The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-07-13
BATTLE ON AN ICE CAP.
The Fight Began with the Shooting OF an
Elk, and Was Carried On Across
Crevasse-An Engineers Les
SON In Hunting.

my bear fight began with the shoot
ing Of nm elk" said Mason McIutosh, a
mining engineer. II was In the Col
-orado mountains In the Uncompahgre
region, investigating some mining
properties for New York syndicate,
when IL occurred. The leads were all
at high altitude, and in following up
some float ON mountain side one July
day left my two companions at the
timber line TO await my return and
kept on going upward until got
among the summit levels near the
edge OF the Ice cap. This is the snow
and ice which collect in winter upon
high mountain tops, and which, in
places sheltered from the sun, does not
disappear through the entire year.
Upon broad level SUBMITS, which in
some parts of the Rocky mountains
form lofty, irregular table lands, the
accumulated snow OF winter melts very
slowly through the warm season and,
alternately freezing and thawing,
forms glaciers often OF great extent
and depth. II was toward such table
land and glacier that ] was climbing.
"a half mile from the summit an elk
broke out OF little canyon ahead, and
stopped for a moment to survey me as
he crossed my path was carrying n
Maynard rifle, light mountain gun,
aud at once fred, wounding him In the
body Immediately he turned and
started at full speed up the face of the
mountain. / knew that the way to Sc
cure him was not to follow him up
closely, which would keep him on the
run as long as he had strength to go,
but to wait for him TO stop and lie
down, which, IL undisturbed, he pres
entity would do IL badly hurt. Then
the chances would be- that in n short
time could approach him near enough
70 give the finishing shot, II one were
necessary. But the elk did not stop
while within my view. he kept straight
on MP the mountain side and disap-
peared over the edge Of the summit.
"Thcn / started after him. The slope
was very steep, and In the rarihed air
of the high altitude climbing was slow
work. But what glorious scene 1t led
me toll When came up TO the edge of
the summit IL was TO look forth upon
rough and undulating Ice plain many
acres In extent, rejecting the suns
rays in tints of white and crystal. I'm
comnahgre lowered high above II, but
on every other hand the many SUBMITS
In view rose 10 heights inferior or only
equal to that of the glacier. Upon the
iceheld, Ave hundred yards from where
i was, the elk had laid himself down.
Against the smooth surface about him
he presented, with his branching
horns, striking picture, the only liv-
ing thing, except the eagles, in sight
His course on the ice was marked by
trail OF blood, and he evidently had
sunk Gown exhausted. not TO rise.
"As peered over the edge, debating
whether had better at once try TO ap.
proach him, another actor appeared on
the scene. From behind some snow
bound rocks off TO the right a huge
silver-tipped bear emerged suddenly
upon the icefield. lie walked out n
short distance upon the Ice, stopped,
E,olxed around and snufted tho air;
then started toward the elk. his long,
loose, shutting pace taking him along
much faster than would appear merely
from looking at his motion. The vino
was blowing in direction 10 carry his
scent from the elk, that did not seem
TO be aware of his coming until he was
close at hand. Then tho elk started TO
his feet TO face him. but fell upon his
knees. The bear went straight upon
him, pulled him down by the head and
broke his neck with one powerful
twist lie wasted no time In prelim-
inarics. but fell Mt once to tearing and
devouring the carcass.
s'By that time, rs the cllx's fate was
settled, and IL was now question OF
possession between the bear and me,
had decided TO take hand again Ina
the performances was then a novice
IN Rocky Mountain hunting. and l
thought az the moment only OF the
fine cnance had 10 bag big silver
tip. trusting TO my light Maynard rifle
with a tcnderfoot's confidence that
was not at all justified by It's caliber
and carrying qualities started with
no more ado across the Ice 70 interrupt
the bear at his dinner. was some
what apprehensive, not from sense OF
danOer-far from it--but for fear he
would run away before ! could get
within easy shot. 7 might have spared
myself any concern ON that account.
The bear was too busy at his repast
even Go look ut me until had got more
than half way TO him. lie looked up
from time 90 time as came nearer.
then fell TO tearing the elk again.
1T was not until ] was within n
hundred yards Of him that he seemed
20 take my coming seriously; then he
nfonnnd his rating 10 rroWl In a dccD