"Better Than Nothing"
24x28 Oil on Panel
SOLD

     It is 1916 Montana, and our hunting party has set up camp along the Gallatin River. The sun is setting slowly and the fire has been lit for the evening meal. The hunters have cleaned and put up their rifles in the tents, except for Chas, who’s been cleaning his new Hopkins & Allen "Forehand" 12 gauge double barrel shotgun, which he has taken along to do a little bird shooting for food between hunts. Their conversations turn to plans for big game in the morning. "Old Jack" is distracted when he sees what he thinks is a standing grizzly, silhouetted by the setting sun. Peering into the still bright light, he motions to Chas, who instinctively grabs his shotgun and gets ready to load it – "better than nothing", he thinks. Their two companions, deep in conversation, are oblivious to the mysterious intruder, but will soon be very aware of the danger thrust upon them.
     It is more than likely that one of the hunters will run to get a suitable rifle should the situation get more serious. But is it, indeed, a bear?