102 HUNTING THE GRISLY. 



event he may take a line that leads almost 

 directly to or by the hunter, although he had 

 at first no thought of charging. In such a case 

 he usually strikes a single knock-down blow 

 and gallops on without halting, though that 

 one blow may have taken life. If the claws 

 are long and fairly sharp (as in early spring, 

 or even in the fall, if the animal has been work- 

 ing over soft ground) they add immensely to 

 the effect of the blow, for they cut like blunt 

 axes. Often, however, late in the season, and 

 if the ground has been dry and hard, or rocky, 

 the claws are worn down nearly to the quick, 

 and the blow is then given mainly with the 

 under side of the paw ; although even under 

 this disadvantage a thump from a big bear 

 will down a horse or smash in a man's breast. 

 The hunter Hofer once lost a horse in this 

 manner. He shot at and wounded a bear 

 which rushed off, as ill luck would have it, 

 past the place where his horse was picketed ; 

 probably more in fright than in anger it struck 

 the poor beast a blow which, in the end, proved 

 mortal. 



If a bear means mischief and charges not to 

 escape but to do damage, its aim is to grapple 

 with or throw down its foe and bite him to 

 death. The charge is made at a gallop, the 

 animal sometimes coming on silently, with the 

 mouth shut, and sometimes with the jaws open, 

 the lips drawn back and teeth showing, utter- 

 ing at the same time a succession of roars or 

 of savage rasping snarls. Certain bears charge 

 without any bluster and perfectly straight; 



