Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1876-03-17
kNCHO2ING A BEAR.
BY ROGER STARBUCK.

Vic CidI HloIuHS III culy LuC AlS lSi
sloop-of war Dover was passing within
tguc Of a certain part of the Arcti,
coast, upon which were a number of brok
en- down log huts, evidently the remains
Of an old Datch whaling station.
I lie c;l tain, backing his main yard
lowered his cutter to take look at til,
place.
His daughter Bertha, beautiful girl
who bad accompanied her father for til.
voyage. was. at her request, permitted Il
90 with him.
His first lieutenant. william Grayson
to whom Eer.ha was engaged, made one
of h parry.
| The cutter soon reached. the shore.
Willie the captain and his lieutenant
1.-The latter with his baro:hei leaning or
his arm-wcrc wa king abort the station
they noticed that the officer left i'll charge
of the ship was to clos ly ''hucging' q
field Of ice between him and tn land.
''Confound i.'' said the captain, angri-
lly. Hell Eav, the craair fast in the ice
Il must go and see to it. You. Grayson
can rem .in here with Bertha, until come
back -
Don't be gone long, papa s.id The
ycung girl.
ooh. no; it is only nile to tie snip
i will socn be back"
A few minutes later, away went thu
boat with its occupant. while The lieuten
ant and Bertha remained ashore.
Scarcely had The cl,:rr touched The
sloop's side, when sudden terrific gale
pounced on the vessel, driving her 4 ad
before it, far away from the vicinity Of tht
station.
The craft, in such blow, could not bt
brought round; nor could any boat te
headed for the land against the wind and
sea now raging.
As consequence, the girl and her com
Ipanion were left there on that wild Arctic
coast, while the ship. recening further
Iand further from them every moment. a
length faded from their sight in the rack
and mist,
"Do not be afraid" said Grayson to lii
trembling companion, ciEging to him
l''As soon as the gale subsidies, the shiI
will return for US"
He found shelter tor her in one Of thu
huts, and, in spite of her remOnstrances
put his own cloak about her to keep he:
warm.
The gale ragged all day long.
AS night approached the lieutenant con
Itrlved to kindle fire with some wood ht
found. and which he lighted with matches
taken from box in his pocket.
Hours passed, and 1t last. with hel
head on her lovers breast, the girl fel
aslecp.
At dawn Grayson, who had remained
aw Ike all night, saw her eyes open.
"Oh, William!" she cried, lis the gall
over ye,?'
"Yes," was his reply. ''And l can se'
the ship far in the distance. She is com
ing this way, under full sail. but the tids
us running strong against her, and sh'
VIII not arrive lOI many nouIS.
| "Hark! What noise is that!'
A barking sound, and now and then
growl, wele heard 10 the distance.
| They are wolves and bears" answered
Grayson. quietly, while he regretted tina
he had brought no arms with him. "Bu
fear not; I can keep them off, if thel
come here, with the fire.
mo. mol" gasped Bertha; II would no
trust to that. Is there no way we ca
Il leave this coast AMI 90 to meet the ship!
The young msn rose and looked aLou
HIM.
Along side the beach he beheld an OF
but strong raft, which had evldentI.
been used by the Dutch whalers to carr.
heavy goods.
Attached to the raft there was rust.
chain, one eni of which, fastened to
heavy stone on the beach. kept the float
ing platform from drifting away.
Grayson led Bertha to the raft; helpe'
her upon it; then. standing on the edge
he succeeded by . great effort of strength
ia drawing the stone upon the rough sup
port Of logs.
Tue chain was long one, and be re