The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-06-20
distance" I said. with a laugh.

You are a ss0rendrO,-nOt bear hunt
er," was the response.
1 was about to explain that I preferred
the former profession to the latter, when
! the head Of the cavalcaGe halted, and from
the woods rode q dark skinned Indian,
mounted on one Of the horses belonging to
the Mission.
The native informed our party that on a
plain, just back Of the Mission, he had
seen two large grisly bears, not more than
an hour previous, feeding ON the body Of a
bullock which they had killed at early
dawn; and the fellow offered to lead the
way, and show US where the game was to
be found, at the same time assuring us
that the priests Of the Mission had cursed
the bears with book and bell, and would
bless the parties who exterminated the
beasts. as they had made sad havoc with
the cattle Of the holy fathers.
Don AlvernadO, who appeared to be the
leader OF the party. issued his orders, d.
viding his men into three squads, each
taking a different direction, so that the
bears could be cut off in their retreat, In
case they were disposed to leave the plain
and take to the woods and mountains,
where 1t would be impossible to use the
horses and lassOs. / followed the cap
tain. as considered it my duty to look
after him, and see that he did not rush in
to unnecessary danger; or. In other words,
dash forward, and attack the bear SINGLE
handed. l don't suppose that he ever
knew the interest that took in his well
fare on that occasion, 50 now make It
known for the first time; and, as he is still
alive, it Is very probable that he will come
in and thank me, il this article ever meets
! his eye.
A few minutes, aud We had gained the
plains, and then saw that the bears-two
large fellows, a male and female,-hav-
ing satisfied their appetites, were taking a
| breathing spell near the base Of a hill
studded with woods. The animals looked
| at us In an indOlent manner, and would
have trOtted of as fast as possible; but
just as they made up their minds to do SO,
some Of our hOrsemen headed them of,
and drove them growing and granting to-
| ward us.
-OsO! ESQ.," shouted the Mexicans.
They put spurs to their horses, whiri-
ing their stout riatas as they galloped over
the plain, the rdncherO leading the crowd,
and yelling like fiend.
did not think that was called upon to
imperil my life by keeping company with
such people, so stopped my horse, and
looked on, ready to turn and run as soon
as danger was near enough to warrant
such course. Even Captain Peterson
did not think 1t necessary to take the lead
In this exciting sport, for he checked his
horse, and looked on, like myself
The bears now found themselves encir-
cled, and waited for an attack. The
horses were little shy In approaching the
formidable beasts, and did not wonder
at it, as one blow Of their powerful claws
would have left marks never to be erased.
even II it did not Instantly kill.
The hOrsemen rode around the hears.
yelling and chattering like so many luna,
tics-all for the burmese OF confusing the
brutes, and enabling the hunters to get a
good cast OF their IassOs. Suddenly the
rdncherO dashed ont Of the circle rode
straight for the bears, whlrled his RATA
over his head and LET fly- II cauobt ono
OF the prislies by the fore navy and before
the angry brute could understand the mat.
ter, the ranckero had turned the head OF
his horse, and drawn the RATA as tight as
a bar Of iron. But the bear was NOT dis
posed to submit to such treatment I'm
silence. With an angry roar. be rushed
toward the Mexican who was torturinp
him; but the fellow avoided the contact by
making the horse retain the distance be-
tween them: and then half n dozen other
riatas flew through the air, and bruin WAS
entangled by the neck. naws and legs
and stretched out on the ground like a
spread eagle, each horse pulling i'm a Diff
ferent direction.
The female grisIy had, I'm the meantime.
separated from her mate. and edged away
from the crowd, as il determined to look
after her own welfare. / had become so
Interested in the struggle that / had not
noticed the act, and Il was not until Cap
tain PetersOn's voice reused me that saw
the danger.
Look out for yourself, Toni" he
roared.
And then / saw that the grisly was
within five fathoms Of me, and coming on
like a whirlwind.
Cut and run for 1t, Toni" the old man
continued
/ saw half dozen horsemen following
in the wake Of the bear, and swinging
their lassos. 1 did not wait for further
orders. Selling the bag containing the
luncheon, launched 1t Mt the head Of the
advancing bear. then turned my horse,
and fed toward Monterey as though all
the wild animals In the country were ut
my heels, and my gallant steed did not
slacken his pace Il did not try very hard
to check HIM until i'm front Of Mr. I.arkins
store; and as that gentleman came in sight
IL me, he came out and asked what luck
the Mexicans had in their hunt.
i expect that am the only one left to
tell the story" replied. Il did ali that a
boy could do, and then made nv escape.
Single handed and alone I :"
DO you think that YOU are talking to n
mariner demanded Mr.. Larkin. Il don't
believe that YOU have been near danger.
Get OF your horse, and go into the kitchen,