New-York tribune., 1906-08-12
ss9z HUNTING BIG GAME WITH MR. JUSTICE BREWER 22zNzzS

it was there for his special benefit That he had
been imbibing freely long time unknown to
any of the party shown by his subsequent
actions.
He a very large and strong specimen of
his race. The first symptom he gave of overin-
dulgence was when he began to boast loudly that
he would walk up to the FIRST grizzly encountered
or trapped and administer swift kick to it.
He offered 10 bet me his months salary against
$50 that he would make good. ! said that
wouldn't bet $50 but would double the amount
and make him present of it when saw him
kick the bear.
The next morning of our party came into
camp in great excitement with the announce
ment that he had busting big grizzly in the
trap He further informed US that the bear
was caught only by two toes, and was very
ugly customer. All were in high spirits over the
news
I'VE quickly saddled our mounts and were not
long in arriving at the bear trap. Old Bruin
was in a dangerous temper and mistake.
He shook the big sixty-pound steel trap as
though it weighed no more than a feather, and
tugged violently at the chain in an endeavOr to
get at
'I put my boy up a tree. where he was safe
in case the bear should break away the body
Of a grizzly being too heavy to admit of his
climbing a tree 1 then turned to Bill Goat
with the remark. Bill. here's your hundred.
and there's your bear. Go get him
'Bilrs eyes rolled so that only the whites
showed at so terrifying prospect. But, despite
his fear, after spotting friendly tree, he pulled
himself together with a show of courage AMI
walked gingerly around the bear, with a view
of approaching him from the rear. He got
within probably twenty yards of Bruin, when
the bear made mighty lunge at Bill, who went
up a tree in better time than scared squirrel.
The bear was quickly killed by a shot from
one of the party. and ii was not until the skin
ming well under way that Bill could be got
TO come down from his perch Of refuge. OF
course, he was laughed at and chaffed unmerci-
fully.
ION reaching the ground his whole manner
was changed into one of ferocious glee. All the
savagery in his nature seemed to be excited.
During the skinning he would run his arms un-
der the hide up to the armpits and into the
viscera, covering himself with blood and SEEM
ing to revel in it, as he chanted Negro songs
and repeatedly butted the carcass of the dead
bear with his head. No one thought much OF
this performance at the time other than to re-
gard it as amusing. as it was set down as an
exhibition OF Negro antics.
"One Of the sources OF amusement on the oc-
casion of the killing of bear was to put the
skin of the animal a mule which was used
a pack animal. Every one who has hunted
big game knows that it is difficult to get a
horse or mule within smelling distance of a
bear. The mule. OF course, had to be blind
folded and his uostris held during this opera
ton. An expert bronco buster would then get
aboard him. AS usual, this amusement was pro-
posed on this occasion. With much difficulty
the skin was at last strapped on mule. When
he was turned loose he was a combination of a
jumping jack and whirligig. His rider lasted
about fifteen seconds.
During this laughable incident Justice Brew
er was alone with the Negro, and while we were
extricating the bronco buster from the brush
and catching the mule Bill Goat walked up and
rubbed his bloody hands on Justice Brewers
leggings.
Justice Brewer said. You black scoundrel
what do you mean" Bill replied that if Justice
Brewer said anything ne would wipe his
hands upon his face. The justice said nothing
more.
NO one else saw this occurrence or knew of
it, Justice Brewer said nothing TO me- as was
the host, probably fearing the consequences to
the Negro. He looked upon the Negro as Who'll
ly irresponsible, and was willing to let the mat
ter drop, for the time being. at least He did
cOnfide in Judge Davis, however but enjoined
secrecy upon him.
1--WE soon reached camp again. All were in