The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-02-21
OUR STORY TELLER.
In A BEARS DEN.

In A BEARS DEN.
During the spring of 1845 our party |
was encamped on the headspring 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 i write. A paradise for trappers |
IL 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 large and valuable collec-
tion. 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 a 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-
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 rIvulets were
lashing themselves into foaming furies
as they hastened down to join the swell
ing river.
Early one morning unslung my rife,
IL
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 flood 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 faint idea of
the wonderful beauty which held me
for a moment. had seen this view
many times before, and each time new
beauties were added, and with warm
spring sun rejecting from the frosty
tops II was indescribably beautiful.
Reaching a narrow defile that led to
section most frequented by large game,
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 / most ex
pected to find a 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 my
companions was by no means pleasan
idea. 1t did not take me long to decid,
TO push to the northeast, and risk tn,
possibility of nights detention in tn
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 abou
me, sense Of extreme fatigue pervade'
my frame.
l was completely at loss to explain
the total disappearance of all signs o
animal life, where before there ha
always been an abundance, and the onl
reasonable conclusion for me to forr
was that some wandering band of Nava
loes had preceded me.
1 had advanced but a couple of mile
further into this wilderness of mour
tains, when the oncoming darkness an
signs of an approaching storm bade m
seek some shelter for the night. Hal
way up the steep declivity l discovere
acluster of trees, which promised a pal
tial shelter and supply of brushwoo
for fire. A few moments brought m
to this haven. The trees were scrubby
and afforded little or no protection; but
thankful for the benefit of that smaI
iayor, went to work earnestly to rak
vogether dry sticks and leaves for fire
by which TO roast some Of the bear-stea
which had prepared Tor my lunch.
With some difficulty the wood Lighted
and, after sputtering for some time, burl
into q comfortable blaze. A couple {
spits were soon ready, and the meat, th
only article l possessed, was blisterin
away before the fire.
Stepping a few yards aside to a hea
OF dead brush, TO get fresh supply
fuel, to my great surprise and Joy / di
overed a large cavity in the rocks.
eagerly tore away the brush and vint
about the entrance, and made my wa
into the new quarters. 1t proved to
rough apartment, extending abo,
fifteen feet into the side of the noun
ain, and widened from the entrance
the back wall. 1t was comparative
dry, and very desirable shelter fro
the approaching storm. A large pile
brush was easily passed into the cavit
wnere speedily removed my supper.
When the feeble light Of the IRE ill
mined the dingy place was not 80 pa
ticularly at ease as my first impressIe,
led me to hope / would be. The ind
cations were quite too evident for me
be mistaken; | had usurped the abo,
OF grizzly bear. / was not then
fearful OF meeting this terrible monst
as j am now, and | was not at all
clined TO give it up to Bruin; it W
much more comfortable, compared
the open air, protected from the stor
wnich was now beating against Il
mountain side with increasing fury.
"AhP was my inward ejacuiatio
"this storm will certainly drive Brn
back TO his home and precipitate a met
ing with me-"
/ felt confident of meeting the bru
with an advantage to myself. With n
rife was sure shot; added to ii
were two strengthening navy revolve
and reliable hunting-kn knife. There W