Memories of a Bear Hunter 



feet high at the shoulders and seven or seven and 

 a half from the end of his nose to the end of his 

 tail. Standing erect on his hind feet he would 

 have measured eight feet high with his head level. 

 He was in good order, but not fat, and would have 

 weighed about six hundred pounds. Though not 

 as well furred as he would have been later in the 

 winter, his robe was a large one. After skinning 

 the bear, Messiter and Fishel took up the trail of 

 the mother and cubs, while I carried the skin to 

 camp. The trail was followed until the sun had 

 set, and the two hunters then returned. 



We remained in this camp until the i8th of 

 September to allow the robes to dry. There were 

 many deer about, and we killed enough for food. 



Our next camp was at Warm Spring Creek, 

 about ten miles distant in an air line, but twelve or 

 fifteen by the route we were obliged to follow. 

 This is a bold running stream when it leaves the 

 mountains, but in autumn it sinks at the crossing 

 of the Carroll and Helena roads. The camp 

 selected was in the canon where the creek leaves the 

 mountains, a spot well sheltered from storms, with 

 an abundance of dry wood and pure water. It was 

 an ideal camping site, the more desirable as the 

 time was approaching when snowstorms might be 

 expected. The Judith Basin at this time was a 



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