66 AUDUBON 



thirst, and exposure. They were received at the fort, but 

 in a short time, less than a week afterwards, he again ran 

 off with his family, and on foot. The discovery was soon 

 made, and two men were sent after him ; but he eluded 

 their vigilance by keeping close in ravines, etc. The men 

 returned, and two others with an Indian were despatched 

 en a second search, and after much travel saw the man 

 and his family on an island, where he had taken refuge 

 from his pursuers. The Buffalo-hide canoe in which he 

 had attempted to cross the river was upset, and it was with 

 difficulty that he saved his wife and children. They were 

 now unable to escape, and when talking as to the best way 

 to secure their return to the fort, the soldiers saw him 

 walk to the body of a dead Buffalo lying on the shore of 

 the island, with the evident intention of procuring some of 

 it for food. As he stooped to cut off a portion, to his 

 utter horror he saw a small Grizzly Bear crawl out from 

 the carcass. It attacked him fiercely, and so suddenly 

 that he was unable to defend himself; the Bear lacerated 

 his face, arms, and the upper part of his body in a fright- 

 ful manner, and would have killed him, had not the In- 

 dian raised his gun and fired at the Bear, wounding him 

 severely, while a second shot killed him. The engage 

 was too much hurt to make further effort to escape, and 

 one of the Company's boats passing soon after, he and his 

 family were taken back to the fort, where he was kept to 

 await his trial. 



June 20, Thursday. It rained hard during the night, 

 but at dawn Provost went shooting and returned to 

 dinner, having shot a doe, which was skinned and the 

 meat saved. He saw a Grouse within a few feet of 

 him, but did not shoot, as he had only a rifle. Bell and 

 I took a long walk, and shot several birds. We both 

 were surprised to find a flock of Cliff Swallows endeavor- 

 ing to build nests beneath the ledges of a clay bank. 

 Watching the moment when several had alighted against 



