The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-11-18
ATTACKED BY A BEAR.
After Many Injuries Mr.. Best Saves His
Life by Feigning Death.

AFTER Nlany injuries VT. besG saves his
Life by Feigning Death.
Mr.. Best, of Durango, came very near
losing his life by being devoured by q
ferocious bear, and his escape is probably
the most miraculous in the history of the
state
Mr.. Best was up Lightner creek looking
for horses, and was coming down the side
of a steep canyon about ten miles from
town, and as he drew near portion of the
trail where the brush and underground
was very thick he heard a cracking and
smashing of the scrub oak on one side.
Suddenly low growl met his ear, and
without further warning the brush parted
and Mr. Best was confronted by large,
ugly looking silver tip or range bear, that
stood hardly two feet away. For mo-
ment Bruin stood as if considering what
tactics to pursue. Then. raising herself
upon her hind feet and waving her paws
in the air, she rushed for Mr.. Best, who,
totally unarmed, knew not how to escape
the infuriated animal.
As she approached closer and closer un-
til he could feel her hot breath against his
face he managed to catch her by the feet,
and being possessed on ordinary occasions
of enormous strength, which now in this
exciting moment became superhuman, he
held her feet in such a manner that she
was unable, although trying her best, to
strike or tear him with her claws.
For moment both paused for wind, and
Mr.. Best was looking for some way to let
90, but no way was found. The bear find
ing herself powerless to crush her victim,
and as he held her feet so widely apart that
she could do nothing with them, saw her
way clear to end Mr.. Best's career by eat
ing his head and face, which, as both his
hands were employed in holding her feet,
she could do, and he could not prevent it
unless he should turn her feet loose, and
then she would have more advantage than
before.
. Slowly she leaned her ugly face toward
him and then opened her enormous mouth
and took Mr.. Best's head inside and leis-
urely began to crush in his face and head
with her teeth. Mr.. Best was of course
unable TO stop her, and was compelled to
let her pursue her man eating course.
Finally, overcome with pain and loss of
blood, Mr.. Best fell backward, the bear
falling on top, and being now so weak that
he could offer no further resistance Bruin,
finding herself free, proceeded to tear and
lacerate Mr.. Best's face and scalp.
While she was inflicting her punishment
upon him she heard, as we'll as did her vic
tim, who had not yet lost consciousness, a
lot of noise from the brush, accompanied
by few sharp growls, which evidently
came from her cubs. Leaving Mr.. Best
she started to investigate the trouble there
and disappeared.
Mr.. Best, half unconscious and blinded
by the blood that was flowing from the
many wounds that had been inflicted on
his face and head, was unable to rise, but
turned over on his face and tried to think
what to do. Just as he had determined to
try and find his way to some ranch or
camp he heard the bushes crash and knew
that the bear was returning
Having heard that they will not bite or
touch anything they think dead, he re-
solved to find out, and as the bear ap-
preached again he kept perfectly still
Bruin came up and waited for him to
Jump or move, and, seeing that he did not,
she bit him on the arm, and then, finding
he did not move, she nosed him little,
and after few farewell bites grunted to
her cubs and plunged into the bush.
Mr.. Best succeeded in dragging himself
to tie ranch five miles distant. and medi-
cal assistance was summoned. Denver
Republican.