Memories of a Bear Hunter 



pistol grip, and with a few pieces of brass, He re- 

 paired the old stock sufficiently for use, and within 

 a few days, from a pine stump and with a few camp 

 tools, had made and fitted on a stock which I used 

 for the remainder of the season. 



Besides these, I had two other camp compan- 

 ions, Nip, my constant associate during the season 

 of 1880, and Tuck, a half -grown pup of nonde- 

 script breed, which, under Nip's tutelage, I hoped 

 would become useful. Nip had been given me by 

 Jack Smith, of Bozeman, and was a cross between 

 a Scotch terrier and a collie. He had been reared 

 by a man who had hunted bears and had already 

 learned much about their habits. He was not 

 afraid of any grizzly that wore hair, but knew 

 enough of their habits, and had sufficient activity, 

 to keep out of the reach of their teeth and claws. 



We crossed the Yellowstone May 5, swimming 

 the horses at Benson's Landing, and crossing the 

 baggage and men on a ferry. We went up to the 

 edge of the mountains on Mission Creek, and soon 

 after crossing, Hofer killed an elk for meat. In 

 place of his own rifle, Hofer was carrying one of 

 mine a .40-90 Sharps business rifle. I had fur- 

 nished 225-grain hollow-pointed ball. The car- 

 tridges were loaded with 100 grains C. & H. 

 powder. At short range the effect of this bullet 



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