A number of cattle had been trampled to death in the stampede, and the
bodies lay within a few miles of the mountains. It was inevitable that
bears would come out to eat the carcasses. On the night of the day of
terrifying memory no one felt equal to the exertion of another ten mile
ride and the subsequent battle with a possible herd of bears. But at
eight o'clock on the following night Don Tiburcio, Padre Osuna, the
boys, some ten of the caballeros, and as many vaqueros mounted and rode
forth for a good night's sport. The moon was thin and low. As they
approached the spot where the first of the wild band had succumbed to
fatigue they saw a dark object moving beside the carcass. The approach
was stealthy, but the bear suddenly raised his head. In a second five or
six lassos had sprung through the air. One caught the bear--a brown bear
of moderate size--about the neck, another about a hind leg. The brute
drew his legs together like a bucking horse and leaped into the air,
then plunged toward his tormentors; but those that had him in lasso
galloped in different directions, and poor bruin was quickly strained
and strangled to death.
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