The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1926-10-21
"WESTLAND TRAILS
(By H. c. REAGAN)
All rights reserved
CHAPTER TWELVE
Continued
CAMP FIRE STORIES

CAMP FIRE STORIES
How he did it he cannot tell but he
got there before either Baronette or
the bear. A yell came from Baronette
to give him room in the tree. Up he
came as from catapault. Calling to
Uncle Charlie to move higher in the
tree so he could keep away from the
dam bear who was at the foot of the
tree trying to reach him. Every time
the bear would stand up Dick would
get in his work on the bear by biting
his on his hind quarters shipping him.
The bear would try and strike Dick
who was not there like the Irishman's
flea. The bear continued to harrass
the men in the tree but could not reach
them. Every time he made a fresh
effort to get into the tree Uncle
Charlie says Barontete hollered to him
to get up higher. After time the
silver tip gave it up as bad job.
The bear retiring, the two men max
ing sure he had gone far enough away
dropped to the ground and got their
guns and Dick. 1t was always point
of argument between Uncle Charlie
and Baronette after this episode as to
who could run the fastest, neither one
claiming the championship under the
circumstances. Dick received the
credit of saving Uncle Charlie and
Jack Baronette from that bear. Baron
cite Mountain is named after Jack
Baronette.
Incidents of Wild Animal Life
Hal Spencers love for the wild ami
mails made him observing of their hab-
its and actions in their native state.
The call of the coyotes generally called
hell warblers was as music in his
ears. The vast amount of noise that
can be produced by one or two coyotes
is almost unbelievable. All may be
still and then afar off may be heard
the call and bark of coyote on the
mountain side, a sharp staccato bark
which will be answered at some point
on the range far away. These calls
will re-echo and fill the air as if there
were mighty horde near. Yet one
who travels the trail longs to hear the
call. Spencer in time became able to
initiate the coyotes call and many
times when travelling on the mountain
ranges alone would be able to break
the silence of the great out doors by
calling the coyotes who would answer
from the mountain sides or canyon.
Coyotes are as rule towards and will
sneak away upon seeming danger. He
is kin to the wild dog and lives in holes
in the rocks where they rear their
broods. They have a slim lank body,
sharp muzzle and ears, grey in color
with brush tail.
A scene witnessed by Hal one day
revealed their method of devouring
their kill. Going along mountain
trail he came suddenly upon 5 coyotes
who were busily engaged in stripping
and devouring a doe. Hal had been
able to approach the coyotes due to the
fact that the wind was coming from
the coyotes and the trail lead to pro-
jecting rock which also cut off their
vision from Spencer's approach; also
being greedily engaged in devouring
that this feast was not love affair.
There was constant swapping, snarling
and rushing at each other during the
meal. The point of interest in this
feast was how they got rid of the skin.
1t is done in the following way. The
coyote have very sharp fangs and it
is with these they skin their prey by
biting through the skin, ripping the
skin into ribbone or shreds, thus I'M
covering the meat. Spencer after hav-
ing watched the coyotes for time
emerged from his hiding place and
faced the coyotes who with one accord
turned and fled up the mountain sides
as swift as possible which is at high
speed. On another occasion an oppor-
tunity was afforded to see how a
coyote will try and get young noun
tain sheep or kid separated from the
herd or from the mother. A herd Of
sheep were grazing upon the side Of
the Yellowstone adjacent a cliff over
looking the river, a commotion was
observed among the sheep. Espec-
tally the does.
After looking closely for cause it
was seen that pair of coyotes were
out for their breakfast and intended
that the mountain sheep should pro-
vide the meal. One coyote would
crouch near the edge of the cliff while
the mate would get as near the doe