A HUNTER'S CAMP-FIRES 



beast called Biggs — a cross between a bulldog and bull-terrier. 

 Although the last two mentioned animals were not as good 

 trailers as the hounds, when they finally overtook the game 

 they did not lose any time in closing in with it. On the other 

 hand, the hounds would bay very loudly, but only make half- 

 hearted attacks on the bear until given a lead by the smaller 

 and more aggressive members of the pack. While there was 

 some very good material among these dogs, unfortunately this 

 pack consisted of a recent accumulation of parts of several 

 packs, and its members were not accustomed, as yet, to work 

 together. Consequently much confusion occurred in each chase, 

 and the dogs were too scattered to be effective in stopping or 

 treeing bears in such a rough country as we were obliged to 

 hunt. 



During the morning we travelled along a wagon-road which 

 followed the Gunnison, passing through several towns, and then 

 winding up into the mountains, where it terminated in a desul- 

 tory cattle-trail. Through the entire afternoon we continued on 

 this path, which wound around the steep slopes below the rim 

 of the deep and picturesque Black Caiion of the Gunnison. Far 

 below, and invisible from this height, the tracks of the railroad 

 passed between narrow and gloomy gorges, through which the 

 river poured toward the Rio Grande. As we rode along we 

 could see afar off the endlessly changing panoramas of the 

 snow-capped peaks of the Rockies. Several times, late in the 

 afternoon, we noticed imprints made by the feet of the bears in 

 the muddy trail we were following. These always brought 

 forth a succession of eager whines and deep-throated bays from 

 the pack in our wake. Toward twilight we reached the rim 

 of the deep canon of Crystal Creek, and for several hours after 

 dark urged the weary horses through willows and sage-brush. 

 Finally a tiny flickering Hght appeared in the distance, and after 

 the horses had stumbled along for another hour we reached the 

 ranch-house with its glow of welcome. About ten o'clock, after 



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