by Harry Erasmus Middleton (c 1880)

When I was a boy my father and family lived in Western Colorado on a large and beautiful ranch. I was about fourteen years old and was very fond of hunting.

Our farm was situated between two large and beautiful mountains, the tops of which were almost all the time covered with snow. It was indeed a beautiful home setting down there in that cosy valley like a little nest. Us boys used to take a great interest in keeping the out houses in repair and the fences white-washed and especially the houses and cattle in good order. Each of us three boys had a pony of his own and all of us could ride well and each was a pretty fairshot Charlie was the best shot, then came Bob and then came poor me. Sometimes, though, I could make a shot by chance, as good as they.

There was plenty of game around our farm but sometimes bears were most too plentiful. So we decided to take a hunt up in the mountains after grizzlies. It was in the fall of the year and one night we began talking about it, so we decided to start the next morn. at sunrise. Well, I don’t think I slept 1 hour out of the whole night, I was so excited. Going after grizzlies I tell you was like a big man! I spent the best part of that night cleaning my rifle and revolvers which were of the best make. At last day broke and found my brothers and myself in the stable saddling up. Then we led the horses around to the house and eat some breakfast, fixed a little snack and started off. There three ofus well mounted and well armed. We took a spare horse to carry our tent and cooking utensils and some little food to last the first day; then we were going to depend on the forest and stream for food.

We rode all day, and at sundown, camped in a lovely spot on the side of a stream. I had to “play” cook and after supper the horses were picketed out and we went to work gathering wood to last the night. About ten o’clock the moon rose and then as Iliad to keep guard I walked a little distance away to look at our pretty camp.

There! the beautiful campfire blazed and cast a light broad circle all around the camp and revealed the shadows of two large dark forms lying near (my Brothers) and a little way back of that were our beautiful ponies, some lying down and some standing there as if they enjoyed the sight as I did.

Off at a distance were the beautiful mountains standing out toward the beautiful sky. While the moon gently glided above them and shone on the tall pines which cast great shadows. Now and then one these was moved by the gentle breeze and I would think it was a wild animal or an Indian.

While in this kind of dream, Bob woke and I “turned in” I did not know anything until next morn when I felt someone shaking inc hard. We were all up and had breakfast, fed the ponies and “broke” camp and started off within 1 hour and a half. What a beautiful morning! the stilt shone brightly on the dew covered grass and the birds sang sweet songs among the branches as we passed. Everything scented happy and gay. I was riding a little in advance and something dashed past me and frightened m_y pony. I at once sprang to the ground and ran through the brush and then about 50 yards distant was a beautiful deer. I dropped to my knee, armed my rifle and tired all in one motion also did the beautiful beast drop dead with a bullet in his heart. By this time Bob and Charlie came up. I sprang forward with a cry of jo’ and brought my game to them. 0! wasn’t I proud! for I was the first to kill any “big game.” Well! we started on and before dinnertime we had two deer and some ducks. 1 need not say that we were tired and of course enjoyed our rest in the shade. After dinner we crossed a stream and discovered a grizzlies’ track. Bob and myself decided to follow it while Charlie would remain in camp. We started out. 0! how eager I was to get a shot at that bear, but it seemed the longer we rode, the longer we had to ride. But at least the tracks got fresher.

And it was getting later, when suddenly I heard a rustle in the bushes. I jumped off my horse and tied him. Bob did the same. Then we crept forth to where the sound came from, but there was nothing; we went a little further, and suddenly was saw what seemed to be a mass of hair moving in the brush about 25 yards off. But we couldn’t get a shot at him. 0 how 1 trembled. I made a noise and the brute saw us. By this time we were in a clearing. There was an old oak log lying in front of us so we made for it. The bear raised on his haunches and stood for a moment looking atus in bewilderment I was kneeling behind the log and Bob was standing by my side.

There! picture us there with rifles in hand behind the log waiting for a movement of the beast, and he standing on his on his haunches his great claws out at full length, his wild eyes glaring at us and his great mouth wide open and his red toungue hanging out and his great, wide, terrible, but beautiful teeth shining in the sunlight. It was a beautiful but terrible sight as we stood there looking at each other! Bob raised his cocked rifle and tired striking the bear in the side, and wounding hint, not fatally however, it only angered hint. Then, 0! those teeth became brighter, his tongue more red, his mouth opened three times as wide and his eyes flashed more furiuosly as he dashed towards us. I trembled a little and then became steady. I fired and the shot went well, straight between the eyes. He fell but was on his feet in an instant and came toward us. Both our rifles were unloaded. What should we do’? I drew my revolver and jumped to one side. I put a ball through his heart. “Well done” shouted Bob as he saw the beast roll over and kick his last. I trembled an instant and then realized what I had done. I felt prouder and braver than ever before in my lit’e. I went for the horses and we put the bear on one of them, and started for camp. Which we reached in due time without any trouble. Charlie had shot a deer and a cinnemon bear while we were gone. We camped there that night. I need not describe that place, but it was more beautiful than the other previous night We reached home about dark the next day and how glad they were to see us. We weighed the bear that I shot and found that lie tipped the scales at 900 lbs. The others were smaller. I certainly was proud of that hunt. We boys had to drive a herd of cattle to town the next day. But we intend to go on a hunt soon and stay a week or two. Then I’ll show Bob and Charlie how! can shoot

(original) H. Middleton.