AN ENCOUNTER WITH A GRIZZLY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2629, 18 May 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN ENCOUNTER WITH A GRIZZLY.

The Cincinnati Inquirer has the following account of an exciting and very nearly fatal encounter of two men with a grizzly bear: — "James Ingle, a stockman, resid-

ing near the main range of the Rockies, had for some time past been losing largo numbers of cattle, often finding their carcasses terribly mutilated and half buried in somo deep canon or glen far up among the fastnesses of the mountains. So, taking one of his best herders and a full supply of arms and equipments, he started out with the bold determination of hunting up some of these wild and savage beasts. A rido of several • miles brought the two men to tho foot of tho hills, and they began at once to scout the ravines I and patches of brush where they supposed one of the monster animals might lie concealed. For over two hours their efforts proved fruitless, but at length, emerging from a deep and narrow valley, they suddenly espied an immense grizzly less than six rods distant, and leisurely moving in an opposite direction, evidently making for the crags and peaks further up in tho range. On perceiving tho hunters the bear started to run for a dense thicket near by, but Ingle, in order to head him off from a hiding place, put spurs to his horse and dashed ahead recklessly. Tho grizzl3', seeing his chances of escape likely to be cut off, became infuriated and rushed towards tho men savagely. It being dowu

hill, tho animal's jumps were enormous, and he rapidly shortened the distance between himself and the hunters. Ingle's horse was frightened so badly that it became unmanageable, and while he was struggling with his pquine the bear overtook him, and, with a tremendous leap, caught the horse by the withers, hurling both it and the rider to the ground lugle, being an active man, regained his feet instantly, and darted toward co.ver. A few bites and groans, and tho bear killed the horse almost instantly, aud then proceeded to overtake Ingle, who was rushing for a place of safety at the top of his speed. Fortunately, tbo ranchman's herder caine to tho rescue, aud placing himself and horse almo-t squarely in front of the bear's course, diverted tho hitter's attention, and caused the bear to give them a hard chase over rough ground that well nigh resulted in their des:ruction. At length, skilfully avoiding tho animal, the herder returned to his partner, and again, with guns in hand, they started after the bear. He was found behind a small clump of bu-hes, and, when he saw his cucmies approaching, rushed out to vanquish them. Tho men stood their ground, and gave him several I shots from their Winchester rifles, but even these failed to quell his fury, as he

continued to rush upon them with open jaws, growling frightfully. The hear was almost against Ingle, when, at an opportune moment, and with great dexterity, tho latter jammed his rifle barrel down the animals throat, aud discharged tho weapon. Tho bear was severely stunned aud staggered, but lie managed to give Ingle a fearful stroke with his paw that felled the latter to the earth breathless and seriously wounded him. Springing upon his victim, and with his mouth filled with gore, tho boar was in the very act of grasping Ingle's head in his enormous jaws when tho herder gave tho animal a dead shot that dropped him instantly. The fall of the dead bear 011 tlir; body of the hunter almost crushed the latter completely, and it will bo many months before he fully recovers from his injuries. After taking his partner homo, the herder returned and skinned the bear, which was an enormous silver tip, the hide being considered very valuable. The desperate encounter, however, has proved rather discouraging to the boar hunters of this section."