182 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



bend in the cave, which was only eight feet deep, pre 

 vented our seeing him. He would not have cared much 

 for the dogs, but as I approached, the wind was behind 

 me ; the moment he discovered me, he began snorting 

 and growling, and made a rush which nearly upset me, 

 although I sprang on one side. Conwell, who had seen 

 many such affairs, cooly stood at the entrance with his 

 rifle cocked, watching my proceedings. The report of 

 the rifle was heard before I and the dogs had recovered 

 our composure after the rush ; the bear seemed to be de- 

 termined that nothing should stop him, and disappeared in 

 a gorge ; but the dogs roused by the shot, were soon on 

 his traces. The old man laughed heartily as he saw me 

 standing, knife in hand, quite disconcerted at the mouth 

 of the cave, and regretted that he had not been able to 

 give all his attention to my admirable jump, as he was 

 obliged to look after the beast. 



We followed the dogs, and on examining a rock which 

 the bear had crossed, we found drops of dark blood, and 

 were tolerably sure of him. Weakened with loss of 

 blood, he had not run far before the dogs came up with 

 him. As they were both young and untrained to bears, 

 he had not much trouble in keeping them off, but they 

 answered our purpose in stopping him. I came up just 

 as he had shaken off the dogs, and was climbing a steep 

 bluff. I fired and struck his right paw, and as he fell, 

 the dogs seized him again ; my companion now arrived, 

 and coolly taking aim, sent a ball through his heart. 

 He was a fat two-year-old, and promised a delicate re- 

 past ; we decided on taking him home. So, while C. 

 skinned and cut him up, I returned to the camp, to fetch 



