THE RUFFED GROUSE. 1471 
to run arace with ’em. Not knowing what else to do, 
I gave a yell that was loud enough to knock down some 
trees. That fetched ’em, for they ran past me as fast 
as a yaller dog with a tin pan tied to his tail, They 
were awfully skeered, I tell you, for they didn’t even 
stop to say good-night. I was mighty glad when they got 
out of sight, for my courage was beginning to leave me. 
As soon as the noise of their footfalls died away, I went 
to my cabin and was soon fast asleep. I was up before 
daylight next morning, and being anxious to see if I had 
hit the grizzlies, I seized my rifle, put a bottle in my 
pocket, and went back to the carcass. On looking at the 
ground I saw signs of blood, so I concluded that I had 
done their hides some damage. I also noticed that the 
footprints of one grizzly only were to be seen, though I 
could almost swear I saw two gigantic fellows the night 
before. After thinking over the matter I decided that 
the juice had made me see double, and that made me 
mad at myself, for I hate to be fooled that way. I was 
so mad that I said to myself, ‘ Now, you old fool, you 
must get that bear or you don’t amount to shucks,’ It 
was very foolish to think that way, but I did, so I started 
off on Ephraim’s trail. It was very easy to follow that, 
as blood was sprinkled over the leaves. In about half an 
hour I entered a canyon, and the first thing I saw there 
was old Ephraim, who was lying in some bushes. His 
face was covered with blood, and his head must have 
been mighty sore, for he shook it every few moments. I 
was very glad to meet him, but my feelings soon changed, 
for on lifting his head he saw me and charged me like a 
mad bull. Not caring to become any better acquainted, 
as I don’t like the way a grizzly hugs, I turned tail and 
ran for the top of the canyon as fast as I could. The 
bear was more than a match for me ina race, however, 
and he was soon so near that I thought I could feel his 
burning breath. I was so pumped im ashort time that I 
