A Bear-Hunt in the Sierras 



cessible snarl of bushes, where the crackling 

 underbrush would warn her of approach as 

 fully as could the most complete system of 

 burglar alarms. 



That night, leaving word that whoever might 

 be the first to stir in the morning should call 

 me, I unrolled my blankets under a spruce 

 somewhat apart from the crowd, and was soon 

 asleep. Before daylight I was astir, had a cup 

 of coffee and a bite, and was off. Upon the 

 previous afternoon I had picked the direction 

 I would take, which was to skirt certain open- 

 ings in the forest below. Fresh sign I saw 

 that assured me of the excellence of the range 

 for bear, but I encountered nothing alive worth 

 powder and ball, and returned to camp about 

 9 o'clock. I was greeted by Leonard with 

 the joyful news that during my absence he 

 had seen from camp a big bear cross the side 

 of the mountain only a mile or so away, and 

 disappear over the ridge. This happened 

 about 7 o'clock. The chief herder and my 

 companion received the information some- 

 what in a spirit of respectful incredulity, but 

 Leonard assured me that it was so, and we 

 made preparations to follow the trail toward 

 night. Meanwhile I breakfasted and slept. 



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