The Bear and the Bison. 167 



As my quaint old trapper friend, " Bonanza Clark," has figured 

 in these pages as a slayer of 'bar, the reader may like to obtain a 

 closer view of this hardy "old timer," by perusing the following 

 sample of his epistolary powers. He will also see from it that 

 in places big game was still plentiful, for it was written not so many 

 years ago. The passages I give are copied verbatim. 



MY VERY DEER FRIEND, your letter of July 24 surprised me very 

 much for I had come to the conclusion that you had forgoten me and 

 this part of the country. I was ever so glad to hear from you and had I hav 

 known your address I should hav joged your memary long ere this. Well 

 by the way Mr. Grohmen there is no one living whom I would bee more 

 pleased to see here than your humble self. Elk is quite plentiful here yet 

 But the bear and mountin sheap is geting quite scearse. By the way there is 

 quite a number of moos near here but they are the Devils to hunt there 

 are some very large bulls north and south from my place come to see me 

 and we will go for them read headed. I think there is more moose here 

 now than there was when you were and I have killed (?) bulls since you 

 were here. The country you speake of between Peak and peak 

 is or has never been hunted and in fact is full of game, every Faul a few 

 tender feet occasionally come up from L., but they generly are afraid of 

 geting lost and never stay but a few days. If it is possible for you to 

 come doo so and we will hav a good oald Bear Hunt. 2 nice Bear 

 passed my Place, or rather the mining cabin Early this spring and went in 

 the direction of Fish Lake one was a very large grisley. Hoping to hear 

 from you more often I remain as of Oald a true and trusty Friend, yours 

 very truly. 



Oh, By the Heavens, I come very near forgeting to Thank you For those 

 two Books you sent me for the same 1 am ever so much obliged ; they 

 were very Interesting, esspecialy Maister Oldenbuck and the German 

 Dusterswivel. The About [Abbot] was also Interesting, particularly 

 ' that portion refering to Mary Stuart Qeueen of Scotland. I 

 could but wish I had been Born a woman and as prety as she 

 was, though Beauty has ruined many and Sent millions to an 

 untimley grave. In her case it brought grief and sorrow. Allow me to 

 inquire If you hav a Dusterswivel in your Book and to remark if There is 

 any Oldentree It must be me. At least I am over anxious to see it and 

 will peruse it with much interest. I hav the nicest curosity that I hav ever 

 come acrost in those mountains or any where else it is the skin of a Lynxs 

 fore Paws. I intend sending them to my Girl, but will keep them for you 



