132 BIG GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



killed it. We had to carry the wounded man sixty miles 

 on a stretcher, and he never fully recovered from his terri- 

 ble experience. 



After disemboweling my Deer and hanging the carcass 

 on a tree, I determined to cross over to another ridge. To 

 do this, I had to descend into a valley which was full of 

 brush. As I was pushing my way through this, I suddenly 

 became aware of the presence of a Bear. I did not see the 

 animal at first, but I smelt her. This may seem strange to 

 some of my readers, but it is the fact, nevertheless; and as 

 I looked up, I saw a large female Black Bear standing 

 erect, not more than thirty feet from me. She was looking 

 straight at me, and apparently had her nose turned up, 

 thereby disclosing a very formidable set of ivories. When 

 she saw that I had discovered her, she gave vent to a deep 

 growl that was full of meaning. She probably had cubs in 

 the neighborhood, for these animals will generally run from 

 a man, unless they be so incumbered. Not wishing to have 

 any trouble with so quick and powerful an animal in the 

 thick brush, I quickly, and as quietly as possible, "craw- 

 fished" my way into the open. 



Upon getting out, my courage returned to me, and I 

 determined to go through there. Bruin or no Bruin; so, 

 cocking my Winchester, I marched bravely in, but the 

 animal had by this time disappeared. After a hard climb, 

 I found myself at noon on top of the highest ridge of 

 this high region, and sat down on a rock to eat my lunch. 

 My sportsman friend, if you have any love for the beauties 

 of Nature, and had been with me that day, you would 

 have had but little time for the disposal of that plain 

 lunch— you would have had your attention almost wholly 

 taken up by the beautiful sight which was spread out to 

 my vision. You have doubtless visited a cyclorama; and 

 the position I occupied was similar to that of the people 

 who occui^y the central platform of one of these institu- 

 tions. A beautiful view was s]3read out to me on all sides. 

 In these high altitudes the atmosphere is wonderfully 

 clear, and one can see a great .distance. 



