THE BEAR 
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were singing one comic song. There are many more . 11 
“Why didn't the bear climb the tree and get the 
colored man, Uncle Ely ? 11 Buck asked. 
“It's a good question, Buck. I expect you have seen 
pictures of bears up in trees, haven't you?" 
“Yes, sir." 
“Well, it happens that those were other kinds of 
bears. Fortunately, the grimly doesn't climb trees. 
I'm not sure why he doesn't, but he doesn't. He can 
swim and fight and run very fast, but I never heard 
of one climbing. This has saved many a man's life. 
“In the old days, when your grandfather was a boy, 
grizzlies were plentiful in our United States, especially 
in our western mountain country. Hunters and set' 
tiers did not know at first how fierce grizzlies were. 
A man would raise his rifle and shoot, but the bear 
wouldn't fall. He would just keep coming toward 
him, growling and snarling enough to scare even the 
bravest hunter. He would dash right up to the man, 
knock him over with one terrific blow, clawing him 
at the same time. I believe it is said that grizzlies 
killed more outdoorsmen than any other beast. The 
ordinary rifle would only wound a grizzly and make 
him more dangerous, although he might die later." 
All the travelers were greatly interested in what 
