The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-11-04
The Daily Atgns.
Continued from second page. J

conducted Stepan about hundred steps to
buck tree and returned toward me in an
obliqae direction, little to the left
When he had taken his position noticed
that we were upon the same plane, sepa-
rated by the hives only. Stepan occupied
the summit of the sharp angle whose
sides ended at our station. | witnessed
this with astonishment. | also observed
that Stepan was in the direction of the
wind, an extremely perilous position for
the hunter. L remarked upon this TO
Fedor. He calmly explained that the bear
usually followed along the edge OF the rock !;
that he would go direct to the hives. and il
my shot or his failed. he would very Ger
tainly retreat in the direction Of the forest,
| thus presenting himself to Stepan who
would cut off his retreat A half hour
passed, and then an hour. l became too
cold to remain thus motionless, and |
moved.
Patience, Batko," whispered Fedor.
Soon he leaped to my side, Look" he
whispered. | followed his glance. A bear
was moving right toward Stepan. He
came from the opposite direction to that
form which | expected him-from that
which Fedor had indicated to me.
Suddenly he stopped, raised his head
snuffed the air, and again took up his
march, uttering little grunts. From time
to time he Opened his jaws, showing a
small arsenal of teeth. and breathing
noisily, like cat quarrelling with dog,
| inspected alternately Stepan, the bear
and my weapons The bear was no more
than six or seven meters from Stepan.
The attitude of the peasant seemed to be
admirable; he had not yet even raised his
rifle
He will kill the bear close to the
muzzle," | said IN low voice to FeGor
The bear advanced few steps, then,
with horrible growl, raised himself upon
his hlnd feet My double barrelled gun
was levelled in the twinkliEg of an eye: |
was about to fire. since fear, evidently, had
paralyzed the imbecile Stepar, but a
hand of iron bound my arm.
Peace, Batko, peace said Fedor
with an accent which chilled me.
A sudden suspicion flashed through my
mind. [ comprehended it all. Everything
had been premeditated skilfully, and al
length prepared: the bear was accustomed
to find honey in the birch-tree; he founc
to day another kind of dish, served by the
vengeance of a neighbOr and friend
There then occurred frightful scene
! With bound the bear was upon Stepan;
he placed one heavy paw upon the shout
l der of the unfortunate man; with the 9th
er he tore the flesh from his face, ther
Rugged him in a close embrace, and rollet
upon him. | looked ON pOwerless in
state Of stupor, benumbed like one who ha
taken chloroform, where every feeling o
: horror is annihilated, although having
entire consciousness of everything passing
A shot resounded and restored me t
; myself. The bear rolled over a few fee
from his victim. Fedor, running to tn
beast said:
Il shall get nearly ten forms for this fur
. and with a government premium that Wi
make a windfall.
without counting the death @
Stepan," | added.
He looked at me; Eideous exultatior
the legitimate transport of a wron
avenged, sparkled his eye.
The Carpathians were obscured; a
about the shadows heightened, faded out
Lonba wept. | depart Tomorrow. y.