228 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



man being ; a remarkable instance of which is men- 

 tioned in the detail of my wanderings in the previous 

 article. The lynxes are by no means so numerous as 

 the wolves, but they are equally destructive, and indi- 

 vidually more daring. They generally travel alone, or 

 in couples, and seldom fly as the wolves do on the first 

 approach of man. The largest American lynx, does not 

 exceed in size, an English mastiff. 



Bears are scarce about the plains, but they are found 

 in considerable numbers in the vicinity of the woods and 

 lakes. Their flesh is excellent, particularly in the sum- 

 mer and autumnal months, when roots and wild fruit are 

 had in abundance. They are most dangerous animals 

 to encounter, especially if they are slightly wounded, or 

 that any of their cubs are in danger, in which case, they 

 will rush on a man, though he were armed at all points ; 

 and wo to him if Bruin should once enfold him in his 

 dreadful grasp. 



I have seen several of our hunters, as well as many 

 Indians, who had been dreadfully lacerated in their en- 

 counters with bears ; some have been deprived of their 

 ears, others had their noses nearly torn off, and a few 

 have been completely blinded. 



From the scarcity of food in the spring months, they 

 are then more savage than at any other season, and 

 during that period it is a highly dangerous experiment 

 to approach them. 



The following anecdote will prove this, and, were not 

 the fact confirmed by the concurrent testimony of ten 

 more, I would not have given it a place among my me- 

 morabilia. 



