New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-09-13
From the Southern Literary Messenger for Septcnbe
HUGH GLASS,
A HUNTER OF THE MISSOURI

in the class OF the hero OF my sketch, who, lODO
miles beyond The last wave of the trouEous tide OF
emigration. seek their pleasures III the hunt OF a
Blackfoot Of the Rocky Mountains, grizzly bear
or a buffalo It must be difficult TO give even
faint idea Of the tolls and risks of q set OF men SO
constituted as to love mode OF life only tor these
attendants who exist but in the excitement OF mar
row escapes --of dangers avoided or overcome; who
often, such is their passionate devotion to rowing
choose it, and in preference to comfortable clrcum
stances within the pale of civilization Little has
been reared from this field, fertile in novel IN
cident. that its real life throws romance into the
shade.
The class of people above mentioned, excluded
from choice from all intercourse with the world OF
white men, are at different periods very differently
occupied at times, as trappers; at others, they
live with Indians, conforming in every respect to
their mode life; and often they are found entirely
alone, depending upon rifle, knife and few traps
for defence, subsistence and employment.
A trapping expedition arrived on the hunting
grounds is divided into parties of four five men,
which separate for long periods of time; and as
the beaver is mostly in the country of hostile In
dians, in and beyond the Rocky Mountains, it is
an employment of much hazard, and the parties
are under great pains for concealment. TraPPers,
and others who remain these regions, subsist for
years wholly upon game. They never taste bread,
nor can they procure salt. indispensable it
may be considered in civilized life.
To take the beaver requires practice and skill.
The trap is set, and then sunk in the stream to
certain depth (when the is deep for it to
rest upon the bottom) by means of floats attached,
and a chain confines il to something fixed, or very
heavy at the bottom. This depth must be such
1llat the animal, in swimming it, is caught by
the leg. The bat consists of some strong scent,
proceeding from substance placed directly oppo-
site upon the shore; oil taken from the body OF
the animal is generally used. The greatest care
Unnecessary to destroy all trace of the presence OF
the trapper when making his arrangements, which,
If discovered by the most sensitive instinct of tho
animal, it carefully avoids the place ,hoy thoro-
fore wade, or use canoe in setting the trap.
The solitary hunter is found occasionally thus
employed, for the sake of tbs trade with those who
visit the country solely for that purpose; getting
for his skins the few necessares of his situation,-
blankets, powder, lead, &c.
The white, or more properly the gray or grizzly
BEAR is, next to the Indian, the greatest enemy the
hunter meets with in this region it is the lion OF
our forests; the strongest and most formidable OF
all its animals. 1t about 400 pounds in weight;
Its claws more than three inches long; the buffalo
bull, perhaps stronger and more active than the
domestic is certain victim to its strength. If a
grizzly bear is reported to be in the vicinity OF an
Indian camp village, fifty or hundred war
rors turn out (as in the East for lion or tiger)
70 hunt to its death dangerous and dreaded a
neighbor
The grizzly bear never avoids, very often at
tacks a man while, on the other hand the hunter,
but under the most favorable circumstances care
fully avoids him.
La the summer of 1928, Immediately after the
desertien and conagration of the Arickara village,
consequent upon its attack by the Sixth Regiment
Iof &c .>;r Itx--
under tho direction of Major Henry, (that had
volunteered in that engagement left this point of
the Missouri River, intending to gain the head
waters of the yellow Stone TO make fall hunt tor
beaver. The party had journied four days in the
prairie; on the fifth we would introduce our hero
(who has been rather backward) to the attention
of the reader--if indeed, it has not been already
lost in the rugged field prepared for his reception.
On the fifth day, Glass (who engasee in
te eXpedition) left the main body, accompanied by
TWO others. TO make one of the usual hunts, by
which, while subsistence is acquired, the party is
not detained. Having, near night, succeeded in
killing buffalo, they were directing their common
course TO a point, near which. they knew, must be
the position of the camp for the night; 1t was on
small stream, and they passed near of its
curves, Glass became somewhat detached from the
others, intending drink Of its waters; at this
ment his progress was arrested by the sight of q
grizzly bear issuing from beneath the bank oppo.
site TO him. His companions, overcome by their
fears, which no obligation to share with him his
unavoidable danger could resist, pro6ted by their
more favorable situation attempt escape by flight
leaving him TO his destiny.
contest with grizzly bear, more tenacious o.
life than a buffalo, is always dangerous; to ins9se
probability of success and safety, all the energe.
must arise in proportion to the magnitude OF the
danger: and they must be shown in perfect cool
ness; the slightest falter, which with the many
would result fro n loss of this presence of mind
would render the case hopeless and insure de
strrctioR.
Glass would gladly have rctrcated but he knew
all attempt would be useless. This desperate
situation only nervcd him 30 the combat. All de,
pended upon the success Of his frst and onl,
shot ;--wtls an aim cool and deliberate but quick
lest greater rapid,y in the animal should render i,
more aacertain, he fred his rifle. he shot was
good one; eventually mortal; but its immediate
eneet was only 10 raise 10 its utmost degree the
ferocity OF the animal, already greatly excited by
the sight and opposition of It's intended prey; i,
bounded forward with rapidity that could not be
eluded,. in pursuit of its tiyieg adversary. whom
dagger, with means OF defence, had inspired with
deliberate action. but now only gave wings for his
flight. But ii was unavailing and he knew it:-
appalling rear OF pain and rage. which alone
could render palsid check of tirRness, chilled him
the soul; he heard il rs requiem for departed
spirit ;he was overtaken, crushed TO the Garth and
rendered nsensbie but TO thoughts OF instan, death
The act OF contact had been two blows, inilic,ins
CHASTITY wounds the claws literally barring OF flesh
the bores. of the shoulder and thigh. Not sateG
with this work of instant. the bear continued OF
to pursue. with undated speed, the Hight of til,
TIVE hunssrs:-the chase was to them awfuy doubt