A BEAR-HUNT. 71 



We found a numoer of Indians camped round Ki-chi-mo-ko- 

 man's house, many of them having been at the big Cree council 

 to which I had been summoned . These men told me that they 

 did not think I should have been killed, even if old " White 

 Hawk" had not taken me under his protection, but that I 

 should most certainly have been robbed of all I had with me, 

 and have been warned out of the country. 



The following morning Ki-chi-mo-ko-man, Badger, and I 

 started for the bear-hole, which was about four miles from the 

 cabin, and found that it was in a small thicket of willows, and 

 that the only aperture was a breathing-hole, some three inches 

 in diameter. An Indian had taken shelter in the bushes during 

 a snow-storm, and had discovered the hole by accident. It was 

 arranged that Ki-chi-mo-ko-man should stir up the bear, and 

 that Badger and I should stand ready I with a double sixteen- 

 bore rifle and Badger with a single Indian trade gun. It took 

 a good deal of stirring to make the bear move, and then, with 

 a loud grunt, out he came a half-grown, cinnamon-coloured 

 bear and he was at once rolled over by a shot from the double 

 rifle. I was stepping forward to take a nearer view of him, 

 when out came another huge bear, which turned out to be the 

 mother, who, taking in the state of affairs at a glance, came 

 straight at me. I had snow-shoes on, so I could not run away; 

 I therefore took careful aim at her chest, at about ten feet 

 distance, with my remaining barrel, and fired. She fell, but I 

 think would have been up again in a moment, had not Badger, 

 who usually did not display much courage, stepped forward 

 and, putting his gun to her head, finished her. Her skin 

 measured 7 feet 10 inches by 6 feet 4 inches, and I think she 

 weighed 600 Ib. 



