192 BIG GAME FIELDS 



other side, I sat astride, for another sharp look 

 and to listen. 



I had no sooner gained my comfortable seat 

 than directly in front of me, not more than 

 twenty-five yards distant, my attention was at- 

 tracted by a "Wlnoof!" Now, if I had known 

 exactly where this bear was and had practiced 

 stalking it all my life I could not have done it 

 better, though it was, of course, mostly a matter 

 of luck. I could just see his black head and neck, 

 a bush concealing the rest of him completely. 

 Upon hearing his Whoof! I had swung my little 

 carbine to my shoulder (for I was only carrying 

 a .32 special), and dropped a ball through the 

 lower part of his neck. The bear went down, 

 falling behind some brush and rocks, which pre- 

 vented me momentarily from seeing him while 

 I worked the lever in case another shot was 

 needed. To my surprise the bear had gained his 

 feet and was coming up a little trail that led di- 

 rectly toward me. Now, I did not think for a 

 moment that this bear was charging me; I be- 

 lieved he was simply running blind and had taken 

 this trail as the easiest apparent way of making 

 off. Contrary to all my learning and experience 

 here was a black bear coming on, and, what was 

 more, getting uncomfortably close, too. I got 



