Grizzly Fury

“I’m fond of breathing,” Fargo said. The smell of the smoke was strong. So was another smell that was becoming all too familiar.

The fire was down to charred wood and glowing embers. Beside it lay a coffeepot on its side and an overturned frying pan. Packs had been torn open and the contents strewn about. A sack of flour had burst, spraying flour over what was left of a man who lay sprawled facedown. His clothes were in shreds but enough remained to show he had been wearing overalls with suspenders.

“It’s one of those would-be bear hunters,” Rooster said. “I can’t recollect his name but he makes his living as a store clerk.”

Part of the clerk’s head was missing. Gore oozed from the empty skull.

“Brain Eater,” Rooster said.

Fargo thought he was referring to the dead man’s head.

Then a gigantic shape lumbered out of the woods and growled.

16

“Shoot her!” Rooster cried, snapping his Sharps to his shoulder.

“No!” Fargo said. “Not yet!” He hoped the grizzly would rise onto her rear legs and give them a better shot at her vitals.

Rooster didn’t heed. His rifle boomed. Blood sprayed from the she-bear’s head and she recoiled. But the slug had only grazed her. Opening her maw, she let out with a tremendous roar.

“Ride!” Fargo bawled.

Rooster hauled on his reins but his horse had only begun to turn when Brain Eater slammed into it with the impact of an avalanche. The horse squealed and crashed down. Rooster tried to shove clear but his leg was pinned. He pushed at the saddle as his horse, kicking wildly, sought to rise.

Fargo raised his rifle. He didn’t have much of a shot; the grizzly’s flank was to him.

Brain Eater sank her teeth in the horse’s neck. The horse shrieked, and there was a crunch. With a powerful wrench Brain Eater tore the stricken animal’s throat out and swallowed a chunk of flesh.

Rooster was still frantically trying to free himself.

“Lie still!” Fargo shouted. The bear might ignore him if Rooster pretended to be dead.

Instead, Rooster groped in his pocket. He found a new cartridge and fumbled at inserting it. He wasn’t looking at the grizzly.

Fargo fired just as Brain Eater’s mouth closed on Rooster’s head. Rooster screamed and tried to pull away. His eyes fixed on Fargo in terrified appeal, and then there was another, louder, crunch as Brain Eater ripped the top of his head off.

Transfixed, Fargo saw the grizzly stick her snout into the hole in Rooster’s head, and slurp. Rooster’s brain oozed out and she gobbled it down in quick gulps. Then she stepped back and turned—toward the Ovaro.

Self-preservation broke Fargo’s spell. Rooster was gone and if he stayed and made a fight of it, he was as good as gone, too.

Brain Eater exploded into motion.

Fargo fled. The stallion galloped toward the far end of the valley with the giant grizzly pounding in pursuit. Teeth gnashed; the bear was biting at the Ovaro’s tail. Fargo twisted and fired at the grizzly’s broad skull. He hit it, too, because a scarlet furrow blossomed. His slug, like Rooster’s, failed to penetrate.

But Brain Eater did slow and shake her head as if she were trying to clear it.

Fargo galloped on. When he glanced over his shoulder the grizzly had stopped. He didn’t. Not until he was in the trees.

Brain Eater was tearing at the dead horse. She ignored Rooster. Apparently the only part of a human she liked to eat were the brains.

Fargo stared at his friend, thinking of former times. “Damn.” Yet another he had lost. At the rate things were going, by the time he reached old age he wouldn’t have any friends left.

He had a decision to make. He could tuck tail and ride off, leaving the grizzly free to go on killing, or he could try to stop the slaughter once and for all.

Dismounting, Fargo tied off the reins. He could get closer on foot than on horseback. He reloaded and stalked along the tree line toward the bear. She was so intent on her feast, she’d forgotten about him.

Fargo moved from cover to cover with the speed of molasses. Any faster, and the movement might give him away.

Brain Eater was standing side-on. Fargo had a good shot if he could get close enough.

The grizzly gnawed at an eye socket. She seemed to like eyes as much as she liked brains.

Fargo raised his Sharps but didn’t shoot. Not yet. He needed to be certain. He skirted a small blue spruce and stopped dead.

Brain Eater was staring in his direction.

Fargo broke out in a sweat. Had she or hadn’t she seen him? He was too far from the Ovaro to reach it if she came after him.

Brain Eater resumed feeding. But something in the way she stood warned Fargo that she was suspicious and was keeping her eye on his vicinity. He took a step and she raised her head.

Fargo froze.

The grizzly raised her muzzle and sniffed. Shifting, she resumed filling her stomach.

Fargo flattened. She couldn’t see him now so it was safe to move faster. Or so he thought until he heard a growl and raised his head high enough to see over the grass.