How Pablo Killed the Grizzly.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 149, 20 December 1902, Page 6 (Supplement)

How Pablo Killed the Grizzly.

There was an Indian hanger-on about the ranche, a big Yaqui', one might truthfully say a living bronze model of Hercules, though his copper-coloured skin fitted smooth and even about his rounded limbs and only in moments of tense strain did his sinews and muscles stand out like knotted cables. The "boss," while prospecting for a fresh range, had picked him ' up in a half-starved condition out in a desert somewhere, and after his recovery the Indian showed no inclination to leave. However, he soon proved himself useful, not only in supplying the outfit with game, but as a trailer. The Indian's sole outfit when found consisted of a pair of ragged, greasy overalls, a necklace made of the claws of the grizzly bear, a buckthorn handled knife with a- sixteen-inch blade, and an old Springfield rifle branded "U.S." He never told us how he became possessor of the rifle, but never tired of telling of his first encounter with grizzlies; would separate the claws on the necklace into "sets" and tell where and how he killed each animal. He boasted bo long and often of his ability to take his knife and kill a grizzly, and that he wanted no better fun, that it was no wonder when the boys roped a big silver-tip up in Box canyon that their first thought was of Pablo. So word was sent to Pablo of the captare of a Box canyon, and to the surprise of the doubting Thomases he soon came racing up to the scene on the pinto cow pony that had been set aside for his use. "Un grand oso," he fairly shouted, in a manner indicating joyous excitement, as nearly as compatible with his Indian nature. Dismounting, he ran to the circle which, ifc may be superfluous to add, was wide of the grizzly monster now maddened and biting furiously at the tough ropes encircling his neck and great forepaws. In a moment Pablo was stripped to his breech-clout, his oia red bandana kerchief tying back his long black hair. Then he wrapped a strip of heavy woollen blanket about his left arm from the shoulder down over ihe hand, and, with the help of one of the boys, tied it on securely with a piece of rawhide lariat; finally hanging his necklace of bears' claws over his left wrist, he grasped his knife in his right and started to advance. . "Cast loose your raitis, senors. Pablo wants no advantage," called the Indian, md the men obeyed. The moment the ropes were slackened the bear clawed the nooses from about his shaggy neck and stood unfettered, while for ourselves and horses we sought positions farther away. When within fifteen feet of hiß enemy Pablo began moving in a circle about him, dangling the necklace, and hi a chant extolling the bravery of the Yaquis and the cowardice of grizzlies, and the one before him particularly; calling his attention to the necklace, to the ma- — f terial of which it waa composed, torn, chanted, from the living bodies of his opponent's brethren, and asking why he did not come crawling to his feet like a whimpering dog. Faster and faster grew Pablo's circling dance, bis chant keeping time to his steps ; behind the grizzly's rough hair his two vicious little eyes glowed like iridescent beads, all his terrible teeth showing in a formidable length of jaw, and those powerful forearms, that could easily break . the back of a ateer, held much in the position of a pugilist on guard. As rapidly as Pablo moved the bear turned in his place as if on a' pivofc, always Wei-ing front. Round and 'round went the Indian in an ever-narrowing circle, his dance now changed iito a swift run, his chant a- series of exultant yells. Suddenly, without seeming to pause an instant, we saw the flash of sun on steel as the knife turned in his hand, his long, sinewy, copper-coloured body shot down and forward, there was a fearful snort of rage and pain from the bear as the knife was buried in bis paunch, but Pablo was continuing his dance, the knife, not glittering now, still poised in his hand. The thrust and recovery had been so quick that the eye could scarcely follow it, but we had seen a shaggy, f orepaw make a sweeping blow that would have ended the light had it landed on Pablo's head. The next thrust we noted Pablo's tactics. In his dance he made a feint as if to reverse and thrust to the right, the bear guarded there, but without pausing in his awing Pablo whirled and struck to the left with the same result, and the circling dance was resumed. Again came the feint and reverse, but it was either too quick or from experience the bear did not guard to the right, but a great hairy paw shot out with terrible force, landing on Pablo's left shoulder, and heels over head he went fully fifteen feet away. "No, no, eenors, do not shoot," he shouted, as he leaped to his feet just in time to sidestep the charge of his enemy. The bear reared again, the long shaggy hair on its paunch now matted with blood, and the circling tactics were renewed. Pablo was not chanting now, his left arm hung at his side, instead of guarding in front of him, and his step was slower. Narrowing the circle dangerously near the sweep of those forepaws, but always with the bandaged shoulder and arm to the bear, Pablo continued the attacK. Suddenly he paused, ateoped, made a vicious swing with hi* knife, which went home under the left shoulder oi the bear, and as the huge paws met around his back Pablo braced himself to meet the last convulsive embrace. The great paws tore red furrows in the knotted muscles of that nakerl back, the blood gushed in streams, and '/he red' jaws closed over the blanketed md broken shoulder, but Pablo nevei fielded an inch; once fairly within that embrace and he would have been crush - j I , into a lifeless mass. For a moment, it ecemed an hour, they stood; then the U«vs relaxed, the bear's head and shoul-

dors swayed, his paws slipped from theit hold, and the Indian stepped back as the huge beast crashed to the ground. Pablo turned to us with something between a smile and a grimace, but there was priie in his tone and bearing as he quiet Iv &aid : "El oso is dead, senors, and Pablo, of San Ysidro, is yet living."— E. E. Bowles, in the Pittsburg Leader.