The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-08

@ wash dugout, and engaged A two fresh men-one Davey,
 who had the reputation of knowing the river and was not afraid Of bears, and a sunny-faced boy named Dease Lake Tommy; who proved him self an excellent oarsman. Albert the man of moose-rather surprised me by wishing to come down too, not as hunter, since he knew nothing of the Stihine and its bears, but as steersman of the boat, in which capac ity he proved himself an adept Just as we were starting, MT. But CT, who had been hunting in the Iskoot noun tains, turned up with three splendid sheep's heads. He wished a Hit" for 20 miles down stream to the cab in of a certain Capt. Conover, an old prospe Nor and trapper who lives on this lonely stream and knows all about bears. MT. Butler had had a good chance at fiue grizzly on the mountains, but alas, he had missed it, and was anxious to retrieve his mis- fort me. He stayed with Conover three days and then came down stream, having seen and missed two grizzlies.
 lortly after leaving Conover's hut and having passed all the worst of the rapids, we came in sight of great overflow which is known as Me Leods slough. Just before reaching the slough l noticed a black spot about 600 yards down stream, which proved to be bear swimming the river. All was excitement in a min ute. The bear, medium-sized one, reached the bank as we careened into broken water at the bottom of the rap i'd. The distance was not more than 50 yards, yet I found it almost i'm possible to get even a snapshot, ow- ing to the rolling of the boat. Seeing that we should in moment shoot past the bear, let three somewhat hope less shots in quick succession. each of which struck the sand about three inches below the mark, and had the modification of observing the bear walk slowly into the heavy bush with complete indifference.
 Next morning, in most horrible weather, we whizzed down streall to a spot which, if only the sun would shine upon it, might be described as among the most beautiful in the world. Under vast mountains about 50 miles below Telegraph creek small stream cuts into the shaggy forest. One side is overshadowed by precipitous rocks and the other by dense forest of great trees. This is called Klooch- hn hot plerces it is a spawning ground of the humpback salmon, and consequently a favorite resort of bears. We landed about 400 yards above it. when Davey and I at once proceeded to stalk the place.
 There were no bears there that morning, but an abundance of fresh signs. Twenty black bears and at least one large grizzly must have been catching salmon for several days, so we withdrew as noiselessly as possible and went up stream and down wind for quarter of a mile and made camp for the day.
 Three o'clock In the afternoon is the usual hour for bears to start feed ing, so Albert, Davey and I again re- peated our stalk to the brook mouth at this hour. The last few yards went on alone, and at first was much disappointed at seeing nothing but a black dipper diving in the shadows within a few yards. The forest and cliff cast deep gloom on the little river; it was showing as usual, and the light was so poor that I had to look long time at two black marks about so yards away in the middle of the stream to determine their nature Presently, as I watched one of these strange things, 1t seemed to move. Was I dreaming or had it really moved? Yes, it moved again, and l saw large black paw suddenly come out of the water and grab at some thing which it seemed to miss. After gazing intently I saw that the ether black mark was the head of a large black bt ar with cooked ears. The bear was fishing, and had made three unsuccessful shots at salmon as they swan past him. On the second Occa- sion I think he touched the fish i'll his grab, for l distinctly saw him open his mouth and show his white teeth in anticipation of seizing the expe cted prize. 1 would not have disturbed him for the world as 1 wanted to see the whole business of bear-hshing: hut l