This is a special encore presentation of our three-part series on Lewis and Clark and their 1804

expedition to explore the west hoping to find a route to the Pacific Ocean and change the map of North America.

Imagine it's May 1805 on the bank of the Missouri River somewhere deep in the

uncharted northwestern corner of Louisiana territory. You're a private with Lewis and Clark's core of discovery.

With you are five other men from the expedition, and you've all ventured away from the

main party to hunt. The six of you are now crouched on a small hill dotted with pine trees.

Lying in the grass below, just 40 paces away, is your prey, a large brown grizzly bear,

and so far it hasn't noticed you creeping in on it.

One of your fellow hunters whispers to you.

I thought the Mandan Indians were telling tales about these beasts but that is the biggest bear I've ever seen. He's big, but we'll make short

work of him. All right, now take game. You raise your rifle, the three hunters to your

right do the same. The other two hold back, ready to fire if the first attack fails.

You aim for the beast's torso, hoping to hit its lungs or heart.

All right. Fire. You pull the trigger. Three more shots following quick

succession. All four bullets hit the bear. Good shot. You expect the wounded bear to roll over and die, but instead it rears up and lets out a terrifying

roar.

It's as if your bullets have only made it angry.

Instinctively, you back away.

Bear sees you and charges, eyes blazing and jaws wide open.

The reserve hunters fire their two rifles. One bullet slams into the

beast's shoulder stopping the bear for a moment, but then it charges again.

Everybody run, run! You and the others scatter.

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