Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1876-03-17


and then, caught by.tbe full force Of t
current, it was whirlel along toward Il
ship, then visible about five miles off.
"Oh, how nioe,' exclaimed Berth;
ciappiny her hards.
On went the raft, the two voyagers
high spirits, until they were sadder.l
startled by deep grow. behind them.
Turning. they then beheid white be-
standing on the edge OF a broad c.ke l
ice about fifteen feet distant. and in tll
center Of which rose a fantastic lookin
crystal III IS, having de- p hollow, frol
which it was evident the CT, aturt :had frs
|emcrgtd
The animal was one Of the largest .
its kind, with . thick, shaggy skin. broa
legs and paws, fierce. blood.hot eyes,
wide head, and sharp, hungry look il;
Jaws.
Covered with g'itterirg icicl.s, some o
(which hung down from his heavy brows
and with patches Of Girt and pieces 0
shells and gravel adhering to his body Il,
presented such a wild, iormi able appear
ance that Bertha, shreking with terror
clung closely to her lover as possible.
/ Don't be alarHtd,'' said Graysnn
although he felt uneasy enough as he re-
tlected that ht had not single weapon
of defense with him-not even q pen
knife.
! He watched the bear. which was now
glarlng at him AID his companion, occa
sionail, tossing lis he q, ut,, ring fcroci
Gus growls, and opening and shutting III
Jaws, in Which were its red, fiery tongu,
and long sharp teeth.
| TIL savage beast, however. had as v
shown 10 intention Of leavins It's position
and Graysoa knew that rs long as i, re-
manned where it was there could he nc
danger; for as tie ice-cakc did not drif
a!nrg any faster than the raf'. the distance
bet ween the floating masses must contin
&c the same
But, should the bear swim to the raft
the lieutenant fel. convinced tha, his com
p r on arr, himself would fall victims tt
the terocity Ct th" creature, Which, judg
ing by tie lean appearance OF it, Htnha.
was ia ta:ni>hed.
No assistance could be expected from
the ship, wh;ca was still LEAGUE distanI
b .:inr Up against wind and current.
wou,.; t;..se iwo hours, al leGSt, 70 rect
HI I. ani, long before tEat time. tie Dea'
t.h Il.
!pdrpose.
.'Oh, William.' s,srst The girl. IF W
|could only lc,p il where il is until = {
|ship -csci, Is u.''
Il can think of 10 vay Of doing that. :
lie replied.
Women ere fertile in eypedients. Bertha
|srddenly remembered that che Iiad in her
pock I a little box, in wh'ch were some
pieces olc Gaze. with port,,n OF which ne
had fed, On the day before, pet bird
aboard ,be ship.
She produced the box. and stood ready
Ito throw piece of cake to the bear the
moment the animal should seem OH tht
point of swimming for the raft.
Suddenly the animal raised itself as il
Ito plunge in the wattr.
Then Bertha threw toward 1t morse
of cake which, falling on the ice, diverted
his attention.
Il snapped up the crumb al once, ther
again turned toward the water with dis
Isatisfied growl
Bertha tossed 1t another piece, which The
c,e sture drew into its capsc;ous jaw.
Then itsecmed mere en.aged than ever
such small allowance having evidentl,
proved terrible aggrayation,
When the girl threw 70 it another bit O
the cake !, d,sd,ined t" look ct it, but
with its bloodshot eyes rolling like circle.
Of living tire. and Its jaw wide open, i
gave uttrrance to loud, sharp snarl
meanwhile shaking its head ylndic,iyely
at the two persons before it.
All al once advancing TO the very e'9'
Of the ice, it made an awkward plung
Into the water and swan swiftly towalt
the raft!
Now the dreaded time had come! Their
was the huge bear breasing the wav' $ o.
Its way toward Grayson and his conpan
ion, who had no weapons with which t
oppose it.
I'VE are lost" gaspei tie girl. "Oh
what shall we do.'
The lieutenant could only respond b
holding Bertha on one side Of him, to b
ready to sacrifice imself first. IL fact b
hoped that, after the animal should hav
des royed him, it wonll not molest hi
companion.
Nearer drew the beast every moment
Its ugly eyes cleaning with a baleful llgh
were turned tull upon Grayson.
Already it was within six feet of th
raft.
There seemed not ray of hope for tn
young couple.
i Suddenly the lieutenant's glance fell 0
the stoue with the chain attached, lyin
in front of him.
i His face lighted up.
/ A bright idea flashed on his mind.
was one of those thoughts born of despe
at ion.
/ He quickly took the chain from the rim
IA which il had been hOOket on the raf
and ma de moose with = loose slip-kn,
4 an the end of the iron links. Just IS ii
bear arrived within four feet of the IA {
he threw the moose with unerring aim, 8
THAI it caught over the fore legs and TO
back of the head of the animal, wheh !