The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1894-08-01

armeu, Iert camp with the
Ga determined If possible, to
az his loss and enjoy the fun 70
Of ng agrizzly none of the seven,
bai Sam Fount and myself, hav-
Ing er had the chance of comingto
cid uarters with that formidable
be time I write of breechload-
ing ns had not come into general
us rt each oneof us carried a good
20 loading rifle, a heavy Colts
re- er and the indispensable hunt
in fe.
nee picking up the bears trail,
1ze lowed it easily so long as it
kei p q grass or soil covered for
=, but after that, when it en-
ter rocky, mountainous region,
we nothing to guide MS except
th asional displ of loose
stc N perhaps the frayed edge of
q ted Shrub no blood drops be-
IN visible.
old villain has made straight
for lair, likely IN some deep can
Observed Tount afterwe had
s6l-s tip and down the broken ranges
for over mile.
BY and by the trail came out upon
plateau of smooth, soilless rock,
and here we lost it. Our guide, how
ever, was an old bear hunter and
knew the country well.
Well separate soon, boys" he
said. A little way to the west of
this height there's two ugly, black
rayines. They lie end on to the pla-
teau and that numbering old thief
has gone into one of them, sure. Four
of you best take the one to the left,
and /, with two men, will hunt that
to the right.
But mind you've got no fool
black bear to deal with. These old
grizzlies are cunning as satan him
self. This ones whopper, and
he'll likely see or scent or hear you
before you catch a sight of him.
Maybe he'll run (they mostly do), and
then, again, maybe he won't. He's
chock full, blast him and's just as
apt to lie low till you run right on
him as to do anything else.
Now, boys, " impressively, 'tdon't
take any chances. Never turn big
rock nor go into patch of scrub
without having your eyes peeled and
your guns to the front, ready to fire,
and, abovea all, don wound the brute.
Shoot to kill-square for the brain.
He'd NOV down the whole lot of us
with half a dozen holes in his heart
before he'd keel over
IF you should be unlucly enough
to wound him at the first volley,
don't bulge an inch unless there's
safe rock handy, but draw your re-
yolvers and stand cool and steady till
he's within 10 feet Then drive every
shot into his head"
By the time Sam had finished this,
for him, long speech, we had crossed
the plateau and could see beyond its
western, steeply descending slope
the mouths of two wild looking can
yons, lying a half mile apart and sep
arated by a lofty ridge of rock.
Now, who's coming with me?"
asked Sam.
Charlie Grant, a young fellow of
10, and 1 ranged ourselves by his
side, and the two parties took diverg-
ing lines.
When we three came to the brow
of the descent, overlooking the rayine
to the north, we saw at once that we
had CHANGED upon the right one, for
among the dwarfed bushes growing
on the slope was a distinct trail
down which the bear had unmistaka-
bly, scrambled with his prey.
Better call the other fellows over,
Tount," I suggested in a whisper.
They'll want to see the fun"
They couldn't hear us even if it
would do to yell now, and shooting's
out of the question" he answered in
the same low tone. Let them go on.
Like as not they'll run on to another
grizzly. The brutes are noways scarce
around here, (which last observa-
ton greatly delighted Charlie, who
In his ignorance would have tackled
a grizzly bear or mountain lion sin
gle handed.
On clambering down to the ravine,
we found it to be a frightfully
gloomy place, encumbered by jagged
rocks and loose powders and every
where overgrown with aspen bushes,
thorns and briers, but along its bot
tom ran deeply indented, tortuous
path, evidently trodden out by the
constant passing and repassing of
wild beasts.
Restraining our impetuous young
friend by signs, we made our way
silently and with extreme caution
along this path, the guide, with his
rifle so held as to be instantly avail
able, taking the lead. We had gone,
however, scarce 800 yards, when he
suddenly stopped and with beckon-
ing motion of one hand called us up.
On coming alongside, we saw on
an open spot by little spring the
half consumed remains of the unfor-
t1nate colt. Obviously its epicurean
slayer had reserved his breakfast
until he could enjoy with X. a cool
ing drink In all my experience l
have never known, in any country,
a Drawer and more hardy man than
Sam Tount, but now, as he gazed
ruefully upon the mangled form at
his feet, two great tears rolled down
his cheeks. Then the fierce battle
light flashed once more in his eyes,
and he huskily whispered:
That cursed brute's eaten his fill