THE GRIZZLY BEAR. 69 



sometimes think it the better part of valor to beat a vapid 

 retreat. The captain of the skirmish-line gave us orders 

 how to. move by the wave of his hand, and all obeyed most 

 promptly. On reaching the wood, we held the reins tight- 

 er, grasped the saddle closer with our legs, and placed the 

 barrel of the rifle in the crook of the left arm. This was 

 no sooner done than the dogs gave tongue ; the chorus be- 

 came loud, then broken and general, and in a few minutes 

 after a splendid male grizzly emerged from the bushes, 

 about one hundred yards distant. When he saw the circle 

 around him he hesitated a moment; but the noise of the 

 dogs soon decided his movements, and he made for the 

 opening in front. Bang went a rifle, followed in a second 

 by another. My horse, which had been restless, now 

 showed undoubted terror ; he wheeled, and was making 

 for the rear at his best pace ; but when I got the reins out 

 of my mouth and into my hands, I gave the Spanish bit a 

 touch that nearly threw him on his haunches, and, wheeling 

 him, I made for my place in the crescent. I found my 

 mustang was not alone in his fright, for I saw two more 

 making their best strides for home. When I reached my 

 position, Bruin was making for that direction, as it was the 

 only opening left. I fired at him twice in rapid succes- 

 sion ; but at this moment my mustang became alarmed 

 again at the object approaching, and wheeled to the rear. 

 He had not gone far ere I checked him ; caused him to 

 make a demi-volt, and got another shot. Bullets wore 

 whizzing thickly around his bearship at this time, and he 

 did not go five yards farther ere he fell, groaning, to the 

 ground, and bleeding profusely. Two revolver -shots in 

 the head finished him, and our prize lay outstretched be- 

 fore us in all his inanimate majesty. Who killed him ? 

 Every one was willing to bet or swear that he had hit him, 

 yet, on examining the body, only three bullets were found, 

 though fifty must have been fired. The whole time occu- 

 pied by this contest did not exceed ten minutes, yet it 

 would seem as though a small army was firing, so rapidly 

 were the leaden missiles poured forth. 



