Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-18

SSS lnLO Cne mountains.
1t was in accordance with this
Western custom that party consisting, OF
Charley Morris, Ben Torrens, Hugh Llndley
and myself, arranged in August, 1876, for, a
months hunting and fishing on the Cache-la-
Poudre River.
We made up an "outft'' among U.s., I fur
nishing wagon of fathers. the Others a
team and tent. Each of us supplied himself
with gun, fishing tackle and gum boots for
wading. | also took pair OF moccaslns
father had bought from the Utes in one OF
his surveying tours in their reservation.
The moccasins fitted WELL and, besides en-
abling me to walk securely in the most slip,
perry places, they added a sort of aboriginal
sentiment to my trip
The day of our start was perfectly cloud
of thin, dry air. The mountains loomed high
and dusky to the West, but capped even then
with glistening snow.
We had hundred and thirty miles to trav-
ell, and foolishly hoped to cover that distance
in two days. But the first day we pushed
our team too much, and it was not until three
days later that we entered the grim canyon
of the river.
About sundown we reached beautiful
glade, containing ten or twelve acres, full of
camp, on the bank of the stream.
1t was quite dark when our tent was pitch
ed and nearly midnight when supper was
dispatched and we went to bed.
After a, hearty breakfast next morning, we
took lunches and went, two up and two down
stream, to fish. But the river was high, and
trout did not bite we'll
That afternoon VIC returned to camp pretty
well tagged out, and with but a scant mess
OF hsh among us.
But one incident Of the day furnished
much interest. Ben Torrens had seen tracks
mile up the river, which he declared were
made by bear
This news so excited us that hunt was
at once planned for the next day. Accord
lngly, our guns were cleaned, and we spent
an hour in target practice, with results that
made us sure of any game that might come
in our way.
All of us had heard something about the
danger of scrimmage with the Rocky Noun
tain bear, and l felt secret uneasiness at
Ithe thought OF an encounter with one. This |
led me to propose hunting together, as we
had tished, but my proposition was at once
voted down by the others.
WED scare all the game out of the coun- |
thry h;,l If p we went together, said Lindley "old
find game, and he's had experience"
Old Dave Brian was considered authority
absolute authority, in fact, having been one
Of our pioneer hunters. But the chief reason
ior ms authority with us was an adventure
that had marked him for life.
AT one time he had put seven balls into
huge cinnamon" and then had to finish the
light with his bowie, receiving in this hand
to-hand encounter hug that cracked his
ribs and blow from the big paw of the
brute that tore off nearly half his scalp.
l was too proud to show fear, but dreamed
bad dreams that night, and the next morn
ing found myself still uneasy.
In order to walk more securely on slip
perry, rocks, the other boys put on their wad-
ing boots, but | wore my moccasins, which
were triple-soled, and far more comfortable
than dozen-pound pair of boots. Besides.
they made as little noise as a cat, which
would enable me to stalk game without
frightening it.
L had fathers Winchester, and considered
myself fair. marksman, having made several
good scores in the home rifle club,
We separated at the tent, / going north.
The day was glorious and as nothing ap
peared for some hours, my courage gradually
rose and l forgot all about danger
l crossed our little glade, and assembled
steep, rugged gully, probably dug out by some
ancient mountain torrent. 1t was my plan to
follow this ravine to its source, and descend
to the river road when assured that there
was no game to be taken.
To Chamber up the rough ascent was bv
no means easy had to rest every few yards
to regain breath
In the course of three hours however.
reached a perpendicular wall that marked
the head of the ravine. Then turning west
| crept along for half mile, until the bluff
made blunt angle northwest, and stood
on the boundary of burnt timber district.
Dead trees lay in every direction, while
here and there among them a second growth
of pine shrubs bristled. At first sight the
ground looked impossible, but, mounting ihe
fallen timber, | managed to go slowly forward
nausing occasionally to reconnoitre.