[Illustration: Grizzly Bear and Buffaloes.]
The Grizzly Bear is a native of North America, and has been found near
61 degrees north latitude, and as far as Mexico to the south. It is
exceedingly formidable on account of its great strength and ferocity. It
overpowers even the American Bison, and has been seen to drag along a
carcass a thousand pounds in weight.
These bears vary considerably in color; the young are darker than the
older specimens. The feet are armed with long curved claws, those on the
fore-feet being larger than the hind ones. The Grizzly Bear can dig with
ease, and is able when young to ascend trees.
It usually inhabits swampy, well-covered spots among trees and bushes,
and here it makes its lair. It prowls forth both by night and day, and
is more carnivorous than the Black Bear, but in the latter part of
summer seeks eagerly for the fruits which then abound; it prefers,
however, the flesh of animals, and will partially bury a carcass for
future supply, after having feasted upon its best parts.
Townsend, in the “Narrative of a Journey across the Rocky Mountains,”
gives the following account of an adventure with a Grizzly Bear on a
small stream running down a valley covered with quagmires:
“As we approached our encampment near a small grove of willows on the
margin of the river, a tremendous Grizzly Bear rushed out upon us. Our
horses ran wildly in every direction, snorting with terror, and became
nearly unmanageable. Several balls were instantly fired into him, but
they only seemed to increase his fury. After spending a moment in
rending each wound (their invariable practice), he selected the person
who happened to be nearest, and darted after him, but before he
proceeded far he was sure to be stopped again by a ball from another
quarter.
“In this way he was driven about among us for fifteen minutes, at times
so near some of the horses that he received several severe kicks from
them. One of the pack-horses was fastened upon by the brute, and in the
terrified animal’s efforts to escape the dreaded gripe, the pack and
saddle were broken to pieces and disengaged. One of our mules also gave
him a kick in the head, which sent him rolling to the bottom. Here he
was finally brought to a stand. The poor animal was now so surrounded by
enemies, that he was completely bewildered. He raised himself upon his
hind-feet, standing almost erect, his mouth partly open; and from his
protruding tongue the blood fell in fast drops. While in this position
he received about six more balls, each of which made him reel. At last,
in complete desperation, he rushed into the water and swam several yards
with astonishing strength and agility, the guns cracking at him
constantly. But he was not to proceed far. Just then, Richardson, who
had been absent, rode up, and fixed his deadly aim upon him, fired a
ball into the back of his head, which killed him instantly.
“The strength of four men was required to drag the ferocious brute from
the water; upon examining his body, he was found completely riddled;
there did not appear to be four inches of his shaggy person, from the
hips upward, that had not received a ball. There must have been at least
thirty shots made at him, and probably few missed him; yet such was his
tenacity of life that I have no doubt he would have succeeded in
crossing the river, but for the last shot in the brain. He would
probably weigh at the least six hundred pounds, and was about the height
of an ordinary steer. The spread of the foot laterally was ten inches,
and the claws measured seven inches in length. This animal was
remarkably lean. When in good condition he would doubtless much exceed
in weight the estimate given.”
When driven by hunger, the Grizzly Bear is especially fierce and daring
in seeking his prey, and (as our illustration shows on page 35) will
even approach a herd of Buffalo and attack a straying calf. He has
fallen upon this young Buffalo which has foolishly wandered apart from
the herd, and thrown him down. Directly will the Grizzly tear his prey
upon whose body his powerful fore paws are placed, when he is
interrupted in an unwelcome manner. The anguished bellowing and bleating
of the fallen animal have been heard by the distant feeding herd, and
the old Buffalos come immediately, their great, clumsy, heavy bodies
storming along with startling swiftness to punish the Bear for his
bloody deed. He sees that he must for the time being postpone his feast
and prepare to protect himself against the approaching attacking party
of whom especially the foremost steer, with colossal head sunk low, jaws
foaming and tail thrown up, presents a vivid picture of ungovernable
strength and fury. The outcome of the battle can not be doubtful to us.
Although the Grizzly could easily capture a single Buffalo, his great
strength can avail nothing against the whole herd of these great
animals. The Bear, who is a swift runner, must either seek safety in
flight, or find his end under the horns of his opponents.