The Browning review., 1924-05-02
m HE story of Hugh Glass, like
that Of John Golfer, is more than

THE story of Hugh Glass, like
that of John Golfer, is more than
= twice-told tale. Trappers and
fur traders, pioneers and the early
press have recounted it, and it has
been admirably rendered in verse by
John Neihardt, the western poet, and
nephew of the founder of the town
of Neihart. This versified narration
Is now issued as text book for use
in schools. Yet, Notwithstanding all
this publicity, comparatively few who
live in Montana are familiar with one
of the most interesting episodes of
frontier days.
Nothing is known of the early life
of Glass, except that he was born in
Pennsylvania, drifted west, and be-
| came a trapper. In 1924 he was
commonly referred to as "Old Glass"
although his story really opens in
1928. He had taken part in the
Leavenworth campaign and was
wounded. At its conclusion he join
ed the Henry party that was going
to the Yellowstone.
They followed up the Grand river,
their way often obstructed by thick
cts of wild plum trees, and such
other shrubs and trees as are native
to that part of the country Like
trappers, they carried few supplies,
depending upon the game killed for
their living. Glass, being an ex-
cellent hunter, was sent ahead to act
in the capacity Of provider for the
party.
Near evening of their fifth days
journey, as Glass broke through a
thick growth of underbrush into an
open space, he was startled at see
ing large grizzly, or white bear"
as they were then called, lying close
to him on the sand. Being 1.-The fe-
male of the species" and with hun
cry cubs anxious for meal time, she
did not lie long, but sprang at the
hunter, and tearing piece of flesh
from his body, threw it to her cubs.
Taken utterly unawares and over
powered by the ferocious animal,
Glass could do nothing to defend
himself, but lay there helpless while
the bear mangled him fearfully, un-
til some other hunters came to the
spot attracted by his cries, and kill
ing the bear and her cubs, saved his
life.
But was he destined to live? That
seemed doubtful; for how could any
one survive such frightful wounds as
he had received? He was unable to
move, and was delirious at times.
His case was desperate, and the party
could not afford to be delayed long
by the disability Of one of its men,
bers, from any cause. Yet these men
| we're not willing to abandon their
comrade altogether. BY the promise
of a reward, two of their number
agreed to stay with Glass until his
recovery or death, when they could
rejoin the party.
Faithful to their promise for five
days, the two did what they could to
help Glass. At the end of that time,
seeing he was apparently no better,
and that he refused to die, they left
him, taking with them his weapons,
and whatever else he had. Alone in
the Wilderness; helpless from his
wounds; without shelter or food;
surrounded by wild animals and
wilder men, Glass did not die.
In some manner he painfully
found his way to the margin of the
stream, and there, subsisting on the
wild cherries and buffalo berries
within his reach, he slowly regained
his strength to the extent that he
could move away from there.
During all this time his heart had
been filled with bitterness because
of his abandonment, and he only
craved lite that he might be reveng-
ed on those two men. At first he
could not walk; he crawled along the
| ground in the direction of Fort
Kiowa on the Missouri, hundred
miles away. Berries or roots must
have been his sole food, until he
chanced on a buffalo calf the wolves
had killed, and partially devoured.
He drove away the wolves, but how
he did this weaponless, and in his
weakened state, is not easy to under
stand. From the calf he made a
hearty meal, that greatly strengthen.
ed him, and taking what he could
carry with him Of the remainder OF
the meat, continued his journey, fur
ther stimulated by thoughts of the
punishment he would administer to
his treacherous companions, and so
at length reached Fort Kiowa.
Learning there that boat was
about to leave for the Yellowstone,
he was only too glad to Join its crew.
On approaching Mandan village
Glass, to save time, decided to cut
across bend in the river to Tilton's
fort, a post built by James Kipp that
was constantly harassed by the Ari-
] no, ,ou ~vhn 0f,, on tha ., - Porfu n q "a ter.