His pursuers were even more drunk,
but, bent on mischief, they gave chase, and Faco dodged back of the
house and into the yard. The mountaineers had just wit enough to keep
out of reach of the Grizzly as they searched about for their victim,
but they did not find him. Then they got torches, and making sure that
he was not in the yard, were satisfied that he had fallen into the
river behind the barn and doubtless was drowned. A few rude jokes, and
they returned to the house. As they passed the Grizzly's den their
lanterns awoke in his eyes a glint of fire. In the morning the cook,
beginning his day, heard strange sounds in the yard. They came from
the Grizzly's den: "Hyar, you, lay over dahr," in sleepy tones; then a
deep, querulous grunting.
The cook went as close as he dared and peeped in. Said the same voice
in sleepy tones: "Who are ye crowding, caramba!" and a human elbow was
seen jerking and pounding; and again impatient growling in bear-like
tones was the response.
The sun came up and the astonished loafers found it was the missing
sheep-herder that was in the Bear's den, calmly sleeping off his
debauch in the very cave of death. The men tried to get him out, but
the Grizzly plainly showed that they could do so only over his dead
body. He charged with vindictive fury at any who ventured near, and
when they gave up the attempt he lay down at the door of the den on
guard.
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