184 HUNTING SPORTS OP THE WEST. 



once we thought we heard a shot, but could not be cer- 

 tain. We ascended to the highest terrace and walked 

 slowly on, looking out for fresh signs, and listening to 

 catch the sound of the dogs ; below, amongst the broken 

 masses of rock, they might be near without being heard, 

 while on the mountain tops, they are audible at a great 

 distance. 



It may have been about two in the afternoon, and we 

 had hitherto seen nothing, when Bearsgrease raised his 

 nose in the air, remained for an instant or two in a fixed 

 position, then giving a short smothered howl, dashed 

 down the mountain side. Listening attentively, we 

 heard the chase coming down the Hurricane river. 

 Erskine called out triumphantly, " We shall have plenty 

 of bear this evening/' and dashed after the dog. I was 

 soon by his side. I must observe by the way, that we 

 were both very hungry. Presently a bear broke through 

 the bushes ; a projecting rock stopped him for an in- 

 stant, when Erskine saluted him with a ball : he received 

 mine as he rushed past, and disappeared. The dogs, 

 encouraged to greater efforts by our shots and the stronger 

 scent, followed him out ; Bearsgrease, who was quite fresh, 

 leading. the van. They soon came up with him and stopped 

 him. We rushed to the spot without waiting to reload, 

 and arrived in time to see the beast, excited to the greatest 

 fury, kill four of our best dogs with as many blows of 

 his paws ; but the others only -threw themselves on him 

 with the greater animosity, and if our rifles had been 

 loaded, we could not haye used them. Just as a large 

 powerful brown dog, which had furiously attacked the 

 bear, was knocked over bleeding and howling, Erskine 



