere。
Whenthebearfirstleavesitsdenthefurisinveryfineorder，butitspeedilybecomesthinandpoor，anddoesnotrecoveritsconditionuntilthefall。Sometimesthebeardoesnotbetrayanygreathungerforafewdaysafteritsappearance；butinashortwhileitbecomesravenous。Duringtheearlyspring，whenthewoodsarestillentirelybarrenandlifeless，whilethesnowyetliesindeepdrifts，thebear，hungrybrute，bothmaddenedandweakenedbylongfasting，ismoreofaflesheaterthanatanyothertime。Itisatthisperiodthatitismostapttoturntruebeastofprey，andshowitsprowesseitherattheexpenseofthewildgame，oroftheflocksofthesettlerandtheherdsoftheranchman。Bearsareverycapriciousinthisrespect，however。Someareconfirmedgame，andcattle-killers；othersarenot；
whileyetotherseitherareorarenotaccordinglyasthefreakseizesthem，andtheirravagesvaryalmostunaccountably，bothwiththeseasonandthelocality。
Throughout1889，forinstance，nocattle，sofarasIheard，werekilledbybearsanywherenearmyrangeontheLittleMissouriinwesternDakota；yetIhappenedtoknowthatduringthatsameseasontheravagesofthebearsamongtheherdsofthecowmenintheBigHoleBasin，inwesternMontana，wereverydestructive。
Inthespringandearlysummerof1888，thebearskillednocattlenearmyranch；butinthelatesummerandearlyfallofthatyearabigbear，whichwewellknewbyitstracks，suddenlytooktocattle-
killing。Thiswasabrutewhichhaditsheadquartersonsomeverylargebrushbottomsadozenmilesbelowmyranchhouse，andwhichrangedtoandfroacrossthebrokencountryflankingtheriveroneachside。Itbeganjustbeforeberrytime，butcontinueditscareerofdestructionlongafterthewildplumsandevenbuffaloberrieshadripened。Ithinkthatwhatstarteditwasafeastonacowwhichhadmiredanddiedinthebedofthecreek；atleastitwasnotuntilafterwefoundthatithadbeenfeedingatthecarcassandhadeateneveryscrap，thatwediscoveredtracesofitsravagesamongthelivestock。Itseemedtoattacktheanimalswhollyregardlessoftheirsizeandstrength；itsvictimsincludingalargebullandabeefsteer，aswellascows，yearlings，andgaunt，weaktrail\"doughgies，\"
whichhadbeenbroughtinverylatebyaTexascow-outfit——forthatyearseveralherdsweredrivenupfromtheoverstocked，eaten-out，anddrought-strickenrangesofthefarsouth。Judgingfromthesigns，thecraftyoldgrisly，ascunningashewasferocious，usuallylayinwaitforthecattlewhentheycamedowntowater，choosingsomethicketofdenseunderbrushandtwistedcottonwoods，throughwhichtheyhadtopassbeforereachingthesandbanksontheriver’sbrink。Sometimeshepouncedonthemastheyfedthroughthethick，lowcoverofthebottoms，whereanassailantcouldeitherlieinambushbyoneofthenumerouscattletrails，orelsecreepunobservedtowardssomebrowsingbeast。Whenwithinafewfeetaquickrushcarriedhimfairlyontheterrifiedquarry；andthoughbutaclumsyanimalcomparedtothegreatcats，thegrislyisfarquickerthanonewouldimaginefromviewinghisordinarylumberinggait。Inoneortwoinstancesthebearhadapparentlygrappledwithhisvictimbyseizingitneartheloinsandstrikingadisablingblowoverthesmalloftheback；inatleastoneinstancehehadjumpedontheanimal’shead，graspingitwithhisfore-paws，whilewithhisfangshetoreopenthethroatorcrunchedtheneckbone。Someofhisvictimswereslainfarfromtheriver，inwinding，brushycouliesoftheBadLands，wherethebrokennatureofthegroundrenderedstalkingeasy。Severaloftheranchmen，angeredattheirlosses，huntedtheirfoeeagerly，butalwayswithillsuccess；
untiloneofthemputpoisoninacarcass，andthusatlast，inignoblefashion，slewthecattle-killer。
Mr。ClarenceKinginformsmethathewasonceeye-witnesstoabear’skillingasteer，inCalifornia。Thesteerwasinasmallpasture，andthebearclimbedover，partlybreakingdown，therailswhichbarredthegateway。Thesteerstartedtorun，butthegrislyovertookitinfourorfivebounds，andstruckitatremendousblowontheflankwithonepaw，knockingseveralribsclearawayfromthespine，andkillingtheanimaloutrightbytheshock。
Horsesnolessthanhornedcattleattimesfallvictimstothisgreatbear，whichusuallyspringonthemfromtheedgeofaclearingastheygrazeinsomemountainpasture，oramongthefoot-hills；andthereisnootheranimalofwhichhorsesseemsomuchafraid。Generallythebear，whethersuccessfulorunsuccessfulinitsraidsoncattleandhorses，comesoffunscathedfromthestruggle；butthisisnotalwaysthecase，andithasmuchrespectforthehoofsorhornsofitsshould-beprey。Somehorsesdonotseemtoknowhowtofightatall；
butothersarebothquickandvicious，andprovethemselvesveryformidablefoes，lashingoutbehind，andstrikingwiththeirfore-
hoofs。Ihaveelsewheregivenaninstanceofastallionwhichbeatoffabear，breakingitsjaw。
Quitenearmyranch，once，acowboyinmyemployfoundunmistakableevidenceofthediscomfitureofabearbyalong-hornedrangecow。Itwasintheearlyspring，andthecowwithhernew-borncalfwasinabrush-borderedvalley。Thefootprintsinthedampsoilwereveryplain，andshowedallthathadhappened。Thebearhadevidentlycomeoutofthebusheswitharush，probablybentmerelyonseizingthecalf；andhadslowedupwhenthecowinsteadofflyingfacedhim。Hehadthenbeguntowalkroundhisexpecteddinnerinacircle，thecowfrontinghimandmovingnervouslybackandforth，sothathersharphoofscutandtrampledtheground。Finallyshehadchargedsavagely；
whereuponthebearhadbolted；and，whetherfrightenedatthecharge，orattheapproachofsomeone，hehadnotreturned。
Thegrislyisevenfonderofsheepandpigsthanisitssmallerblackbrother。Lurkingroundthesettler’shouseuntilafternightfall，itwillvaultintothefoldorsty，graspahelpless，bleatingfleece-
bearer，orashrieking，strugglingmemberofthebristlybrotherhood，andbundleitoutoverthefencetoitsdeath。Incarryingitspreyabearsometimesholdsthebodyinitsteeth，walkingalongonall-foursanddraggingitasawolfdoes。Sometimes，however，itseizesananimalinitsforearmsorinoneofthem，andwalksawkwardlyonthreelegsortwo，adoptingthismethodinliftingandpushingthebodyoverrocksanddowntimber。
Whenagrislycangetatdomesticanimalsitrarelyseekstomolestgame，theformerbeingfarlesswaryandmorehelpless。Itsheavinessandclumsinessdonotfititwellforalifeofrapineagainstshywoodlandcreatures。Itsvaststrengthanddeterminedtemper，however，morethanmakeamendsforlackofagilityintheactualstrugglewiththestrickenprey；itsdifficultyliesinseizing，notinkilling，thegame。Hence，whenagrislydoestaketogame-killing，itislikelytoattackbison，moose，andelk；itisrarelyabletocatchdeer，stilllesssheeporantelope。Infactthesesmallergameanimalsoftenshowbutlittledreadofitsneighborhood，and，thoughcarefulnottoletitcometoonear，goongrazingwhenabearisinfullsight。
Whitetaildeerarefrequentlyfoundathomeinthesamethicketinwhichabearhasitsden，whiletheyimmediatelydesertthetemporaryabidingplaceofawolforcougar。Nevertheless，theysometimespresumetoomuchonthisconfidence。Acoupleofyearsbeforetheoccurrenceofthefeatsofcattle-killingmentionedaboveashappeningnearmyranch，eitherthesamebearthatfiguredinthem，oranotherofsimilartastes，tooktogame-hunting。Thebeastlivedinthesamesuccessionofhugethicketswhichcoverfortwoorthreemilestheriverbottomsandthemouthsoftheinflowingcreeks；andhesuddenlymadearaidonthewhitetaildeerwhichwereplentifulinthedensecover。Theshaggy，clumsymonsterwascunningenoughtokillseveraloftheseknowingcreatures。TheexactcourseofprocedureInevercouldfindout；butapparentlythebearlaidinwaitbesidethegametrails，alongwhichthedeerwandered。
Intheolddayswhentheinnumerablebisongrazedfreeontheprairie，thegrislysometimesharassedtheirbandsasitnowdoestheherdsoftheranchman。Thebisonwasthemosteasilyapproachedofallgame，andthegreatbearcouldoftengetnearsomeoutlyingstraggler，initsquestafterstraycows，yearlings，orcalves。Indefaultofafavorablechancetomakeapreyofoneoftheseweakermembersoftheherds，itdidnothesitatetoattackthemightybullsthemselves；andperhapsthegrandestsightswhichitwaseverthegoodfortuneoftheearlyhunterstowitnesswasoneoftheserarebattlesbetweenahungrygrislyandapowerfulbuffalobull。Nowadays，however，thefewlastsurvivorsofthebisonarevanishingevenfromtheinaccessiblemountainfastnessesinwhichtheysoughtafinalrefugefromtheirdestroyers。
Atpresentthewapitiisofallwildgamethatwhichismostlikelytofallavictimtothegrisly，whenthebigbearisinthemoodtoturnhunter。Wapitiarefoundinthesameplacesasthegrisly，andinsomespotstheyareyetveryplentiful；theyarelessshyandactivethandeer，whilenotpowerfulenoughtobeatoffsoponderousafoe；andtheyliveincoverwherethereisalwaysagoodchanceeithertostalkortostumbleonthem。Atalmostanyseasonbearwillcomeandfeastonanelkcarcass；andifthefoodsupplyrunsshort，inearlyspring，orinafallwhentheberrycropfails，theysometimeshavetodotheirownkilling。TwiceIhavecomeacrosstheremainsofelk，whichhadseeminglybeenslainanddevouredbybears。Ihaveneverheardofelkmakingafightagainstabear；yet，atclosequartersandatbay，abullelkintheruttingseasonisanuglyfoe。
Abullmooseisevenmoreformidable，beingabletostrikethemostlightning-likeblowswithhisterribleforefeet，histrueweaponsofdefense。Idoubtifanybeastofpreywouldrushinononeofthesewoodlandgiants，whenhishornsweregrown，andifhewasonhisguardandbentonfight。Nevertheless，themoosesometimesfallvictimstotheuncouthprowessofthegrisly，inthethickwetforestsofthehighnorthernRockies，wherebothbeastsdwell。AnoldhunterwhoadozenyearsagowinteredatJacksonLake，innorthwesternWyoming，toldmethatwhenthesnowsgotdeeponthemountainsthemoosecamedownandtookuptheirabodenearthelake，onitswesternside。
Nothingmolestedthemduringthewinter。Earlyinthespringagrislycameoutofitsden，andhefounditstracksinmanyplaces，asitroamedrestlesslyabout，evidentlyveryhungry。Findinglittletoeatinthebleak，snow-driftedwoods，itsoonbegantodepredateonthemoose，andkilledtwoorthree，generallybylyinginwaitanddashingoutonthemastheypassednearitslurking-place。Eventhebullswereatthatseasonweak，andofcoursehornless，withsmalldesiretofight；andineachcasetherushofthegreatbear——doubtlessmadewiththeferocityandspeedwhichsooftenbelietheseemingawkwardnessoftheanimal——boredownthestartledvictim，takenutterlyunawaresbeforeithadachancetodefenditself。Inonecasethebearhadmisseditsspring；themoosegoingoff，forafewrods，withhugejumps，andthensettlingdownintoitscharacteristictrot。
Theoldhunterwhofollowedthetrackssaidhewouldneverhavedeemeditpossibleforanyanimaltomakesuchstrideswhileinatrot。
Nevertheless，thegrislyisonlyoccasionally，notnormally，aformidablepredatorybeast，akillerofcattleandoflargegame。
Althoughcapableoffarswiftermovementthanispromisedbyhisframeofseeminglyclumsystrength，andinspiteofhispowerofchargingwithastonishingsuddennessandspeed，heyetlacksaltogetherthesuppleagilityofsuchfinisheddestroyersasthecougarandthewolf；
andfortheabsenceofthisagilitynoamountofmerehugemusclecanatone。Heismoreapttofeastonanimalswhichhavemettheirdeathbyaccident，orwhichhavebeenkilledbyotherbeastsorbyman，thantodohisownkilling。Heisaveryfoulfeeder，withastrongrelishforcarrion，andpossessesagrewsomeandcannibalfondnessforthefleshofhisownkind；abearcarcasswilltollabrotherbeartotheambushedhunterbetterthanalmostanyotherbait，unlessitisthecarcassofahorse。
Nordothesebigbearsalwayscontentthemselvesmerelywiththecarcassesoftheirbrethren。Ablackbearwouldhaveapoorchanceifintheclutchesofalarge，hungrygrisly；andanoldmalewillkillandeatacub，especiallyifhefindsitatadisadvantage。AratherremarkableinstanceofthisoccurredintheYellowstoneNationalPark，inthespringof1891。TheincidentisrelatedinthefollowingletterwrittentoMr。WilliamHallettPhillips，ofWashington，byanotherfriend，Mr。ElwoodHofer。Hoferisanoldmountain-man；Ihavehuntedwithhimmyself，andknowhisstatementstobetrustworthy。Hewas，atthetime，atworkintheParkgettinganimalsfortheNationalMuseumatWashington，andwasstayingatYancey’s\"hotel\"nearTowerFalls，HisletterwhichwasdatedJune21st，1891，runsinpartasfollows：
\"IhadasplendidGrizzlyorRoachbackcubandwasgoingtosendhimintotheSpringsnextmorningtheteamwashere。Iheardaracketoutside，wentout，andfoundhimdead。Anoldbearthatmadea91/2inchtrackhadkilledandpartlyeatenhim。Lastnightanotheronecame，onethatmadea81/2inchtrack，andbrokeYancyupinthemilkbusiness。Youknowhowthecabinsstandhere。Thereisahitchingpostbetweenthesaloonandoldhouse，thelittlebearwaskilledthere。Inacreekclosebywasamilkhouse，lastnightanotherbearcamethereandsmashedthewholethingup，leavingnothingbutafewflattenedbucketsandpansandboards。Iwassleepingintheoldcabin，Iheardthetinwarerattlebutthoughtitwasallright，supposeditwascowsorhorsesabout。Idon’tcareaboutthemilkbutthedamncussduguptheremainsofthecubIhadburiedintheoldditch，hevisitedtheoldmeathousebutfoundnothing。BearareverythickinthispartofthePark，andaregettingveryfresh。IsentinthegametoCapt。Anderson，hearitsdoingwell。\"
Grisliesarefondoffish；andonthePacificslope，wherethesalmonrun，they，likesomanyotherbeasts，travelmanyscoresofmilesandcrowddowntotheriverstogorgethemselvesuponthefishwhicharethrownuponthebanks。Wadingintothewaterabearwillknockoutthesalmonrightandleftwhentheyarerunningthick。
Fleshandfishdonotconstitutethegrisly’sordinarydiet。Atmosttimesthebigbearisagrubberintheground，aneaterofinsects，roots，nuts，andberries。Itsdangerousfore-clawsarenormallyusedtooverturnstonesandknockrottenlogstopieces，thatitmaylapupthesmalltribesofdarknesswhichswarmundertheoneandintheother。Itdigsupthecamasroots，wildonions，andanoccasionallucklesswoodchuckorgopher。Iffoodisveryplentybearsarelazy，butcommonlytheyareobligedtobeveryindustrious，itbeingnolighttasktogatherenoughants，beetles，crickets，tumble-bugs，roots，andnutstosatisfythecravingsofsohugeabulk。Thesignofabear’sworkis，ofcourse，evidenttothemostunpracticedeye；andinnowaycanonegetabetterideaofthebrute’spowerthanbywatchingitbusilyworkingforitsbreakfast，shatteringbiglogsandupsettingbouldersbysheerstrength。Thereisalwaysatouchofthecomic，aswellasatouchofthestrongandterrible，inabear’slookandactions。Itwilltugandpull，nowwithonepaw，nowwithtwo，nowonallfours，nowonitshindlegs，intheefforttoturnoveralargelogorstone；andwhenitsucceedsitjumpsroundtothrustitsmuzzleintothedamphollowandlapuptheaffrightedmiceorbeetleswhiletheyarestillparalyzedbythesuddenexposure。
Thetruetimeofplentyforbearsistheberryseason。Thentheyfeastravenouslyonhuckleberries，blueberries，kinnikinnicberries，buffaloberries，wildplums，elderberries，andscoresofotherfruits。Theyoftensmashallthebushesinaberrypatch，gatheringthefruitwithhalf-luxurious，half-laboriousgreed，sittingontheirhaunches，andsweepingtheberriesintotheirmouthswithdexterouspaws。Soabsorbeddotheybecomeintheirfeastsonthelusciousfruitthattheygrowrecklessoftheirsafety，andfeedinbroaddaylight，almostatmidday；whileinsomeofthethickets，especiallythoseofthemountainhaws，theymakesomuchnoiseinsmashingthebranchesthatitisacomparativelyeasymattertoapproachthemunheard。Thatstill-hunterisinluckwhointhefallfindsanaccessibleberry-
coveredhillsidewhichishauntedbybears；but，asarule，theberrybushesdonotgrowcloseenoughtogethertogivethehuntermuchchance。
Likemostotherwildanimals，bearswhichhaveknowntheneighborhoodofmanarebeastsofthedarkness，oratleastoftheduskandthegloaming。Buttheyarebynomeanssuchtruenight-loversasthebigcatsandthewolves。Inregionswheretheyknowlittleofhunterstheyroamaboutfreelyinthedaylight，andincoolweatherareevenapttotaketheirnoontideslumbersbaskinginthesun。Wheretheyaremuchhuntedtheyfinallyalmostreversetheirnaturalhabitsandsleepthroughoutthehoursoflight，onlyventuringabroadafternightfallandbeforesunrise；butevenyetthisisnotthehabitofthosebearswhichexistinthewilderlocalitieswheretheyarestillplentiful。
Intheseplacestheysleep，oratleastrest，duringthehoursofgreatestheat，andagaininthemiddlepartofthenight，unlessthereisafullmoon。Theystartontheirramblesforfoodaboutmid-
afternoon，andendtheirmorningroamingsoonafterthesunisabovethehorizon。Ifthemoonisfull，however，theymayfeedallnightlong，andthenwanderbutlittleinthedaytime。
Asidefromman，thefull-growngrislyhashardlyanyfoetofear。
Nevertheless，intheearlyspring，whenweakenedbythehungerthatsucceedsthewintersleep，itbehooveseventhegrisly，ifhedwellsinthemountainfastnessesofthefarnorthwest，tobewareofafamishedtroopofgreattimberwolves。ThesenorthernRockyMountainwolvesaremostformidablebeasts，andwhenmanyofthembandtogetherintimesoffaminetheydonothesitatetopounceontheblackbearandcougar；andevenafull-growngrislyisnotsafefromtheirattacks，unlesshecanbackupagainstsomerockwhichwillpreventthemfromassailinghimfrombehind。AsmallranchmanwhomIknewwell，wholivednearFlatheadLake，onceinAprilfoundwhereatroopofthesewolveshadkilledagood-sizedyearlinggrisly。Eithercougarorwolfwillmakeapreyofagrislywhichisbutafewmonthsold；
whileanyfox，lynx，wolverine，orfisherwillseizetheveryyoungcubs。Theoldstoryaboutwolvesfearingtofeastongamekilledbyagrislyisallnonsense。Wolvesarecannybeasts，andtheywillnotapproachacarcassiftheythinkabearishiddennearbyandlikelytorushoutatthem；butunderordinarycircumstancestheywillfeastnotonlyonthecarcassesofthegrisly’svictims，butonthecarcassofthegrislyhimselfafterhehasbeenslainandleftbythehunter。
Ofcoursewolveswouldonlyattackagrislyifinthemostdesperatestraitsforfood，asevenavictoryoversuchanantagonistmustbepurchasedwithheavylossoflife；andahungrygrislywoulddevoureitherawolforacougar，oranyoneofthesmallercarnivoraoff-
handifithappenedtocorneritwhereitcouldnotgetaway。
Thegrislyoccasionallymakesitsdeninacaveandspendsthereinthemiddayhours。Butthisisrare。Usuallyitliesinthedenseshelterofthemosttangledpieceofwoodsintheneighborhood，choosingbypreferencesomebitwheretheyounggrowthisthickandthegroundstrewnwithbouldersandfallenlogs。Often，especiallyifinarestlessmoodandroamingmuchoverthecountry，itmerelymakesatemporarybed，inwhichitliesbutonceortwice；andagainitmaymakeamorepermanentlairorseriesoflairs，spendingmanyconsecutivenightsineach。Usuallythelairorbedismadesomedistancefromthefeedingground；butboldbears，inverywildlocalities，maylieclosebyacarcass，orinthemiddleofaberryground。Thedeer-killingbearabovementionedhadevidentlydraggedtwoorthreeofhisvictimstohisden，whichwasunderanimpenetrablematofbull-berriesanddwarfbox-alders，hemmedbyacutbankononesideandawallofgnarledcottonwoodsontheother。Roundthisden，andrenderingitnoisome，werescatteredthebonesofseveraldeerandayoungsteerorheifer。Whenwefounditwethoughtwecouldeasilykillthebear，butthefierce，cunningbeastmusthaveseenorsmeltus，forthoughwelaidinwaitforitlongandpatiently，itdidnotcomebacktoitsplace；nor，onoursubsequentvisits，didweeverfindtracesofitshavingdoneso。
Beararefondofwallowinginthewater，whetherinthesand，ontheedgeofarapidplainsriver，onthemuddymarginofapond，orintheoozymossofaclear，coldmountainspring。OnehotAugustafternoon，asIwasclamberingdownasteepmountain-sidenearPend’Oreillelake，Iheardacrashsomedistancebelow，whichshowedthatalargebeastwasafoot。Onmakingmywaytowardsthespot，IfoundIhaddisturbedabigbearasitwaslollingateaseinitsbath；thediscoloredwatershowedwhereithadscrambledhastilyoutandgallopedoffasI
approached。Thespringwelledoutatthebaseofahighgraniterock，formingasmallpoolofshimmeringbrokencrystal。Thesoakedmosslayinadeepwetcushionroundabout，andjuttedovertheedgesofthepoollikeafloatingshelf。Graceful，water-lovingfernsswayedtoandfro。Above，thegreatconifersspreadtheirmurmuringbranches，dimmingthelight，andkeepingouttheheat；theirbrownbolessprangfromthegroundlikebuttressedcolumns。Onthebarrenmountain-sidebeyondtheheatwasoppressive。ItwassmallwonderthatBruinshouldhavesoughtthespottocoolhisgrosscarcassinthefreshspringwater。
Thebearisasolitarybeast，andalthoughmanymayassembletogether，inwhatlookslikeadrove，onsomefavoritefeeding-ground——usuallywheretheberriesarethick，orbythebanksofasalmon-throngedriver——theassociationisnevermorethanmomentary，eachgoingitsownwayassoonasitshungerissatisfied。Themalesalwayslivealonebychoice，saveintheruttingseason，whentheyseekthefemales。Thentwoorthreemaycometogetherinthecourseoftheirpursuitandroughcourtshipofthefemale；andiftherivalsarewellmatched，savagebattlesfollow，sothatmanyoftheoldmaleshavetheirheadsseamedwithscarsmadebytheirfellows’teeth。Atsuchtimestheyareeviltemperedandpronetoattackmanorbeastonslightprovocation。
Theshebringsforthhercubs，one，two，orthreeinnumber，inherwinterden。Theyareverysmallandhelplessthings，anditissometimeaftersheleavesherwinterhomebeforetheycanfollowherforanydistance。Theystaywithherthroughoutthesummerandthefall，leavingherwhenthecoldweathersetsin。Bythistimetheyarewellgrown；andhence，especiallyifanoldmalehasjoinedtheshe，thefamilymaynumberthreeorfourindividuals，soastomakewhatseemslikequitealittletroopofbears。AsmallranchmanwholivedadozenmilesfrommeontheLittleMissourioncefoundashe-bearandthreehalf-growncubsfeedingataberry-patchinaravine。Heshottheoldsheinthesmalloftheback，whereatshemadealoudroaringandsquealing。Oneofthecubsrushedtowardsher；butitssympathyprovedmisplaced，forsheknockeditoverwithaheartycuff，eitheroutofmeretemper，orbecauseshethoughtherpainmustbeduetoanunprovokedassaultfromoneofheroffspring。Thehunterthenkilledoneofthecubs，andtheothertwoescaped。Whenbearsaretogetherandoneiswoundedbyabullet，butdoesnotseetherealassailant，itoftenfallstoothandnailuponitscomrade，apparentlyattributingitsinjurytothelatter。
Bearsarehuntedinmanyways。Somearekilledbypoison；butthisplanisonlypractisedbytheownersofcattleorsheepwhohavesufferedfromtheirravages。Moreover，theyarehardertopoisonthanwolves。Mostoftentheyarekilledintraps，whicharesometimesdead-
falls，ontheprincipleofthelittlefigure-4trapfamiliartoeveryAmericancountryboy，sometimeslog-pensinwhichtheanimalistakenalive，butgenerallyhugesteelgins。Insomestatesthereisabountyforthedestructionofgrislies；andinmanyplacestheirskinshaveamarketprice，althoughmuchlessvaluablethanthoseoftheblackbear。Themenwhopursuethemforthebounty，orfortheirfur，aswellastheranchmenwhoregardthemasfoestostock，ordinarilyusesteeltraps。Thetrapisverymassive，needingnosmallstrengthtoset，anditisusuallychainedtoabarorlogofwood，whichdoesnotstopthebear’sprogressoutright，buthampersandinterfereswithit，continuallycatchingintreestumpsandthelike。Theanimalwhentrappedmakesoffatonce，bitingatthetrapandthebar；butitleavesabroadwakeandsoonerorlaterisfoundtangledupbythechainandbar。Abearisbynomeanssodifficulttotrapasawolforfoxalthoughmoresothanacougaroralynx。Inwildregionsaskilfultrappercanoftencatchagreatmanywithcomparativeease。A
cunningoldgrislyhowever，soonlearnsthedanger，andisthenalmostimpossibletotrap，asiteitheravoidstheneighborhoodaltogetherorfindsoutsomewaybywhichtogetatthebaitwithoutspringingthetrap，orelsedeliberatelyspringsitfirst。Ihavebeentoldofbearswhichspringtrapsbyrollingacrossthem，theironjawsslippingharmlesslyoffthebigroundbody。Anoldhorseisthemostcommonbait。
Itis，ofcourse，allrighttotrapbearswhentheyarefollowedmerelyasverminorforthesakeofthefur。Occasionally，however，hunterswhoareoutmerelyforsportadoptthismethod；butthisshouldneverbedone。Toshootatrappedbearforsportisathoroughlyunsportsmanlikeproceeding。Afunnypleasometimesadvancedinitsfavoristhatitis\"dangerous。\"Nodoubtinexceptionalinstancesthisistrue；exactlyasitistruethatinexceptionalinstancesitis\"dangerous\"forabutchertoknockoverasteerintheslaughter-house。Abearcaughtonlybythetoesmaywrenchitselffreeasthehuntercomesnear，andattackhimwithpain-maddenedfury；oriffollowedatonce，andifthetrapandbararelight，itmaybefoundinsomethicket，stillfree，andinafrenzyofrage。Buteveninsuchcasesthebeasthasbeencrippled，andthoughcrazywithpainandangeriseasilydealtwithbyagoodshot；whileordinarilythepoorbruteisfoundinthelaststagesofexhaustion，tiedtighttoatreewherethelogorbarhascaught，itsteethbrokentosplintedstumpsbyrabidsnapsatthecrueltrapandchain。Sometrapperskillthetrappedgrislieswitharevolver；sothatitmayeasilybeseenthatthesportisnotnormallydangerous。Twoofmyowncowboys，SeawellandDow，wereoriginallyfromMaine，wheretheyhadtrappedanumberofblackbears；andtheyalwayskilledthemeitherwithahatchetorasmall32-calibrerevolver。Oneofthem，Seawell，oncecamenearbeingmauledbyatrappedbear，seeminglyatthelastgaspwhichheapproachedincautiouslywithhishatchet。
Thereis，however，oneveryrealdangertowhichthesolitarybear-
trapperisexposed，thedangerofbeingcaughtinhisowntrap。Thehugejawsoftheginareeasytospringandmosthardtoopen。Ifanyunwarypasser-byshouldtreadbetweenthemandbecaughtbytheleg，hisfatewouldbedoubtful，thoughhewouldprobablydieunderthesteadilygrowingtormentofthemercilessironjaws，astheypressedeverdeeperintothesorefleshandbrokenbones。Butifcaughtbythearms，whilesettingorfixingthetrap，hisfatewouldbeinnodoubtatall，foritwouldbeimpossibleforthestoutestmantofreehimselfbyanymeans。Terriblestoriesaretoldofsolitarymountainhunterswhodisappeared，andwerefoundyearslaterinthelonelywilderness，asmoulderingskeletons，theshatteredbonesoftheforearmsstillheldintherustyjawsofthegin。
Doubtlessthegrislycouldbesuccessfullyhuntedwithdogs，ifthelatterweretrainedtothepurpose，butasyetthishasnotbeendone，andthoughdogsaresometimesusedasadjunctsingrislyhuntingtheyarerarelyofmuchservice。Itissometimessaidthatverysmalldogsarethebestforthisend。Butthisisonlysowithgrisliesthathaveneverbeenhunted。Insuchacasethebigbearsometimesbecomessoirritatedwiththebouncing，yappinglittleterriersorfice-dogsthathemaytrytocatchthemandthuspermitthehuntertocreepuponhim。
Buttheminuteherealizes，ashespeedilydoes，thatthemanishisrealfoe，hepaysnofurtherheedwhatevertothelittledogs，whocanthenneitherbringhimtobaynorhinderhisflight。Ordinaryhounds，ofthekindsusedinthesouthforfox，deer，wild-cat，andblackbear，arebutlittlebetter。Ihaveknownoneortwomenwhoatdifferenttimestriedtohuntthegrislywithapackofhoundsandfice-dogswontedtothechaseoftheblackbear，buttheynevermetwithsuccess。Thiswasprobablylargelyowingtothenatureofthecountryinwhichtheyhunted，avasttangledmassofforestandcraggymountain；butitwasalsoduetotheutterinabilityofthedogstostopthequarryfrombreakingbaywhenitwished。Severaltimesagrislywasbayed，butalwaysinsomeinaccessiblespotwhichittookhardclimbingtoreach，andthedogswereneverabletoholdthebeastuntilthehunterscameup。
Stillawell-trainedpackoflargehoundswhichwerebothboldandcunningcoulddoubtlessbayevenagrisly。Suchdogsarethebighalf-
breedhoundssometimesusedintheAlleghaniesofWestVirginia，whicharetrainednotmerelytonipabear，buttogriphimbythehockasherunsandeitherthrowhimortwirlhimround。Agrislycouldnotdisregardawaryandpowerfulhoundcapableofperformingthistrick，eventhoughhepaidsmallheedtomerebarkingandoccasionalnipping。
NordoIdoubtthatitwouldbepossibletogettogetherapackofmanylarge，fiercedogs，trainedtodashstraightattheheadandholdonlikeavise，whichcouldfairlymasteragrislyand，thoughunable，ofcourse，tokillhim，wouldworryhimbreathlessandholdhimdownsothathecouldbeslainwithease。Therehavebeeninstancesinwhichfiveorsixofthebigso-calledblood-houndsofthesouthernStates——notpureblood-houndsatall，buthuge，fierce，ban-dogs，withacrossoftheferociousCubanblood-hound，togivethemgoodscentingpowers——havebythemselvesmasteredthecougarandtheblackbear。
Suchinstancesoccurredinthehuntinghistoryofmyownforefathersonmymother’sside，whoduringthelasthalfoftheeighteenth，andthefirsthalfofthepresent，centurylivedinGeorgiaandovertheborderinwhatarenowAlabamaandFlorida。Thesebigdogscanonlyovercomesuchfoesbyrushingininabodyandgrapplingalltogether；
iftheyhangback，lungingandsnapping，acougarorbearwilldestroythemonebyone。Withaquarrysohugeandredoubtableasthegrisly，nonumberofdogs，howeverlargeandfierce，couldovercomehimunlesstheyallrushedonhiminamass，thefirstinthechargeseizingbytheheadorthroat。Ifthedogshungback，oriftherewereonlyafewofthem，oriftheydidnotseizearoundthehead，theywouldbedestroyedwithoutaneffort。Itismurdertoslipmerelyoneortwoclose-quarterdogsatagrisly。TwiceIhaveknownamantakealargebulldogwithhispackwhenafteroneofthesebigbears，andineachcasetheresultwasthesame。Inoneinstancethebearwastrottingwhenthebulldogseizeditbythecheek，andwithoutsomuchasalteringitsgait，itbrushedoffthehangingdogwithablowfromthefore-pawthatbrokethelatter’sback。Intheotherinstancethebearhadcometobay，andwhenseizedbytheearitgotthedog’sbodyuptoitsjaws，andtoreoutthelifewithonecrunch。
Asmallnumberofdogsmustrelyontheiractivity，andmusthamperthebear’sescapebyinflictingaseverebiteandavoidingthecounter-stroke。TheonlydogIeverheardofwhich，single-handed，wasreallyofserviceinstoppingagrisly，wasabigMexicansheep-dog，onceownedbythehunterTazewellWoody。Itwasanagilebeastwithpowerfuljaws，andpossessedbothintelligenceandafierce，resolutetemper。Woodykilledthreegrislieswithitsaid。Itattackedwithequalcautionandferocity，rushingatthebearasthelatterran，andseizingtheoutstretchedhockwithagripofiron，stoppingthebearshort，butlettinggobeforetheangrybeastcouldwhirlroundandseizeit。Itwassoactiveandwarythatitalwaysescapeddamage；anditwassostrongandbitsoseverelythatthebearcouldnotpossiblyrunfromitatanyspeed。Inconsequence，ifitoncecametoclosequarterswithitsquarry，Woodycouldalwaysgetnearenoughforashot。
Hitherto，however，themountainhunters——asdistinguishedfromthetrappers——whohavefollowedthegrislyhavereliedalmostsolelyontheirrifles。InmyowncaseabouthalfthebearsIhavekilledI
stumbledacrossalmostbyaccident；andprobablythisproportionholdsgoodgenerally。Thehuntermaybeafterbearatthetime，orhemaybeafterblacktaildeerorelk，thecommongameinmostofthehauntsofthegrisly；orhemaymerelybetravellingthroughthecountryorprospectingforgold。Suddenlyhecomesovertheedgeofacutbank，orroundthesharpspurofamountainortheshoulderofacliffwhichwallsinaravine，orelsetheindistinctgametrailhehasbeenfollowingthroughthegreattreestwistssharplytoonesidetoavoidarockoramassofdowntimber，andbeholdhesurprisesoldEphraimdiggingforroots，ormunchingberries，orslouchingalongthepath，orperhapsrisingsuddenlyfromthelush，rankplantsamidwhichhehasbeenlying。Oritmaybethatthebearwillbespiedafarrootinginanopengladeoronabarehill-side。
Inthestill-huntproperitisnecessarytofindsomefavoritefeeding-ground，wheretherearemanyrootsorberry-bearingbushes，orelsetolurethegrislytoacarcass。Thislastmethodof\"baiting\"
forbearsisunderordinarycircumstancestheonlywaywhichaffordsevenamoderatelyfairchanceofkillingthem。Theyareverycunning，withthesharpestofnoses，andwheretheyhavehadexperienceofhunterstheydwellonlyincoverwhereitisalmostimpossibleforthebestofstill-hunterstoapproachthem。
Nevertheless，infavorablegroundamancanoftenfindandkillthembyfairstalking，inberrytime，ormoreespeciallyintheearlyspring，beforethesnowhasgonefromthemountains，andwhilethebearsaredrivenbyhungertoroammuchabroadandsometimestoseektheirfoodintheopen。Insuchcasesthestill-hunterisstirringbytheearliestdawn，andwalkswithstealthyspeedtosomehighpointofobservationfromwhichhecanoverlookthefeeding-groundswherehehaspreviouslydiscoveredsign。Fromthisvantagehescansthecountryfarandnear，eitherwithhisownkeeneyesorwithpowerfulglasses；
andhemustcombinepatienceandgoodsightwiththeabilitytotraverselongdistancesnoiselesslyandyetatspeed。Hemayspendtwoorthreehourssittingstillandlookingoveravasttractofcountrybeforehewillsuddenlyspyabear；orhemayseenothingafterthemostcarefulsearchinagivenplace，andmustthengoonhalfadozenmilestoanother，watchingwarilyashewalks，andcontinuingthispossiblyforseveraldaysbeforegettingaglimpseofhisgame。Ifthebeararediggingroots，orotherwiseprocuringtheirfoodonthebarehillsidesandtable-lands，itisofcoursecomparativelyeasytoseethem；anditisundersuchcircumstancesthatthiskindofhuntingismostsuccessful。Onceseen，theactualstalkmaytaketwoorthreehours，thenatureofthegroundandthedirectionofthewindoftennecessitatingalongcircuit；perhapsagully，arock，orafallenlogoffersachanceforanapproachtowithintwohundredyards，andalthoughthehunterwill，ifpossible，getmuchcloserthanthis，yetevenatsuchadistanceabearisalargeenoughmarktowarranttakingashot。
Usuallytheberrygroundsdonotoffersuchfavorableopportunities，astheyoftenlieinthicktimber，orarecoveredsodenselywithbushesastoobstructtheview；andtheyarerarelycommandedbyafavorablespotfromwhichtospy。Ontheotherhand，asalreadysaid，bearsoccasionallyforgetalltheirwatchfulnesswhiledevouringfruit，andmakesuchanoiserendingandtearingthebushesthat，ifoncefound，amancancreepuponthemunobserved。
CHAPTERIV。
HUNTINGTHEGRISLY。
Ifoutinthelatefallorearlyspring，itisoftenpossibletofollowabear’strailinthesnow；havingcomeuponiteitherbychanceorhardhunting，orelsehavingfoundwhereitleadsfromsomecarcassonwhichthebeasthasbeenfeeding。Inthepursuitonemustexercisegreatcaution，asatsuchtimesthehunteriseasilyseenalongwayoff，andgameisalwaysespeciallywatchfulforanyfoethatmayfollowitstrail。
OnceIkilledagrislyinthismanner。Itwasearlyinthefall，butsnowlayontheground，whilethegrayweatherbodedastorm。Mycampwasinableak，wind-sweptvalley，highamongthemountainswhichformthedividebetweenthehead-watersoftheSalmonandClarke’sForkoftheColumbia。AllnightIhadlaininmybuffalo-bag，undertheleaofawindbreakofbranches，intheclumpoffir-trees，whereIhadhaltedtheprecedingevening。Atmyfeetranarapidmountaintorrent，itsbedchokedwithice-coveredrocks；Ihadbeenlulledtosleepbythestream’ssplashingmurmur，andtheloudmoaningofthewindalongthenakedcliffs。AtdawnIroseandshookmyselffreeofthebuffalorobe，coatedwithhoar-frost。Theashesofthefirewerelifeless；inthedimmorningtheairwasbittercold。Ididnotlingeramoment，butsnatchedupmyrifle，pulledonmyfurcapandgloves，andstrodeoffupasideravine；asIwalkedIatesomemouthfulsofvenison，leftoverfromsupper。
Twohoursoftoilupthesteepmountainbroughtmetothetopofaspur。Thesunhadrisen，butwashiddenbehindabankofsullenclouds。OnthedivideIhalted，andgazedoutoveravastlandscape，inconceivablywildanddismal。AroundmetoweredthestupendousmountainmasseswhichmakeupthebackboneoftheRockies。Frommyfeet，asfarasIcouldsee，stretchedaruggedandbarrenchaosofridgesanddetachedrockmasses。Behindme，farbelow，thestreamwoundlikeasilverribbon，fringedwithdarkconifersandthechanging，dyingfoliageofpoplarandquakingaspen。Infrontthebottomsofthevalleyswerefilledwiththesombreevergreenforest，dottedhereandtherewithblack，ice-skimmedtarns；andthedarksprucesclusteredalsointhehighergorges，andwerescatteredthinlyalongthemountainsides。Thesnowwhichhadfallenlayindriftsandstreaks，while，wherethewindhadscopeitwasblownoff，andthegroundleftbare。
FortwohoursIwalkedonwardsacrosstheridgesandvalleys。Thenamongsomescatteredspruces，wherethesnowlaytothedepthofhalfafoot，Isuddenlycameonthefresh，broadtrailofagrisly。Thebrutewasevidentlyroamingrestlesslyaboutinsearchofawinterden，butwilling，inpassing，topickupanyfoodthatlayhandy。AtonceItookthetrail，travellingaboveandtooneside，andkeepingasharplook-outahead。Thebearwasgoingacrosswind，andthismademytaskeasy。Iwalkedrapidly，thoughcautiously；anditwasonlyincrossingthelargepatchesofbaregroundthatIhadtofearmakinganoise。Elsewherethesnowmuffledmyfootsteps，andmadethetrailsoplainthatIscarcelyhadtowasteaglanceuponit，bendingmyeyesalwaystothefront。
Atlast，peeringcautiouslyoveraridgecrownedwithbrokenrocks，I
sawmyquarry，abig，burlybear，withsilveredfur。Hehadhaltedonanopenhillside，andwasbusilydiggingupthecachesofsomerockgophersorsquirrels。Heseemedabsorbedinhiswork，andthestalkwaseasy。Slippingquietlyback，Irantowardstheendofthespur，andintenminutesstruckaravine，ofwhichonebranchranpastwithinseventyyardsofwherethebearwasworking。Inthisravinewasaratherclosegrowthofstuntedevergreens，affordinggoodcover，althoughinoneortwoplacesIhadtoliedownandcrawlthroughthesnow。WhenIreachedthepointforwhichIwasaiming，thebearhadjustfinishedrooting，andwasstartingoff。Aslightwhistlebroughthimtoastandstill，andIdrewabeadbehindhisshoulder，andlowdown，restingtherifleacrossthecrookedbranchofadwarfspruce。
Atthecrackheranoffatspeed，makingnosound，butthethickspatterofbloodsplashes，showingclearonthewhitesnow，betrayedthemortalnatureofthewound。ForsomeminutesIfollowedthetrail；
andthen，toppingaridge，Isawthedarkbulklyingmotionlessinasnowdriftatthefootofalowrock-wall，fromwhichhehadtumbled。
Theusualpracticeofthestill-hunterwhoisaftergrislyistotollittobaits。Thehuntereitherliesinambushnearthecarcass，orapproachesitstealthilywhenhethinksthebearisatitsmeal。
OnedaywhilecampedneartheBitterRootMountainsinMontanaIfoundthatabearhadbeenfeedingonthecarcassofamoosewhichlaysomefivemilesfromthelittleopengladeinwhichmytentwaspitched，andImadeupmymindtotrytogetashotatitthatafternoon。I
stayedincamptillaboutthreeo’clock，lyinglazilybackonthebedofsweet-smellingevergreenboughs，watchingthepackponiesastheystoodunderthepinesontheedgeoftheopen，stampingnowandthen，andswitchingtheirtails。Theairwasstill，theskyagloriousblue；
atthathourintheafternooneventheSeptembersunwashot。Thesmokefromthesmoulderinglogsofthecampfirecurledthinlyupwards。Littlechipmunksscuttledoutfromtheirholestothepacks，whichlayinaheapontheground，andthenscuttledmadlybackagain。