The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-02-24

remained where it was there could be no
danger; for, as the ice-cake did not drift
along any faster than the raft, the dis
tance between the two floating masses
must continue the same.
But, should the bear swim to the raft,
the lieutenant felt conviced that his COM
panion and himself would fall victims to
the ferOcity of the creature, which; iudg-
ing by the lean appearance of its hanks,
was half famished.
No assistance could be expected from
the ship, which was still a league dis
tant, beating up against wind and cur
rant. 1t would take two hours, at least,
to meet her, and, long before that time,
the bear could, of course, accomplish its
horrid purpose.
ooh, William p gasped the girl, eff
we could only keep it where it is until
the ship reaches us!"
81 can think of no way of doing that"
he replied.
Women are fertile in expedients.
Bertha suddenly remembered that she
bad in her pocket little box, in which
were some pieces of cake, with portion
of which she had fed, on the day before,
a pet bird aboard the ship.
She produced the box, and stood ready
to throw piece of cake to the bear the
moment the animal should seem on the
point Ofswimming for the raft.
Suddenly the animal raised itself as if
to plunge in the water.
Then Bertha threw toward it morsel
of cake which, falling on the ice, diverted
his attention.
1t snapped up the crumb at once, then
again turned toward the water with a
dissatisfied growl.
Bertha tossed it another piece, which
the creature drew into its capacious jaw.
Then it seemed more enraged than
ever, such a small allowance having evil
IDENTIFY proved terrible aggravation.
When the girl threw to it another bit
of the cake it disdained to look at it, but,
with its blOodshot eyes rolling like cir
cles of living fire, and its jaw wide open,
it gave utterance to a loud, sharp snarl,
meanwhile shaking its head vindictively
at the two persons before it.
All at once advancing to the very
edge of the Zee, it made an awkward
plunge into the water and swan
swiftly toward the raft
Now the dreaded time had come !!
There was the huge bear breasting the
waves on its way toward Grayson and
his companion, who had no weapons
with which to oppose it.
owe are lost !" gasped the girl. "Oh,
what shall we do ~
The lieutenant could only respond by
h,Jl nArthn as rfh h.,sa 20 son
ready to sacrifice himself first. In fact
he hoped that, after the animal should
have destroyed him, it would not molest
his companion.
Nearer drew the beast every moment |!
It's ugly eyes cleaning with a baleful
light, were turned full upon Grayson.
Already it was within six feet of the
raft.
There seemed not ray of hope for the
young couple.
Suddenly the lieutenant's glance fell
on the stone with the chain attached,
lying in front of him.
His face lighted up.
A bright idea flashed on his mind. 1t
was one of those thoughts born of desper-
alton.
He quickly took the chain from the
ring to which it had been hooked on the
raft, and made a moose with loose slip
knot on the end of the iron links. Just
as the bear arrived within four feet of
the raft, he threw the moose with un.
erring aim, so that it caught over the
forL-legs and foot back of the head of
the animal, when he quickly drew the
chain taut.
Then, with both hands, he rolled the
heavy stone over into the water.
1t went down quickly, the chain
frightened, and the heavy weight drew
the head and the whole fore part of the
bear under the sea.
, For several minutes horrid gurgling
sound was heard, and many bubbles rose
to the surface, while that part of the
huge beast visible was seen to culver and
roll in fearful spasms as the animal
struggled.
Gradually the struggler became fainter,
the gurgling noise was no longer heard.
There was one, quick jerk, and the bear
was dead. ....'
"We are saved! !" cried the girl, throw
ing herself on her lovers bosom.
LEO, dusWcISu 'NIdy sOI, Cdlully.
But If 1 had thought of thus using that
stone a moment later than l did, Iwould
not have had time to accomplish my
purpose"
An hour after the two were aboard the
ship, and Bertha was in her fathers arms,
relating what had happened on the raft.
The dead bear was finally hoisted on
deck. A skilled old seaman took off the
skin, which was, years after, converted
into comfortable sleighrobe for Grayson
and his pretty wife, Bertha.