It attacked with equal caution and ferocity, rushing at the bear as the latter ran, and seizing the outstretched hock with a grip of iron, stopping the bear short, but letting go before the angry beast could whirl round and seize it.

It was so active and wary that it always escaped damage; and it was so strong and bit so severely that the bear could not possibly run from it at any speed.

In consequence, if it once came to close quarters with its quarry, Woody could always get near enough for a shot.
Hitherto, however, the mountain hunters--as distinguished from the trappers--who have followed the grisly have relied almost solely on their rifles.

In my own case about half the bears I have killed I stumbled across almost by accident; and probably this proportion holds good generally.

The hunter may be after bear at the time, or he may be after blacktail deer or elk, the common game in most of the haunts of the grisly; or he may merely be travelling through the country or prospecting for gold.