Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-12-18

multaneouBly. Ihe wounded Rud Gu
ragged brute growlsd savagely, and made
one more effort to surmount the ledge
His bearded muzz'e was raised above the
shadows, into the bright light of the
moon, showing the gaping jaws, the gilt
teriug white teeth and protruding tongue,
with horrible distinctness. II was briei
but desperate struggle. he gathered al
his tagging strength and energy in thi'
final effort, but lost his grip on the slip
perry rock, swayed backward on his
launches O moment, aud, before any o
US had time to put another bullet into his
bo3y, toppled over, and went rolling
bounding, thumping down the precipitou'
face OF the mountain. --
| This was altogether the most interest
ing part of the affair, which otherwise
was quits tame aud commonplace. W.
hastened to the outer edge Of the shelving
rock. and lying fat on our faces, watched
the flying descent of the shaggy monster
as now aud then his dark form bounded
clear into the brightmoonlight, and in q
twinkling hid itself again within the
shadow ofthe cliff. ssa. nj .ss. is...r,
The bear was undoubtedly dead-killec
by the fall, If not indeed By our bullets
but next occurred to our minds the ques
ton of possession. There was no meani
of solving this, as we all readily under
stood, except by q descent of the cliff,
by way OF the main trail, TO point on
the stream below the Cascade. For the
grizzly had undoubtedly gone clear down
to the bed of the creek, If indeed he had
not rolled iuto the torrent itself.
We were not long in retracing our steps
to the camp FIRE, where we prepared sew.
eral good pine torches, lighted one o.
them, and set forth on the descent. Its
sufficient in this connection to add that
we reached the bottom of the canyon in
safety, yet with not little labor, where
we found the limp and lifeless body oi
bruin, not in the water, indeed, but within
"a half dozen feet of the bank Of
the stream, and as many yards distant
from the foot OF the cliff.
T We dressed him ON the spot, ard re-
'duced the carcass to pieces of convenient
eliza to he easily borne into camp Aud
although the choicest parts only of the
flesh were reserved for our use, this trans
fer re quired several trips to aud fro, and
consul q ed q great deal of time. Indeed,
il was leng after sunrise, and not until We
had broiled and eaten heartily of the
teuderest Of the steaks, that the last
Journey was made to the spot All thai
portion of the hesh which we lett behind
meat which would have honored the
most sumptuous board-was generously
bequeathed to the wolves and other hum
CRY denizens of the canyon, 5ai n
| Alter this, reclining in luxurious indo'
leucs on the soft carpet OF bruins shaggy
hide, we rested long before glowing fire
of dry pine-knots, in the uninterrupted
enjoyment of ease and sweet content
Those few hours of quiet repose were
ample recompense for the interruption oi
sleep and the arduous labor of the past
night. rrrrrr VTvsT fTU WTTu
"And now look sharp for q regular
nor wester, and a mighty drift of snow
along with H." exclaimed Lambert
lolling back, and surveying the heavens
over and beyond the distant range o.
mountaius. - a
We were still discussing, in lazy sorI
of way, the great event of the morning
and il was in this connection the remars
was made by the Nimrod of our company
Dillon and myself wsited moment IN
silence, and With attentive ear, in ex
pectation of q word Of explanation, bu
we waited 10 vain--it did not come.
"Well, since you express the opinion
wiih> such unqualified assurance, said
Dillon, at length, perhaps you can give
some good reason for so important an an
nouncement."
+ [" None better than the movement o
this grizz,y," replied LsmberL as h'
stroksd down the long fur on the bear
skin. "Whenever you discover ther
fellows making straight tracks tor thu
high cliffs and mountain sides at this sea
son Of the year, then prepare at once tol
a stiff storm aud heavy fall OF snow
Instinct warns them ofits approach, ant
they abandon the low valleys TO escape
the deep drifts" i1a Lsdi d3iaF
81 knew that, certainly" ," said Charley
"st least | have heard the ssHe re
marked often enough, but did not thinl
ef Il in this case" .t.
H. |" You see those dsrEi ieeden clouul
over in the nortbwess,' continued Lam
bert. They'll ny snow here before
night Aud / warn you, boys, we'll have
10 fud shelter before that comes on, OF
perish altogether"
The subject was indeed assuming
seriops aspect. We did not fail to give
it full Weigh and imporisnee. Arrange
ments we're Immediately made for re
moval from that place. All our effects
we're carefully packed aud placed II
readiness for slmos, instant departure tc
the valley However, in compliance
with our promise to Dick Armstrong, We
tsrried at the Cascade until noon, though
with little expectation of his return By
that time.
At twelve o'clock, then, so rapidly had
the indications of an approaching storm
multiplied, We hastily packed our horses,
and without waiting to prepare and cal
dinner, set forth in quest OF place oi
greater security against the tempest.
We eeald aots E;5,s==Armstrougs extrs
accouirenents, with the flesh and hide oi
the grizzly, added 10 the weight Of ouI
oan personal effects, formed burden
for our horses sufficiently hesvy, csnsid-
] arswo q fha nafnra ~ tha toad