The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-12-19
IN THE GRASP OF ABEAR.
4 Hunter, Carried over "A 2,OOO-FOO-
Precipice, Escapes with His Life.

hunting party has returned from the
Sierra Nevada mountains and thrilling
story is re-ated by the Phoenix (AriZ.)
Times of their experience there. The
party consisted OF five old hunters and
they took Indians along with them for the
purpose OF performing the hard labor. For
the first few days out very little game was
found, but they finally camped in what Is
known as Clear Creek canon. II + little
more than hole in the mountains. whence
a small stream flows, and is away from
the usual hunting grounds. The walls Of
the canon are very abrupt, the mountains
coming up near-y to the banks Of the
creek. and then cut or by a sheer preci-
pice over two thousand feet In hight. After
exploring the country at the base Of the
HIS and finding no game three Of the
party concluded TO try one Of the noun
tains. their companions continuing their
hunt IN the canon below.
Those who climbed the mountain found
nothing worth eNpending their powdei
upon for several hours, and dnally selected
a large, fat rock, near the edge Of he
precipice, and began 10 eat their lunch.
While thus engaged they heard the Pc
culiar grunt Of 3 grizzly bear IN the thickei
near by, and knew that they had a fight
on their hands. and probably a desperate
one. There was but little food on the
mountain top, and the bear was undOubt-
edly hungry. In this condition they were
well aware that he would attack them
WITHOUT 4 moment ueSlIdLlDl- Inc EdNOTN
odor of the food cooking at the camp fire
had attracted him, and he was determined
to have il at any cost.
They did not have long 20 wait before
the shaggy animal appeared through an
opening but a few yards from them. All
three fired at him, but only succeeded in
engaging the brute, which sprang upon
them with a ferOcity which completely par
alyzed them for the moment. Two sue
ceeded in taking refuge behind large trees.
but the other was Immediately in front OF
the animal, and IL was impossible for him
to get out Of the way. Had the bear
struck him he would have been instantly
killed, but he came down with such
rush that he only knocked the hunter down
and passed very nearly over and beyond
him. The man seized the bear by the
throat with both hands and the unequal
struggle for life commenced. The preci-
ptce was but a few feet away and in their
struggles nearer and nearer they went 10
Il, neither having inflicted any serious in
jury upon the other, until finally the bear
lost his foothold and fell, dragging the
hunter after him.
1t was 1000 feet TO the bottom Of the
canon and the other hunters naturally sup
posed that their companion had been
dashed to pieces on the rocks below. but to
their surprise and joy, heard a cry for
hep. Fastening 10 the edge Of the rocks,
hey saw man ciinging for life on a fir
tree that grew out Of a niche in the rocks
He had fallen into the tree and had sue
ceeded in obtaining a lodgment there. the
bear having gone crashing 20 the bottom.
Il was a question as 20 how TO get him
out. but he was alive, which was a mat
ter of great congratulation. They ha6
brought no ropes with them, but one was
imprOvised from a wild grapevine, and
within half an hour he man was with his
comrades again. somewhat bruised from
his frigatful experience. but no bones
broken.