Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-02-15

II know. DC Sdlu, II littIo iuuiai
p somewhat bigger than me. who sits al
: day on en- old stump. and fishes in spruce
e creek. He'll do to begin on. Failing tc
! report at the hut at the usual time, with
4 fish for supper, the old Indian will come
t to see what's the matter; and that'Il be
! chance No. g"
t Creeping stealthily through the spruce
T and hemlock trees that fringed the creek,
| Foster soon discovered his victim in his
, accustomed place. The target was sufi-
J ciently conspicuous. so far as hitting it
was concerned; but the tall would not be
great enough to satisfy Fosters ambition.
So, resting one end of dead. dry limb
on fallen tree, he jumped suddenly up
on it, the noise of its breaking rang
through the forest. The Indian sprang
suddenly to his feet, and looked in the
direction whence the noise proceeded,
perhaps expecting the approach OF bear
on the way 10 the creek, 10 slake its thirst.
The next moment the sharp crack OF the
rifle was heard, aud the Indian fell back
ward into the creek, and disappeared
beneath its dark and turbid waters. Re-
loading his rifle, and retracing his steps.
Foster proceeded down the creek 10 the
sawmill, about o mile distant, for the
purpose of crossing the stream on the
milldam, and awaiting upon the other
side the appearance of the "old Indian
upon the scene of the young ones disap-
pearance.
Hunting to-day, are you ?" said Mr..
Luther, who met Foster at the mill.
"Yes; looking around little. Seen
any game down this way, Mr.. Luther ?"
"Not to-day; but a very large bear
swan the pond yesterday, and my rifle
was at the house. Find anything above?
| heard you shoot
Game is scarce on this side, Mr.
Luther, and l thought I'll try 'tother
side. Shot something up there, but it
fell 10 ,be creek and sunk; but don't
care much; guess twasnt good to eat"
Foster had gone for short distance on
the other side when he was suddenly
confronted by black bear of tremendous
proportions, aud evidently looking Tor bis
dinner. Retreat was impossible; and no
tree suitable for climbing was ut hand.
Old Bruin deliberately seated himself
upon lis launches, and. extending his
arms in the most affectiOnate manner,
invited an embrace. Luther was still
within call, or would be iu q moment,
when the gate was shut down for manip
ulating the log on the track; but Foster
was ashamed when only one enemy was
10 be contended with and so for several
minutes he closely watched the bear, and
the bear returned the compliment; but
neither of them appeared anxious to begin
the fray. This kind of waiting for the
show" however. became monotonOus
after while, and Foster determined upon
more active operations. Placing his
large sheath. knife where it would be con-
vepiently near in case of necessity, he
leveled his rifle and fired. The aim was
accurate, and the leaden messenger was
not long in finding its way to bruins
heart. Still, its weight aud size were
not sufficient TO produce the immediat
effect desired. and rushing at his youthful
antagonist with frightful ferocity, poor
Foster began to think "his time had
come" Seizing his knife, and springng
for the large yellow birch tree near by,
he kept it, rs much as possible, between
himself and the bear, embracing such
opportunities as offered to plunge his
knife into the body of the infuriated Toe
whose hot breath had become sitting
Gradually the bear showed signs Of
: weakening, from the constant loss OF
|, blood; and just as he yielded the contest,
, from sheer lack of strength with which
to continue it, Mr.. Luther appeared upon
the scene, ak in hand, he having heard
the fierce growls OF the bear. and came
: to the rescue of tie youthful hunter.
Here, Mr., Luther" said Foster, ais
some meat for supper. Take it home,
and will board with You WHILE" for,
having no permanent place OF abode,
Foster was "at home" wherever night
; CHANGED TO overtake him.
! Luther procured assistance, and the
! "meat" was properly disposed Of, while
Foster continued his tramp in the dense
forest. Reaching point directly oppo
7 site the "Indian stump" he quietly took
position near the body Of large tree
1 and awaited events. All at once game
became unusually abundant; squirrel!
e were leaping on the tree tops; an occas
2 ional beaver. then mink would make it!
0 appearance at the edge OF the stream
here some 40 yards wide and quite deep
e and even q deer and wolf had come
+ within range Of the rifle; and yet did i
5 "hold its peace" lest the expected
= game" OH the other side should b,
Q frightened away. Late in the afternoon
+ the '.old Indian" made bis appearance
|. sure enough. He looked up and dowl
Y the creek, but could detect no traces O
IS the little Indian. At length. mounting
i" the fatal stump that projected little owe