“We hear ’bout Devil-Bear and pickshers nail on all signboard for reward. Big scar in rump, big lump on haid—him got ’em,” Tally replied.
“Um! Dis scar make by rancher. One day he chop wood and fine sheep-dog play round. Devil-Bear steal out of woods, catch dog unner man’s nose, and run away. Rancher so mad he frow axe at bear, an’ it hit right there,” explained Omney, poking his foot at the scar on the bear.
“Rancher say dat bear neveh walk gin, but nex’ year nudder rancher see bear kill calf an’ many lamb and run away,” added Tally.
“Then I’m glad you shot him!” declared Betty, glaring at the dead beast.
“But you’ve got to get him back to camp, boys, to get the reward,” said Mrs. Vernon.
The two Indians considered this the least of their problems, and when they had tied the forelegs and the hindlegs together, they swung the heavy animal from a long pole they had cut down from a clump of pine.
That night when Mr. Gilroy heard the story, he assured the scouts that the guides had really done a great service to the country at large, as this bear had terrorized every one in the mountain ranches.
“As a rule, grizzlies are not ferocious except when interfered with. They use their fine intelligence to keep man at a safe distance with their roaring and display of fierce strength. But this rascal was the exception, and it’s well he is dead,” added he.
“If the guides get the reward, the scouts ought to have the pelt,” suggested Mr. Vernon.
“I’ll see to it that they do,” returned Mr. Gilroy.