The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1894-06-23
A BEAR HUNT.

oue eFeHluS among the FOOTHILLS o
the southeastern slope of Book mou1
tain.
AS no Indians had troubled us no
sign" been seen for the precedin
six days, we somewhat relaxed on
accustomed vigilance on this coca
sion. The 10 wagons were corralle'
as usual, but instead of being confine,
within the inclosure after nightfa]
u horses and mules were merel,
hobbled and allowed to Craze at vii
on the rich buffalo grass of a littl
valley lying between two adjacen
hills.
Among the stock was a valuabl
thoroughbred mare, belonging t.
Sam Tount, our guide. During tn,
journey this animal had brough
forth o foal, a lovely little thing, nov
2 weeks old, the especial pride of it
owner and the pet of the whole par
ty. AS the youngsters sire was
famous Kentucky racer, Sam Sc
great store by it and would not hav,
parted with it for it's weight in
well, perhaps not gold, but certainly
in silver.
The colt OF course was not shacklef
In any way, and when last seen was
playfully gamboling about it's moth
er as she fed.
In order to reach this particular
camping place we had that day made
an exceptionally long march, and ev
cry man OF us was unusually tired,
SO, believing that no danger of any
kind threatened, we did not post sen.
tries at all, but retired early to our
wagon beds for good sleep.
The night passed quietly, and moth.
ing occurred to disturb our slumbers
until just at daybreak in the morn,
ing. Then all We're suddenly awak-
ened by a confused, thunderous
trampling, blended with the noise of
clashing metal.
INDIANS, Indians" some one shout
ed, as, grasping I'll ready weapons,
we tumbled out to the ground.
Indians nothing!" said the guide.
IF twas, you'd never've had a chance
to say so. The reds don't centrally
wake folks up that way. Why, thun-
der alive, boys, it's a stampede of the
cattle! See them comet"
Sure enough. In the gray light of
the dawn we now saw, only a few
yards from the corral, the whole
drove of horses and mules gathering
painfully along, apparently in fran
tic efforts to escape some impending
peril. A perfect picture of terrified
rage, Tount's mare led the van, but
the precious colt was nowhere to be
seen.
Here, Flora, here! What's the
matter, old girl?" so%othingly called
Sam, stepping out of the Enclosure.
In response to the well known
voice, the beautiful creature limped
up to her masters side, and distress
fully whinnying rubbed her nose
against his cheek, while her great.
frightened eyes seemed, plainly as ar
tlculate speech, to appeal for help.
Boys" excitedly shouted Sam,
something's happened to the colt.
Come along, half a dozen of YOU,
quick! The others must stick to the
corral, for it's just possible the cattle
may have scented Indians"
l and five others, who happened to
be fully dressed, instantly started off
with our leader, hoping to find that
the foal had merely been left behind
the herd, scared perhaps by q
prowling wolf Or two. The little
dell where the stock had been feed
Ing was about 400 yards from camp.
On arriving there, we could at first
see no signs of the colt, but present
~, as the light broadened into day,
Iount, who was securing the outer
edge of the valley, uttered a startled
cry.
Hurrying up to him, we saw a
small pool of blood on a spot of grass
less ground, in the shade of a great
bowlder, and right in the middle of
the patch so moistened the enormous
footprints of a bear!
my little beauty's gone, BOYS
killed and carried off by a grizzly"
noaned Sam. ''See where the brute's
ragged it away to the hills"
There could be no doubt of the fact.
e broad trail of crushed grass,
decked by occasional spots of blood,
directly toward the mountain,
though in some places the powerful
monster had evidently borne his prey
clear OF the ground altogether.
Sam was furious. Boys, We'll kill
that old devil if we have to stay here
week." he savagely said, "but 1
guess we can do it this afternoon.
GU can see by the looks of the blood
That he's not been gone long. What
10 you say, shall we go on now or re-
urn to camp and get breakfast first?"
BEST take a square meal to begin
on, Sam. The job may take longer
than you think. Besides the other
Fellows will want to know what's up,
replied one of our men.
That's So" assented Tount, and
we went back to the corral.
After a hasty breakfast the same
nix of us, all young men under 81 and
armed, left camp with the
GUIDE, determined, if possible, to
svenge his loss and enjoy the fun (0
killing a grizzly, none of the seven.
Sam TO11nt and n,rooIe -.