HUNT/NS . 





A GRIZZLY 



COMBAT 



'^^^^^ 



" Tiic yarns ti^K the hunters were spinning, 



"T?- While the anglers were spinning their reels, 



^"Could not be, considered as sinning, 



Though they lacked the magistrates' seals." 



Speaking of athletic feats, said Mr. Ensign, of the National Adver- 

 tising Agency, New York, I recall a little incident that occurred during 

 my hunting experience in the Wild West. I was after grizzlies, and ordi- 

 narily had both my wits and mj- weapons about me, but this time, by 

 singular neglect, I started a short distance from the spot where my rifle 

 and hunting knife had been laid, and approaching a thicket was confronted 

 by the largest grizzly bear it was ever my good fortune to meet. I had 

 neither time nor inclination to run, as my coolness, courage and strength 

 were such that I felt myself the equal of any wild beast west of the 

 Rocky Mountains. The bear made a savage stroke at me with his paw, 

 but only succeeded in knocking off my hat, whereupon he performed the 

 scalp dance in a somewhat amusing manner, imagining, perhaps, that he 

 had removed the upper section of my skull. 



The battle which ensued was more exciting than any in which the 

 celebrated " Grizzly Adams " ever participated. Having no weapons 

 except those with which nature had provided me, I was at a disadvantage 

 in regard to size and strength, but equalized matters by my activity and 

 science. The bear evidently desired a contest of the " catch-as-catch-can " 

 order, but I would not accommodate him. I parried and cleverly avoided 

 every rush and stroke, and in turn dealt old Ephraim a number of fierce 

 blows over the heart w^hich staggered him, and finalh* killed the monster 

 by a fierce upper cut, which broke his jaw and dislocated 

 his neck. Strange as it may seem, I escaped without a scratch, 

 though somewhat exhausted, aiid had the battle continued 

 much longer, I really believe I might have been slightly injured. 

 The bear's head has been tastefully mounted, and adorns a shield 

 at mv home, as proof of the accuracv of my storv. 



8s 



