THE GRIZZLY BEAR. 227 



more than twelve feet long and over five high logs and 

 stones all piled on top of the carcass. I had scarcely time 

 to notice this before there was a rush in the underbrush, 

 and the head and shoulders of an old Grizzly appeared 

 within a few feet of my face. He had been dozing beside 

 the carcass, and hearing, when I was very close, my cautious 

 footstep, he rushed forward to see who was threatening his 

 prize. It was as impossible for him to see us as for us to 

 see him, till we were within a few feet of each other. Had 

 the Bear rushed straight on, I do not think I would have 

 had time to shoot; but that is what a Grizzly does not do, 

 whatever men may say. He, like all his kind, reared up 

 for a moment, to have a better look at us; and scarcely 

 waiting to put my rifle to my shoulder, I gave him a ' ' line- 

 shot ' ' about eight inches below his nose. He sunk down, 

 dead as a stone. I never saw a live Grizzly so close before 

 the hair was fairly singed by my powder and I certainly 

 have no desire to see one any closer. This habit of rearing 

 up gives the hunter, if he be at all cool and his rifle a 

 good one, all the chance that he can require in his favor. 

 Another curious thing about this splendid animal is that, 

 except when close up to his enemy, he almost always falls 

 to shot, even though the wound received may not be 

 fatal. He falls and roars as the bullet strikes him, and 

 thus increases the odds against himself. This Bear, the 

 last I have killed, had an unusually fine coat. He had the 

 largest head for his size I ever saw, and when the skin 

 was pegged out, without undue stretching, it measured 

 eight feet six inches across the arms, from claw to claw. 



