The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1878-08-03
TRAPpING A GRIZZLY.


TRAPPING A GRIZZLY.
rFf.nk Lsslis's Popular Monthly.l
The shades Of evening were gathering
fast, and already the ravine below was en-
wrapped in . gloom through which objects
were scarcely discernible. a. rode alonga
narrow path that swept around one of the
many spurs Of the Nevada Mountains.
I had been over to neighboring ranch
20 look after some cattle, and, happening
to flnd jovial set of fellows copyrighted
there, bad staid longer than intended, or,
IN fact, was prudent; for, at the time of
which write, the country was newer than
it b now, and, aside from all other dangers,
the Indians were unusually bad that sum-
mer, and had already committed many
depredations.
The niseal had, rs q matter of course,
circulated freely, and, as rode home with
my favorlte hQrse beneath me-a thorough
bred of great strength and endurance, to-
gether with an almost humau.like intelli-
genceI felt that lightness of spirit and
freedom from all worldly cares that is said
to always accompany the peculiar condi-
tiou superinduced by q free use o. the
ardent.
Do not understand that I was intoxicat-
ed, in the common acceptatiOn of the term.
Enthused, perhaps. were the better word:
but, be that Is it may, was in an exceed
GDgly good-hu nor with myself and all the
world.
So, a my horse SLOWLY picked his way
along the narrow and rocky defile, gave
vent to my feelings in q well-remembered
cong. which learned years ago whe 1
frolicked - boy over the meadows of the
old homestead in far away Kentucky.
was thinking, as sang it, If remem-
Der rightly, of the people and pieces Of
those other years when frst learned that
melody, and Was lost to all immediate sur
roundings.
I was wakened once or twice from these
pleasant revefies by some unusual action of
my horse, who seemed to evince = good
deal Of uneasiness by low whinny now
and then, or csc by tossing his head i'm
patiently, a. he turned to sniff the breeze
that came from directly behind me as /
thus rode.
glanced quickly around and behind me;
but observing no indications of danger,
and the profound silence remaining I'M
broken, sgain resumed my song, and
rode on in careless indifference.
But l was doomed to q sudden and start
ling interruption in my musical efforts. A
deep, savage growl, that made my horse
spring convulsively forward, sounded d.
roctly in my ear, and, looking back in
hasty alarm, ] beheld huge grizzly bear,
with mouth wide open, and eyes glaring
with hungry fury, charging down the mar
row path ct full speed.
Although well armed with both rife and
revolvefs, knsw that there was no lime
to show tight; and %, digging the sharp
rowels Of my Mexican spurs deep into my
horses flank, l fed at breakneck pace
down the size Of the mountain.
It 10 well known that the grizzly bear
can make poor headwsy up hill; but give
him downward road, let the decline he
ever % slight. and he will put the fleetest
horse to his mettle.
Well mounted - I was, and trusting fully
to the excellent qualities of the horse I
bestrode, yet the conviction fixed itself
upon my mind that . single misstep or the
sliehtest stumble would bring the fierce
brute upon me. and then I knew the tale
would sosn be told; for It was rare indeed
that even the most experienced hunters
ever escaped with life from hand to- hand
conflict with the animal that was anting
In NV rear.
Ny horse seemed to be actu tied with the
sams desire with which 1 myself was pos
sessed-namely, to put Is much space be-
tween his pursuer and himself rs possible;
and %, with cutstretched neck and ears
laid hex. he tore over the now dangerous.
II declinine path with a speed that was
frnlv von6eyfuI. considerine tbe difficnlties
Of H. road.
sun In nv rear pressed the fearful brute.
snme4,mea Gaining al;phtlv. and anon "A
fhe nm erew level. falling behind: upon
which occasions he would give vent to a
ner If Observation-Disclosures that :eemed 10
sh.ia The M rncka sro,,nd
ma chase had in reality occupied less
time nm I have taken TO tell il: but. never.
theless. Il seemed an age to ME. and I be.
IN 10 feei 4 Iittle yexed NJ the pertinacitv
Win which Bruin hung upon INV trail.
I deferminefi to baxsrd : shot. honinp bv
aon,e fortnn.fe Chance To dlisshle. or. ner.
IN. m deter him from further nursnit.
Reaehine TO the holsters for one of INV
revolvera I tightly crasped the reins a.
short hold. M. turnine slirhtly In the
s.ddle took nnick Aim. and fired. A roar
AZ min folioced the er.ck of the nistol.
snd. m the ssme instsnt. I felt INV horne
nitcheil forward on his knees. and then.
sfru.riinr feroelv for q moment. turn upon
In si3e. and With raised hea,l and eye-hslls
atsrtine from their socketa. eIance hack.
v.rd ID over his shoulder. Az the Ant
sud i rsnaiped 1 Standing NJ, astride his BODY,