Hunting the Grisly 125 



stood and strode into the thicket, holding his 

 rifle at the port. Hardly had he taken three 

 steps when the bear rose in front of him, roar- 

 ing with rage and pain. It was so close that 

 the man had no chance to fire. Its fore-arms 

 hung useless and as it reared unsteadily on its 

 hind-legs, lunging forward at him, he seized 

 it by the ears and strove to hold it back. His 

 strength was very great, and he actually kept 

 the huge head from his face and braced him- 

 self so that he was not overthrown; but the 

 bear twisted its muzzle from side to side, bit- 

 ing and tearing the man's arms and shoulders. 

 Another soldier jumping down slew the beast 

 with a single bullet, and rescued his comrade ; 

 but though alive he was too badly hurt to 

 recover and died' after reaching the hospital. 

 Buffalo Bill was given the bear-skin, and I 

 believe he has it now. 



The instances in which hunters who have 

 rashly followed grislies into thick cover have 

 been killed or severely mauled might be mul- 

 tiplied indefinitely. I have myself known 

 of eight cases in which men have met their 

 deaths in this manner. 



It occasionally happens that a cunning old 

 grisly will lie so close that the hunter almost 

 steps on him ; and he then rises suddenly with 



