HUNTING THE GRISLY. 101 



ing over the horse and rider with a single 

 sweep of its terrible fore-paws. It then turned 

 on the fallen man and tore him open, and 

 though the other Indians came promptly to 

 his rescue and slew his assailant, they were 

 not in time to save their comrade's life. 



A bear is apt to rely mainly on his teeth or 

 claws according to whether his efforts are 

 directed primarily to killing his foe or to mak- 

 ing good his own escape. In the latter event 

 he trusts chiefly to his claws. If cornered, he 

 of course makes a rush for freedom, and in that 

 case he downs any man who is in his way 

 with a sweep of his great paw, but passes on 

 without stopping to bite him. If while sleep- 

 ing or resting in thick brush some one suddenly 

 stumbles on him close up he pursues the same 

 course, less from anger than from fear, being 

 surprised and startled. Moreover, if attacked 

 at close quarters by men and dogs he strikes 

 right and left in defence. 



Sometimes what is called a charge is rather 

 an effort to get. away. In localities where he 

 has been hunted, a bear, like every other kind 

 of game, is always on the look-out for an at- 

 tack, and is prepared at any moment for im- 

 mediate flight. He seems ever to have in his 

 mind, whether feeding, sunning himself, or 

 merely roaming around, the direction usually 

 towards the thickest cover or most broken 

 ground in which he intends to run if molested. 

 When shot at he instantly starts towards this 

 place ; or he may be so confused that he simply 

 runs he knows not whither ; and in either 



