frequently measure fourteen inches. The
courage, sagacity and skill invariably evinced by this species of
bear, when engaged in a fight, is not equaled by any other wild animal
on the face of the globe, not excepting the lion.
We take pleasure in here giving further publicity to the careful
research and plain truths which have emanated from the pen of that
distinguished and successful traveler Dr. Livingston. The new ideas
which appear in his pages in regard to the courage of the "King of
Beasts," have served, in a measure, to correct the general impression,
and to bring down from its high-stilted hyperbole the courage,
sagacity and terrible power of the lion, which, he states, are
overrated. We do not desire to contradict published statements any
farther than our own personal knowledge extends; hence, we give
our authority for our statements in regard to the lion, very well
satisfied ourself with Dr. Livingstone's love of truth and earnest
candor. So much for the lion. Our statements in regard to the Rocky
Mountain grizzly bear rest upon our own knowledge and investigation,
gathered in his own haunts and on his own wild domain; and, as such,
are given upon our own responsibility. Because brave American woodsmen
can readily conquer the monarch of the American forest; and because
the chicken-hearted Afric son, or dweller, trembles before the steady
glare of the Afric King of Beasts, _ergo_ his bearship must in popular
opinion, play subordinate to his lionship. For the sake of truth,
we should like to see the Spanish arena once open for a fighting
encounter between a Rocky Mountain bear and an African lion, full and
native grown specimens of each. The bull-fights all good men abhor;
but, such a battle would serve to set at rest a fast-growing doubt
among naturalists; and, so far, would prove available to science and
the cause of truth. We would readily stake a purse on the bear.
With the Indians of the West, who live mostly by hunting, among whom,
nine out of ten would, single handed, readily face a score of native
lion spearsmen and, we verily believe, put them to flight; a man is
considered a great brave who, alone, will undertake to kill a grizzly
bear. If he succeeds, which is very rarely the case, his fortune in
his tribe is made, once and for all. The reputation he gains will
cling to and follow him into his grave and form one of the chief
burdens of the tradition which bears his name to posterity. The
Indians
|