IN THE FAR WEST. 45 



The animal had staggered three or lour times, charged twice, 

 and fallen once, while this fusillade was taking place, and 

 finally halted, one of its shoulders having been broken. This 

 was the opportunity we wanted, so taking deliberate aim at 

 its head with our rifles we fired, and it fell dead in its tracks. 

 An examination proved that it had eight bullets in it, one of 

 which was in the heart, one in the fore-shoulder, two in the 

 skull, and the remainder scattered over the body. Those in 

 the brain were what had slain it, for one of them entered the 

 occiputal region and broke the bone. We found it to be a 

 full-grown male, but it was very thin. My companion 

 skinned it rapidly, and kindly gave me the hide ; but notwith- 

 standing all my pains with it, some red man i.s now probably 

 using it, as it was captured with other cherished articles by 

 the Indians during one of their raids on a waggon train. 



While accompanying a party of Indian scouts in the Govern- 

 ment service, on another occasion. 1 had a most unheroic 

 contest with a grizzly, and one which might be left untold 

 but for the fact that it proves the affection of the female for 

 her cubs. After a hard day's march the camp was pitched in 

 a pine forest on a high hill, and when supper was over and 

 the horses were picketed, all retired to rest except one vedette 

 and a horse guard of two men. As we were thoroughly tired, 

 we slept so soundly that no noise could be heard, for even the 

 drowsy sentinels who relieved each other were too fatigued to 

 indulge in talk. Suddenly, about midnight, several rifle 

 reports were heard in rapid succession, and thinking this an 

 attack by the red foes of whom the expedition was in search 

 we rolled out of our blankets, seized our arms, and prepared 

 for a contest of life and death, for we did not care to lose our 

 scalps without making the enemy pay dearly for them. After 

 the first alarm was over, inquiries were made as to the cause 

 of the firing, and we learned from the guard over the horses 

 that a grizzly had been prowling about the camp, and they 

 were afraid that it would attack themselves or the animals 

 under their charge unless they shot at it and drove it away. 

 After receiving a severe reprimand for raising a needless 

 alarm, and firing without consulting their superior officer, the 



