The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-03-02
OUR STORY TELLER.
IN A BEARS DEN.

During the spring of 1916 our party
was encamped on the handspring of San
Juan, a region as desolate in its waste
of rocky hills and mountains as it was
fruitful in furs-the object of our expe-
dition-and the more dangerous savages,
who held full sway at the early time of
which l write. A paradise for trappers
it was beyond doubt. There were four
of us from the settlements of the Colo
RADIO, bold, strong, athletic, not one be-
low six feet, full formed and muscular.
A rude hut of logs was used as our head
quarters and depository for the furs,
which, from our success and industry,
had become a large and valuable collec-
ton. Within the hut were the rude
accommodations which our isolation
from settlements made scarce from ne
cessity. Blankets swung from each of
the four corners served for beds, while
in the center of the room was roughly
constructed hearth. About this hearth
and against the walls were piled and
hung the fruits of our winters labor.
There Is much of real pleasure in the
wild, rollicking style of life that fasci-
mates the trapper, and the sufferings and
privations which he endures only lend a
charm to the rowing nature. The sea-
son was drawing to its close; the snow
was beginning to disappear in the val
leys, and multitudes of r1vulets were
lashing themselves into foaming furies
as they fastened down to join the swell
ing river.
Early one morning / unslung my rifle,
prepared a small luncheon, and started
for the mountainous region to the north
ward OF the camp in quest of game to
supply the larder. Hoping to cross the
valley before the warmth of the rising
sun should convert it into an impassa-
Bile slough, ] fastened forward to reach
the higher mountains. | reached them
Just as the sun began to food the val
ley with all of its golden warmth and
beauty. Pausing on a lofty crest,
viewed one of the grandest scenes that
inimitable nature has placed before my
wondering eyes.
To the south lay the valley, stretching
in its serpentine course until it disap-
peared in some low-lying hills; to the
north mere the mountains, piled one
above another, till the snOw-capped
tips lost themselves within approaching
clouds. This is only a faint idea Of
the wonderful beauty which held me
for moment. l had seen this view
many times before, and each time new
beauties were added, and with a warm
spring sun rejecting from the frosty
tops it was indescribably beautiful.
Reaching narrow defile that led to
section most frequented by large game,
l pushed rapidly onward The sun
mounted higher in the heavens, and the
beautiful frost-work, so lovely when the
first rays of sunlight made it look like
glittering diamonds, began to melt into
tiny streamle.s.
By noon the place where i most ex
pected to find plenteous supply
of game was reached, but, to my sur
prise, there was not the least visible sigr
OF any. The most careful SURVEYS dis
closed nothing but tracks several day.
old. To return empty-handed to nv
companions was by no means pleasant
idea. 1t did not take me long to decide
to push to the northeast, and risk the
possibility of nights detention in the
mountains. Mile after mile / climbed
over the rough, precipitous route. How
far had wandered from the camp wa,
not easy to determine, but as the after
noon was drawing to close, and the SUI
disappeared behind the lofty peaks about
me, sense of extreme fatigue peryaded
my frame.
L was completely at loss to explain
the total disappearance of all signs OF
animal life, where before there had
always been an abundance, and the only
reasonable conclusion for me to form
was that some wandering band of Nava
joes had preceded me.
had advanced but couple of mile.
further into this wilderness of moun.
tains, when the oncoming darkness and
signs of an approaching storm babe me
seek some shelter for the night. Hall
way. up the steep declivity discovered
cluster of trees, which promised a mar.
tiai shelter and supply of brushwood
ior hre. A few moments brought me
10 TINS haven: The trees were scrubbv
and afforded little or no protection but
thankful Tor the benefit of that small
favor, l went to work earnestly to rake
together dry sticks and leaves for a fire.
by which to roast some of the bear-steak
which had prepared for my lunch.
With some difficulty the wood lighted
and, after suffering for some time, burst
into comfortable blaze A couple of
spits were soon ready, and the meat, the
only article | possessed, was blisterjnp
away before the fire.
Stepping few yards aside to a bean
OF dead brush, to get a fresh supply Of
fuel, to my great surprise and ioy dis
covered large cavity in the rocks. I
eagerly tore away the brush and vines
about the entrance, and made nv way
INTO the new quarters. 1t proved to he
rough apartment, extending about
hfteen feet into the side of the mount.
ain, and widened from the entrance to
the back wall. 1t was comparativelv
dry, and very desirable shelter from
the approaching storm. A large pile of
brush was easily passed into the cavity
where l speedily removed my supper.
When the feeble light of the fire illu-
mined the dingy place was not SO par
PECULIARLY at ease as my first impressions
led me to hope | would be. The indi-
cations were quite too evident for me to
be mistaken; / had usurped the abode
OF q grizzly bear. i was not then so