Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1904-10-08
AN INTERESTING HUNT
In That Great Canyon in Central Idaho
Where Salmon River Flows.
]. s. DANFoRrH IN SHOOTING & FISHING.
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.

ivory bound jaws, and uttered a hair
lifting, prolonged howl, which had not
died away before the 1903 shot out its
fiery breath and the war had opened,
The distance between the bear and 10
was not more than fifty yards, but the
travelling was bad for anything but
a bear. To him it seemed like a trot-
ting course, and to all appearance JOS
shot had not touched him. AS soon as
the action of the rifle could be worked
10 shot again, and that time the bear
rolled over, and before he could get on
his feet again he was more than 200
feet below us. Another shot finished
him. We took some of the choice part
to eat and left the rest for the coyotes.
Our next step was to climb the mighty
cliffs. All day we worked at it and often
were obliged to risk all to mount some
shelf. 1t was curious to see how eager
Curley was to be taken up. He was
always the second one. After the hooks
were thrown and tested, either 10 or |
climed the rope, then Curley would be
hauled up. The rope was tied around
his body and when he was started he
seemed to enjoy it, and when at the top
seemed to take it as a matter of course.
At one time when had made the first
climb and Curley had been taken up, in
trying to look back to see if 10 was
coming he lost his footing and fell back
about thirty-ive feet. He was again
hauled up and took back seat. We
had no trouble all day in getting water
from melting ice, but when night come
we could look back to where we started
that morning, and it was but a short
distance. The big salmon was still in
sight, but only seen through the canyon
Of Big Five Mile. At times during the
day we saw large punches of mountain
sheep on different cliffs, and at one
time got fine view of cougar. We
could have no fire as there was no wood
to be had, and with our scanty bedding
the night was long and cold. Soon after
daylight we were again on the climb,
and just at night we reached peak on
which was an immense nest made by a
bald eagle. Both the owners We're at
home, and had eggs in their nest These
birds fought like demons, and l thought
at one time good old Curley was gone.
Their movements were so quick the rifle
was of but little use, but rocks and
clubs taken from the nest gave us the
advantage and we won the battle That
night we had a good fire by using the
birds nest, and we also tried to eat
broiled eagle eggs, but did not like them.
Around the nest was any number of
bones of young lambs, and 10 said if
the state would put a bounty on eagles
it would help the mountain sheep. 1t
certainly looked so. That was a fine
night. Our view was splendid, our fire
was worm, and no wind troubled it.
Our march the next day was not so
steep, and the country showed more
signs of animal life. Sheep were plen-
tiful and we saw some fine specimens.
At one time we saw some deer and on a
far-off slope toward the great butte we
saw several elk. We saw more animal
trails, and of course noticed their direc-
ton, and when we could we followed
them. Again we passed the night
among the bluff, and aside from being
little cold toward morning we rested
well.
The next day to our great joy we
found the great lick, and we could
hardly believe our own eyes. Deep in
the side of rainbow-colored dyke was
the work Of many thousands of sheep.
Ages must have gone by in this great
wild to have given time for sheep to
have eaten such hole. The first thing
of interest as we approached the cave
was to see the frightened sheep leap
away; the thump of their hoofs as they
leaped from rock to rock was music to
us, and we laughed aloud. Then we
entered the cave and examined the roof,
walls and floor. We found it to be of a
reddish gray color, no grit Of any kind,
and when rubbed in our hands it was as
fine as flour. 1t had brackish or salt
taste. We took a small sackfull from
various places, and after a rest of two
hours went on our way.
The next morning we were on top of
the great butte. and with glasses view
ed the mighty country. Two days later
we were again on the Salmon river with
our lick material, which we sent to the
New York doctor, who will, hope, find
that it can be made useful. If he does