Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-05-17

4 Newspaper Mans First and Only
Meeting with Bruin.
Sport which Proved Altogether Too IL.
citing and Came Near Fading IN .
First-Cl Funeral-An In
dian's Timely Shot.

OtNns ItmOAy OnOss
was located some few years since on
the banks Of a small creek high up in
the Sierras, in Nevada County, Cal,
writes New York Herald correspond
emit. I was spending a summers vaoa-
ton in hunting and fishing and other
wise enjoying the pure mountain air Of
that region.
had caught many fine specimens Of
brook and lake trout and had shot more
or less small game and an occasional
buck. had heard that bears abounded
in the vicinity, but had not thus far seen
any, although had often encountered
their tracks.
had about given up the idea of this
exciting sport when as ! came out of my
tent ono morning ! saw. to my surprise,
an Indian wigwam pitched less than
one hundred feet distant. Standing at
the door Of the wlgwam was an Indian,
leaning on his rife, while q number of
squaws and children were variously
scattered about, apparently gathering
fuel with which to build the breakfast
FIRE.
Finding that the Indians were friend
ly disposed and that the head Of the
family, whose name l ascertained to be
Joe, could speak good English, / struck
up an acquaintance then and there.
Strange to say, Joe had moved up
from his winter quarters in the valley
for the purpose Of hunting in the mount
aims, and soon learned that Joe was q
mighty bear hunter in those parts.
It is not to be wondered at then that
we, Joe and I, arranged q grand bear
hunt for the following morning. Joe
had . couple Of mal9y=loolsing ours
that he said were good bear dogs, which
statement took for granted, although
had my doubts in the matter.
As We started out bright and early the
next morning noticed that Joe's family
were trailing behind at o respectful dis
tAQce, and l wondered II they also were
to Join In the hunt. afterward learned
that they were not only useful but .
necessary part of the expedition.
After skirting along the brow OF
range of hills for some time Joe or
dered halt. The women and children
went on ahead, Whale Joe and l de-
scended to the bottom Of deep canyon.
&c.," said my companion; "bear! big
bear" ] looked about me, somewhat
alarmed, III admit, but when saw Joe
pointing to some bear tracks felt re-
assured, and VIC then resumed our
course along the base Of the hill.
We had gone on in this manner for
perhaps half an hour when l heard a
succession of screams and yells coming
from the top Of the hill, some distance
off. Before l had time to see what it
meant a number of large rocks and
h0xv1dnro oh
vine a short distance ahead. then
picious manner. The bristles on the
ours neck began to stand out straight
as it suddenly stopped in front Of a dense
mass OF chapparal and growled in q
threatening manner.
"Get gun, quick" said Joe, placing
his own weapon to his shoulder. Mean
came laundering down the canyon as
before. These were enough to scare
any sort Of bear out Of his hiding place,
I thought, as i realized the cause Of all
the rumpus.
"All right, Joe," said I, "just let the
bear show himself; I'll be ready for
OIL Lordl Here Joe, help!" 1 yelled. I
was unable TO move hand or foot and sud
denly dropped my gun in absolute ter
ror.
At last had seen . bear, and . big
one at that. scarcely ten feet Oh. growi-
ing and swapping at the dogs, and, as
near as could determine, coming
straight for me, open mouthed.
What y monster 1t wasl I could see
its huge claws IS 1t struck at the dogs.
1t wAs . very picture OF savage power
and ferooity.
Again 1 yelled to Joe for help, and
then, - the bear had almost reached
me, managed to run q few steps and
foil sprawling on the ground. Visions
Of being ohewed and clawed into minoe-
meat arose before me, and could al
most feel the bruts's hot breath whom
two shots rang out upon the air.
The next thing remember was Joe
asking mo 10 take q drink from flask
he was holding to my mouth. I took
long. deep pull and then looked around
for the bear. There 1t was, lying dead
on the ground almost within reach. The
dead and mutilated carcass of Joe's best
dog WAS lying close beside him.
"Ios." said I. II don't believe want
any moro bear hunting in mine"
"Ugh." replied Joe with his usual
gfunt. big bear kill dog. kill you. too,
s'pose not Are quick" I shuddered at
the thought Of this last proposition.
have never hunted for bears since, nor
have had any desire to.
brought the skin of that bear back
With me to San Francisco though, where
1t lay for q long time in my room as q
testimonial (so my friends thought) Of
my prowess as . mighty bear hunter.
The Charm OF Good Manners.
No one who has any appreciation Of