Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-09


returned to camp. We saw several bands
Of antelope and a stray buffalo DUH or TWO
coming down into the valley for water,
but II was so late we didn't go after them
John and Ely came in soon after we did,
one with the skin Of a big wolf he mad
shot and the other packing the rat car
cass Of an antelope. the ribs OF which the
women lost no time in placing before the
fire To roast. They reported several bands
of buffalo and many antelope not far 10
the westward but as fuel was very scarce
here consisting of small, dead WILLOWS
and buffalo chips. we determined TO move
I'm TO the cottonwood and quaking asp
groves i'm the foothills before hunting
Guardipee proposed that we should go
to the foot Of the Hairy Cap, tall, pine
crowned butte a short distance east OF the
Little Rockies but 10 this Nlght-guh
strongly objected.
ct know the place WE'LL he SAID
when going 10 war I have climbed 10
the ton of II I'm order TO survey the sur
rounding country. The summit is covered
with warehouses, built by parties or
Sioux. Crows. Snakes, Cheyennes, and all
the other people who come TO make war
AGAINST the tribes of this country. We
would not be able to stay there even
few days before they would have our
horses and perhaps our Hdils
THAT being the case" said Ely, I'VE
will follow up this creelr until we strike
timber. and trust TO luck 10 nave our
hunt out in peace"
There were three fine beavers I'm our
traps the next morning. and fourth
trap had been sprung. Having no time TO
skin them then. we threw them into a
wagon. and by Q o'clock were again on
the road. Instead Of following up the
devious windings Of the valley, we pulled
out onto the high rolling prairie, ana
made a Decline for the timber at the foot
OF the mountains. which we could see
plainly by the aid of our glasses. As we
progressed the game became more and
more plentiful: bands of buffalo and ante
lone were continually in sight, Whlle
countless wolves and coyotes laZily trot-
ted out Of our road and sat down to
gaze at us as we went by. We arrived at
the timber belt early i'm the afternoon,
and camped in the edge of a cottonwood
grove near the creek. After luncheon we
all struck off up into the hills, each by
himself in search OF elk and deer. Not
far above camp the early SHOWS had got
the better Of the sun and covered the
ground TO a depth of 3 or 1 inches. As
soon as | reached this ! realized that the
clustering pines must shelter a vast
quantity Of game, for there were plain
trails Of elk and deer leading in every d.
rection I started 10 follow a broad elk
trail. which looked as If the animals had
but recently passed, when / noticed Few
yards beyond the remains Of an old, rot
ten log which had been torn to pieces
and scattered over the snow.
"Od long claws after an ant nest" 1
thought, and going over there 1 found his
cff 80 ri hQ
hill. The long claw-marks projecting
several inches beyond the impression OF
the toes showed that it was unmistably
a grizzly. Elk and deer were now not 10
be thought Of; / wanted the beaI. and
started off briskly on his trail through
the open timber, where | could see some
distance ahead, and going very cautious
ly whenever / came TO a patch or brush
or dense willows.
The old fellow was evidently hungry.
for he stopped to examine every old log
he came TO, and TO turn over every stone
and boulder he saw. Nor did he seem 10
care where he went, for sometimes he
would be travelling up the hill. some
times down, sometimes back toward the
east and again 20 the west. quite often
| startled a band Of elk or a bunch OF
deer. and I feared the noise they made as
lNey cIdSUtu away NhlOubu Aist NiitDfE
would frighten the bear. Bruin must be
used 10 that. however. for these timid
animals always flee at the mere sight or
scent OF him. Those that l scared must
evidently have come within the vicinity
since he passed by; so l reasoned that he
was probably a long way ahead OF me,
and increased my speed to a run when
ever it was possible.
At last / approached the edge Of little
park. as we call a patch OF open ground
in the timber, and there 1 saw my bear
busily digging up the soil. l was quite out
OF breath. and had 10 wait some little
time In order to make a sure shot. The
old fellow was not more than sixty yards
from me. and he looked very formidable
as he tore out great patches OF sod at a
single swipe OF his paw. | carefully noted
"A nearby tree. which | saw could be
easily climbed In case of necessity. and
having recovered my wind, sighted the
little Winchester at a point just behind
the shoulder and well down. and pulled
the trigger. When the bullet struck him
he gave squeal Of pain and rage, rolled