Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-21
The Procedure
Worked Beautifully
in Theory: but Was
Sometimes Defective
in Practice"

CPEAKING of avalanches, remarked Major
: Gaspe, apropos of nothing at all, reminds me
- of curious and disastrous adventure of mine
few years ago in the Canadian Rockies.
Engaged z in gathering material for my great
hunting and exploring in the Kootena range for
many weeks, with excellent results. My sole assist
ant was local guide named sgd Hinton, the best
hunter and trapper and the worst practical joker
have ever met. Sgd had been commissioned to pro-
live grizzly bear for the Bronx Zoo, and had
consented to accompany me only on condition that
l should help him bring it in. Whether intentional
on his part not, this agreement certainly proved
to be joke on me huge enough to satisfy even Syds
artlessly elemental sense of humor.
For sgd had unquestionably succeeded; but the
bear-and he big fellow-had shown sim
guar lack of consideration in allowing himself to be
captured hundred and fifty miles from anywhere
in perverse and perpendicular a region as 1t has
ever been my hard lot to negotiate even when unim-
peded by obstinate and peevish grizzly as trav-
cling companion
THE method adopted by sgd to induce his Bear
ship to join party in return to civilization
ingenious if somewhat nerve racking. He had con-
trived, with uncommon daring and not without some
painful souvenirs, to place round the animals neck
stout collar, to which attached long and
strong steel chain fastened midway of it's length to
a heavy log. The loose half of the chain ended in a
snaphook, by means of which Bruin made fast
TO some convenient tree whenever we were not on
the march.
WHEN it time to move on, sgd would APP
w proach the bear-he always kept it's appetite
keen edge-with succulent morsel of food
while would sneak up in the rear and unlock the
chain, which l retained firm grip with both
hands The bear, of course would jump for the
food with which sgd would retreat rapidly, dangling
it tantalzngly before the eyes of the hungry beast
The weight of the log, and my applied when
necessary, imposed sufficient handicap to insure
Syds retaining the lead. When rest became adj
visable or necessary, sgd would throw the meat to
the bear, and while he engaged in devouring it
j would take turn round the nearest tree with my
end of the chain, snap the hook on it, and quickly
retire safe distance.
This procedure worked beautifully in theory; but
was sometimes uncomfortably defective in practice
For instance, not infrequently the bear would get
tired of chasing sgd and arbitrarily decide to turn
his attention to me- which required much alertness
on my part to elude him, especially if there
tree Immediately at hand to hitch up to. In that
case, would have to drop everything and run; and
sgd and would change places for awhe-but
for any longer than could help.
When you realize that each day. after
having gone through these acrobatic and
discomposing experiences. we had to 60 back
over the trail, load our pack animals, and
conduct them to our camp by another route, n
you will understand how thoroughly and how II
soon repented of my bargain. / shall always ~
retain the highest appreciation of Syds ability
trapper, whether of bears or of men