Early History Lewis and Clark 19 



passed through him in different directions. The bear was 

 old and the meat tough, so that they took the skin only." 



May 22, 1805. "We have not seen in this quarter 

 [since passing the Muscle Shell] the black bear common in 

 the United States, and on the lower parts of the Missouri, 

 nor have we discerned any of their tracks. They may 

 easily be distinguished by the shortness of the talons from 

 the brown, grizzly, or white bear, all of which seem to be 

 of the same family, which assumes those colors at different 

 seasons of the year." 



June 12, 1805. On coming out to the Missouri River 

 from an expedition inland, they this day saw two large 

 brown bears and killed them both at the first fire "a 

 circumstance which has never before occurred since we 

 have seen that animal." 



June 14, 1805, at the Falls of the Missouri. "Captain 

 Lewis met a herd of at least one thousand buffalo, and 

 being desirous of providing for supper, shot one of them. 

 The animal immediately began to bleed, and Captain Lewis, 

 who had forgotten to reload his rifle, was intently watching 

 to see him fall, when he beheld a large brown bear, which 

 was stealing on him unperceived and was already within 

 twenty steps. In the first moment of surprise he lifted 

 his rifle, but remembering instantly that it was not charged 

 and that he had no time to reload, he felt that there was no 

 safety but in flight. It was in the open, level plain not a 

 bush or a tree within three hundred yards, the bank of the 

 river sloping and not more than three feet high, so that 

 there was no possible mode of concealment. Captain Lewis 

 therefore thought of retreating in a quick walk, as fast 

 as the bear advanced, toward the nearest tree; but as soon 



