52 ANECDOTE OF A GRIZZLY BEAR. 



a canoe belonging to another tribe, when returning 

 from a visit. The bear, very properly obeyed; but 

 the Indian, into whose canoe he entered, not liking 

 the intrusion, or fearing, perhaps that he might 

 fancy a young child for dinner, gave him an uncivil 

 reception with his cane. This was considered an 

 affront; for the bear was looked upon as one of his 

 master's family, the insult was accordingly resented, 

 and hostilities commenced between the tribes. 



A half-grown specimen was kept chained in the 

 yard of the Missouri Fur Company, near Engineer 

 Cantonment. He was fed, during the winter, prin- 

 cipally on vegetable food, as it w r as observed that 

 he became extremely fierce when too plentifully 

 supplied with animal fare. Confinement seemed 

 irksome to him; no doubt his thoughts often wan- 

 dered to the wild rocks and precipices where he 

 first saw the light. His attendants sometimes 

 ventured to play with him, though always with 

 great caution, as they feared to get within his grasp. 

 Yet he occasionally broke loose, and when this 

 occurred he manifested the greatest joy, either by 

 running about the yard, or rearing on his hind legs, 

 and capering in all directions. Dr. James was pre- 

 sent at one of these exhibitions. The Squaws and 

 children, belonging to the establishment, ran preci- 

 pitately to their huts, and closed the doors with 

 dread. Even the dogs avoided him in his bois- 

 terous rounds; and finding no other playmates, he 

 ran to Dr. James, began rearing on his hind legs, 

 and placed his huge paws upon his chest. All this 

 was done in sport, but Dr. James, wishing to rid 

 himself of such rude gambols, turned him round, 



