ions regarding his courage and
his willingness to attack men have very materially changed.

In passing over the elevated table-lands lying between the two forks of
the Platte River in 1858, I encountered a full-grown female grizzly
bear, with two cubs, very quietly reposing upon the open prairie,
several miles distant from any timber. This being the first opportunity
that had ever occurred to me for an encounter with the ursine monster,
and being imbued with the most exalted notions of the beast's
proclivities for offensive warfare, especially when in the presence of
her offspring, it may very justly be imagined that I was rather more
excited than usual. I, however, determined to make the assault. I felt
the utmost confidence in my horse, as she was afraid of nothing; and,
after arranging every thing about my saddle and arms in good order, I
advanced to within about eighty yards before I was discovered by the
bear, when she raised upon her haunches and gave me a scrutinizing
examination. I seized this opportune moment to fire, but missed my aim,
and she started off, followed by her cubs at their utmost speed. After
reloading my rifle, I pursued, and, on coming again within range,
delivered another shot, which struck the large bear in the fleshy part
of the thigh, whereupon she set up a most distressing howl and
accelerated her pace, leaving her cubs behind. After loading again I
gave the spurs to my horse and resumed the chase, soon passing the
cubs, who were making the most plaintive cries of distress. They were
heard by the dam, but she gave no other heed to them than occasionally
to halt for an instant, turn around, sit up on her posteriors, and give
a hasty look back; but, as soon as she saw me following her, she
invariably turned again and redoubled her speed. I pursued about four
miles and fired four balls into her before I succeeded in bringing her
to the ground, and from the time I first saw her until her death-wound,
notwithstanding I was often very close upon her heels, she never came
to bay or made the slightest demonstration of resistance. Her sole
purpose seemed to be to make her escape, leaving her cubs in the most
cowardly manner.

Upon three other different occasions I met the mountain bears, and once
the cinnamon species, which is called the most formidable of all, and
in none of these instances did they exhibit the slightest indication of
anger or resistance, but invariably ran from me.

Such is my