The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-12-02
The Bear ana the Horse.

ne Dear was Slowly craving out OF
the ravine, and when first saw him wa
dragging his huge body over the escarps
ment Of the cliff. In moment he stood
erect upon the open plain. was filed
With q new CONSERVATION, saw too sure
ly that he was about to attack my horse
The latter had already observed the
bears approach, and seemed to be fully
aware Of his danger. had staked him at
the distance OF four hundred yards from
the barrsnca, and upon assoc twenty
feet in length. At the sight Of the bear,
he had run out TO the end of the trail
rope. and was snorting and plunging with
alright
This new dilemma arrested my steps,
and stood with anxious feeling TO watch
the result. l had no hope of being able
to yield the slightest aid to my poor horse
at least, none occurred to ne at that
moment
The bear made directly towards him,
and my heart throbbed wildly as beheld
the fierce monster almost within clawinc
distance. The horse sprang round, low
ever, and galloped upon circle of which
the lasso was the radius. knew, from
the hard jerks he had already given 10
the rope, that there was no chance of its
yielding and seeing him free No. it was
raw hide lasso of the toughest thong |
knew its power, and | remembered how
firmly had driven home the picket-pin.
This now had cause TO regret. Whist
would not have given TO have drawn the
blade Of my knife across that rope /?
continued to watch the struggle with
a painful feeling Of suspense. The horse
still kept out Of reach by galloping around
the circumference Of the circle, while the
bear made his attacks by crossing its
cords, running in circles OF less dia4 eier
The whole scene bore resemblance 10 an
act at the Hippodrome. the bear taking
the part OF the ring-master.
Once or twice, the rope. circling round
and quite taut, caught upon the legs of
the bear, and after carrying him along
with it for some distance flung him over
on his back This seemed to add to his
rage. and after rising each time he ran for
the h"rse with redoublcd fury might
have been amused al the singular spec a
Gle, but my u.iuI was too painfully agi,a-
ted abou, the result.
The scene continued for some minutes
without much change 10 the relative posi-
tion OF the actors. | began to hope that
the bear might be bstfled. after all, and
finding the horse too nimble for him,
would give over his attempts, particularly
a. noticed the latter administer several
kicks that might have discounted any
other assaiiant, but these only rendered
the bear more savage and revengeful.
Just at this moment the scene assumed
new phase likely to bring about the de-.
noument. The rope had once pressed
against the bear; but this time. instead of
trying to avoid it, he seized it IN his teeth
and paws. l thought he was going t cut
it, and this was exactly what wished for;
but no-to my CONSERVATION. saw that
he was crawling along il by constantly
renewing his hold, and thus gradually
and surely crawling nearer to his victim.
The horse now screamed with terror.
/ could bear it no longer. remcm-
bered that had left my rife near the
edge Of the barranca. ran forward to
the cliff. and dashed madly down its face;
| climbed the opposite steep, and clutch
ing the gun. rushed toward the scene of
strife. was still in time; the bear had
not yet reached his victim, though now
ITithin six feet Of him. advanced with.
IN ten PAGES, and fired AS though my
shot had cut the thong, it gave way at
the moment and the horse, with wild
neigh, sprang of into the prairie.
hit the bear % afterwards ascertained,
but not in vital part, and my bullet had
no more effect than if it had been drop
Of snipe shot. 1t was the strength OF
dispair that had broken the rope and set
the atsed free.
1t was my turn now; for the bear. as
aeon as he perceived that the horse had
escaped him. rushed forward upon me ii !
tcring loud cry. / had no choice but
fight. | had no time to reload. Istruck
the brute once with my dubbed rife, and.
6inging the gun away, grasped the reader
knife. With the strong. keen blade-the
knife was bowie struck out before
me but the next moment | felt myself
fgrappled and held fast. The sharp claws
tore up my flesh, one claw was griped
over my hips, another rested on my
shoulder, while the white teeth cleaned
before my eyes. Ny knifs-arm was free
II had watched this when graphing, and
all the energy Of despair. | plunged the
keen blade between the ribs Of my an
tagonist. The struggle was soon over
Tho bear gradually released his hold and
fell ifeless BY my side.-[Wayhc Reid's
"War Trail"
! - Advertising for wife is As alb