spear, he held in contempt; for the powerful re- 

 peating rifle he has a profound respect. He has 

 been wise to adjust himself to this influential 

 factor of environment or evolutionary force. He 

 has thus become less inquisitive and aggressive, 

 and more retiring and wary. He has learned to 

 keep out of sight and out of man's way. 



A grizzly acts so promptly in emergencies 

 that he has often been misunderstood. He fights 

 because he thinks he has to, not because he 

 wants to. 



On one occasion in Wyoming I was running 

 down a mountain-side, leaping fallen fire-killed 

 timber. In the midst of this I surprised a grizzly 

 by landing within a few feet of him. He leaped 

 to his feet and struck at me with sufficient force 

 to have almost cut me in two had the blow 

 landed. Then he instantly fled. 



On other occasions I have seen grizzlies sur- 

 prised, when, though not cornered, they thought 

 they were and instantly commenced a fierce and 

 effective fight. Dogs, horses, and men were 

 charged in rapid succession and either knocked 

 down or put to flight ; yet in these fights he was 



195 



