Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-08-21
Battle With a Grizzly.

Victor Smith, Montana's noted scout
hunter and Indian fighter, says thu
safest way to shoot silver tip or griz
ely bear is from the limb Of tree. H.
knows whereof he speaks, for he hal
hunted buffalo, bear and the other big
game of the west for many years.
The reason for Mr.. Smiths state
ment about bears was brought out be
cause of q recent encounter with sill
yer tip. In relating the story he said:
Il went out on a hunting trip recent
ly. My purpose for making trip into
the mountains was to bring down big
bear which had been killing off the cat
tie at the Walker ranch in the Big
Hole country A good reward had been
offered for the brute's death, and l con.
cluded to try my luck. On the LIST of
the month | camped on Fish Trap
creek, about thirty-fve miles south
from Anaconda, on the Big Hole river.
On that day it occurred to me to go
after game, and l climbed to Goats
peak, some distance above timber line.
THAT particular locality is not at all
an inviting place, but it is infrequently
visited by man, and consequently the
wild game abounds there. The point
visited by me is the summit of the
Rockies and affords considerable sport
for the hunter. l managed to kill three
mountain goats and two deer and re-
turned to camp well pleased with my
trip into the peaks. On the following
morning took saddle and pack animals
and started again to the mountains.
to bring my game to camp.
/ had reached high altitude and was
walking leisurely along, leading my
saddle horse. with the pack animal fol-
lowing, when l noticed exceptionally
large bear tracks ON the ground ahead.
Securing my rifle from the pack saddle,
l continued on my way. Shortly our
path led over the top of a rugged peak
The path was about four feet wide and
to wind around the noun
tain top. On my left were innumerable
natural caves here and there in the
wall.
When | had proceeded some fifty
feet along this treacherous pathway,
my saddle horse snorted and pulled
hard on the rein fastened over my
shoulder. l quickly turned my head
and saw standing erect on his launch
Is, with outstretched paws. big sill.
yer tip bear. The animal was in the
act Of striking the horse. jumped, as
lid the saddle horse, while my pack
animal turned and ran back. Bruins
paw struck the saddle, and as the
horse WINGED the claws of the savage
brute scratched along the seat of the
saddle. The blow, however, was sufii-
,ient to knock the horse from his foot
ne, and he tumbled over the ledge,
pulling me with him. My gun went
pinning down the mountain, and horse
Ind man fell in conglomerate mass
ome twenty-five feet below. The ami
nal struck on my right leg and Sc
-erely bruised 1t. Besides this injury
ny left hand and arm sustained
'ruises and cuts. l managed to secure
hold on projecting rock after had
zone some fifty feet farther in sliding
ock.
"The horse found itself unable to
top and soon was bounding and bump
ng like bowlder down the steep in
line. At times the horse shot into the
ir fifty or seventy-five feet, and then
/ would strike against a rock and go
n farther down, humping and rolling.
strange to say, the animal could not
traighten out. or it might have been .
aved considerable of the fall. When
went over the cliff, it struck head
rst, and that's the way it continued i
own the mountain for fully half
lille.
Il looked up as soon as l saw that
here could be nothing done to save
almly looking over the ledge had
either gun nor knife, as both found
heir way from my grasp and tumbled
, the depths below. Bruin looked saw
&c enough to jump from the cliff aft
: me, but soon he pulled his head back
nd was gone. l concluded to save the
ack horse at any rate and after no
tile difficulty got back to the path by
circuitous route. My horse was stand
ng about 100 yards distant, and, &C.
uring him, l continued on to where I
lad left my sheep and deer the day
efore. The sight that met my eyes
why the bear had not
nade greater effort to kill one Of the
orses or me. Both deer had been at
acked by the brute, while one Of the
oats was partially eaten. Bruin had
easted on my game and was doubt
ass in his cave asleep when l passed
long the path with the horses. Thanks
D the deer and goats, was saved !
Greer struggle with the bear single ,
anded and unarmed.
Il managed to get back to camp By ,
ding the pack animal" ,
3. O, Taylor Whistles, lmpart strength and vlgor !