The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-03-20


first looked to the bank, to witness the
effect of my shot. To my great surprise the
eyes were still there, cleaning from the
bushes ms brightly az ever.
Had missed my aim? II is true the voice
of my companion had somewhat disconnected
me; but still believed that my bullet must
have sped truly, as it had been delivered
with a good aim.
As turned to Dick for an explanation, q
new sound fell upon nay ear that explained
all, at the same time causing me no slight
feeling of alarm. 1t was n sound not unlike
that sometimes uttered by terrified swine,
but louder and more threatening. | knew
it WE'LL knew it was the snort Of grizzlv
bear
OF all American animals, the grizzly bear
rs the most to be dreaded Armed or un-
armed, man is no match for him, and even
the courageous hunter of these parts shuns
the encounter This was why my companion
admonished me not to fire. thought | had
missed it; it was not SO. My bullet had hit
and stung the fierce brute to madness, and
quick cracking among the bushes, soon fol-
lowed by heavy plunge, and the bear was
in the water.
"Good heav en-, he's after us I" cried Dick
IN alarm, at the same time propelling the dug
out with oil his might.
II proved true enough that the bear was
after us, and the 6rst plunge had brought
his nose almost up TO the side of the canoe.
However a few well directed strokes Of the
paddle set US in quick motion, and we we're
rapidly gliding down the stream, followed BY
the enraged bear, that occasionally uttered
fierce snorts.
What rendered our situation terrible one,
was that we could not see the bear, nor tell
how far he was from US. All the rear Of the
entire canoe was of pitchy darkness, in con-
sequence of the screen Of birch bark. No
object could be distinguished in that direc-
ton, and it was only by hearing him that we
could tell he was still some Yards of. The
snorts, however, were more or less distinct.
as heard amid the varying roar of the water
fall and sometimes they seemed as If the
snout from which they proceeded was close
to our stern.
We knew that If he once laid his paw upon
the canoe. we would either be sunk or com
PEELED to leap out and swim for it.. We knew,
moreover, that such an event would be GER
tain death to one of US.
need hardly affirm that my companion
used his paddle with all the energy of des-
pair. assisted him all could with the but
end of my gun, which was now empty. On
account of the hurry and darkness had not
reloaded il.
We had shot down the stream for a hum
dred Yards or SO, and were congratulating
ourselves on the prospect of an escape from
the bear, when a new object Of dread pre-
scented itself 10 our terrified imaginations.
This object was the sound of falling water,
but not, as before, coming from some tribu-
tary stream. No. Ii was the fall Of the
river upon which we were floating, and we
were evidently but very short distance
above it.
We were, in fact, within less than a hum
dred yards of il. Our excitement in conse-
quence of being pursued by the bear, as well
rs the fact that the sough of the cascade
above still filed our ears, had prevented US
from perceiyng this new danger until very
near it.
A shout of terror and warning from Dick,
seemed the echo of one | had myself ut
tered. Both of us understood the peril Of
our situation, and both, without speaking
another word, set about attempting TO stop
the boat.
We padded with all our strength---he with
the oar, while used the fiat butt OF my rife.
We had succeeded in bringing her to sort
OF equilibrium, and were IN hopes of being
able TO force her towards the bank, when all
al once we heard a heavy object strike
against the stern. AT the same moment the
bow rose up into the air, and O number of
the burning pine knots fell back into the
canoe. They still continued TO blaze; and
their light now falling towards the stern,
showed us fearful object. The bear had
seized hold of the dug out, and his fierce
head and long curving claws were visible
over the edge.
Our peril was now extreme. We knew it.
and the knowledge half paralyzed us.
Both of ns started up, and for some mo-
mcnts half sat, half crouched, uncertain
how to act. Should we use the paddles, and
get the canoe ashore, it would only be to
throw ourselves into the Jaws of the bear.
On the other hand, we could not remain ~
We were, for in few seconds we would be
drifted over the falls and how high these
them; they might be fifty feet--they might
doubt, TO precipitate US into eternity.
The prospect was appalling, and on
thoughts ran rapidly. Quick action was re-
CURED. | could think Of no other than to
lean sternward, and strike at the bear with
my dubbed rife, at the same time calling
upon my companion to paddle for the shore.
We preferred, under all circumstances, risk
ing the chances of land encounter with our
grizzly antagonist.
had succeeded in keeping the bear out OF
the canoe by several well planted blows up
on the snout; and Dick WAS equally success
full in forcing the dng-o nearer the bank,
when sharp crack reached my ears, follow
ed by q terrified cry from my Communion.
glanced suddenly round, to ascertain the
caus Of these demonstrations. Dick held in
his hands a short, round stick, which rec
ognzed as the shaft of the paddle. The
blade had snapped of, and was floating away
on the surface!
We were now helpless. The manege Of
the canoe was no longer possible. Over the
falls she must go
We thanrht Of laarinr ont hut II toe