8 STALKS ABROAD 



the debauch, half of them had disappeared to fulfil 

 after-dinner engagements elsewhere. 



At one time the tourists were allowed to feed 

 these animals, and the hotel employe's made great 

 pets of them. This practice, however, was very 

 wisely put a stop to, as sooner or later a serious 

 accident would be bound to have occurred. 



One amusing incident happened which might 

 have had a tragic ending, also whilst we were at 

 the Canyon. A large female silver tip in the neigh- 

 bourhood, frenzied at the loss of her cubs, or for 

 some other reason, suddenly ran amuck. She started 

 operations by robbing a lumber camp. Some unfor- 

 tunate female domestics, whom she scared out of 

 their wits, were her next victims. She then sighted 

 two lumbermen one evening and bore down on them 

 with many growls. They fled to a fir tree with 

 the bear close behind. The tree was small and the 

 branches slender, but one of the men found a refuge 

 half-way up the trunk. The bear, thinking no doubt 

 that its hindmost victim would be unable to find a 

 seat, as he swung himself into safety thoughtfully 

 deprived him of that portion of his clothing of 

 which he would least stand in need. Thoroughly 

 pleased with her latest exploit she proceeded to 

 romp about the foot of the tree uttering horrible 

 noises until the corporal of the troop of U.S. cavalry 

 stationed close by came to the rescue. His horse, a 

 noted bear-fighter, went straight for the beast, while 

 he emptied four barrels of his six-shooter at it at close 



