Year: 1871




sible, yet he could not deceive the
extraordinary delicacy OF their olfac-
tories. Immediately after they be
gan moving slowly away.


This action on the part of the elk
or the antelope is always prelimina-
ry to a leap and faster run; and,
without waiting for this, Carson
quickly sighted his eye and pulled
the trigger.


The largest and fattest of the
game made a frenzied bound in the
air, and fell dead in his tracks; while
the hunter, drawing his knife, dashed
forward with the intention of secu-
ring the choicest bits for the supper
of himself and friends.


Ere he reached the prize, howey-
er, a terrific roar caugh his ear, and
he knew at once that some appalling
danger was at hand. Turning his
head, he saw two immense grizzly
bears coming toward him at full
speed.


They appeared to be fairly wild
with savage hunger-their red
mouths open, and their white teeth
glittering, as they contemplated the
dainty supper before them. Now
and then they gave utterance to
muttering growls as they advanced
rapidly with their long swinging
galiop-awkard in itself, but capa-
Bile Of great speed whenever the
monsters choose to exert them
selves.


At such a time hesitation would
have been death. The bears were
not seeking the elk, but the hunter
and they were after him with ven
geance, too.


His rifle was empty, and there was
no time to reload it. Had he but
the bullet in its place, he could have
slain the foremost Kitout difficulty;
but his rifle was now useless for that
purpose.


For one second he thought of
clubbing it, and making a desperate
fight; but Kit Carson was too old a
hunter to commit suicide in that
manner, and he held the thought bat
an instant.


The only prospect of safety was in
his heels; and, throwing aside his
rife, he made for the nearest trees
at the top of his speed, not pausing
to glance at the brutes that he knew
were close behind.


Kit Carson, although short in
stature, was remarkable active, and
he bounded over the ground with the
speed of the terrified elk, who were
dashing away over the plains with
the swiftness of the wind.


Never had he sped so rapidly, for
he was running for life, the greatest
stake which ever yet tempted a con
testant for prize.


Fortunately the distance was not
great, and, a moment later, he thun-
dered beneath the nearest three, and
reaching up, he caught the lower
limb in one hand, swung his body
over it, and scrambled to the top
with the agility of a monkey.


But the hunter was not yet safe.
Bears climb trees, and they frequent
ly do it far better than men. He
knew well enough that they would
not yield their coveted prize in this
manner, but would Immediately fol
low him.


As soon, therefore, as he had at
tanned an altitute of about a dozen.
feet, he drew his knife, and began
cutting at large limb. He labored
with desperate earnestness, for all
now depended upon that.


Ina few seconds he had cut it half
of, and quickly replacing his knife,
he grasped the limb in both hands,
gave it powerful wrench, and twisted
it clear of the body.


Just at this juncture the bears
were beneath the tree, and the next
moment one Of them began to ascent.
Carson seized the limb in a firm
grasp, and placed himselfin the best
position he could secure to dispute
the matter with them.


There is a peculiarity about grizzly
bears, and, in fact, about ali Of the
various species, which, perhaps is
not generally known. They noses
are very sensitive, and they are
more susceptible to stinging pain on
that organ than upon any other part
Of the body.


Kit Carson was well aware Of this,
and the instant the foremost bear
came within reach, he dealt him a
tremendous Whack upon the snOut.
The brute shook his head, blinked,
but held his ground. The next sec
ond a more powerful blow was given
him, and bewildered with pain, be
beat hasty retreat to the earth, un-
til he could recover.


The other bear, however, had not
yet mingled in the fight but immdi-
ately did so.


As he came scrambling up, Carson
waited until he was in the proper
position, when he gave him a half
dozen blows with the quickness
of lighting, and with all the great
strength, that he could summon into
his muscular arms.


This was altogether more than he
expected, and more than he could
stand. He was so cOnfounded and
named that he tumbled to the ground
in a great heap; but neither of them
was disposed to give up the contest
as yet.


1t being the fall of the year, both
of the grizzlies were quite fat. This,
undoubtedly, made them clumsy and