G6 SPORTING ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 



As we were thoroughly tired, we slept so soundly that no 

 noise could be heard, for even the drowsy sentinels who 

 relieved each other were too fatigued to indulge in talk. 

 Suddenly, about midnight, several rifle reports were heard 

 in rapid succession ; and thinking this an attack by the 

 red foes of whom the expedition was in search, we rolled 

 out of our blankets, seized our arms, and prepared for a 

 contest of life and death, for we did not care to lose our 

 scalps without making the enemy pay dearly for them. 

 After the first alarm was over, inquiries were made as to 

 the cause of the firing, and we learned from the guard 

 over the horses that a grizzly had been prowling about 

 the camp, and they were afraid that it would attack them- 

 selves or the animals under their charge, unless they shot 

 at it and drove it away. After receiving a severe repri- 

 mand for raising a needless alarm, and firing without con- 

 sulting their superior officer, the encampment was once 

 more in sound repose. On awaking the next morning, we 

 concluded to go in search of the disturber of our sleep, 

 and to secure its hide as a forfeit for its daring. An 

 examination of the ground was first made, and that re- 

 vealed the tracks of a female and her two cubs ; and this 

 caused us to feel somewhat elated, as we hoped to have 

 some stirring amusement. Selecting eight men for the 

 hunt, and leaving the remainder in camp, much to their 

 disgust, we followed the trail until it was lost in the dense 

 shrubbery. This forced us to spread out, and each com- 

 menced a search for himself. I was on the extreme left 

 of the party, and my course led me along the banks of a 

 deep canyon and through heavy timber. While standing 

 listlessly near a large crag, and almost despairing of meet- 

 ing any bears, I saw a cub about six months old groping 

 about on the outer margin of some undergrowth. Think- 

 ing that it was alone, I fired at it, and hit it, I fancy, in 

 the abdomen, from the jump it gave; and, before it could 

 move off, I delivered a second shot as it wheeled around, 

 and tumbled it over. Presuming that I had mortally 

 wounded it, although it was growling and groaning fear- 



