The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-05-04

the pocket empty! 1t was in vain to
turn about, or whistle, or search! The
fact of my loss looked me fairly in the face
l would rather have met dozen bears
than returned without the lost treasure
had ranged the wood pretty thoroughly
and carelessly that afternoon and might
have lost the watch in any of hundred
different places. l began to be fright
ened. But boy of fifteen was almost a
man in those days, and my courage did
not desert me when had need of it. The
more l thought of my loss the more de-
termined became to kill the bear if good
luck and pluck would do it. If should
succeed in this Though it began to look
larger as l came nearer the brook), the
loss of my watch would not be so great
l expected to find Bruin still at his search
for nuts. l remember the half dread
and half hope that made my eyes sharp
and my heart beat strangely as l came
in sight of the brook.
''Almost before | was aware Of it l
came to the great oak under whose shade
had taken my nap an hour before. l
stopped there, and as / was looking
sharply at the other bank of the brook,
heard the dry leaves rustic close by.
The sound came from the other side of
the tree by which was standing, and a
single step, taken very cautiously, brought
me face to face with the bear! was so
near that l could hardly help stepping
back. But strange as it seems, had ad-
vanced so quietly and stood still so long
that Sir Bruin did not appear to have
heard me. l was almost surprised at the
steadiness of my nerves. However, l
took care to select good, tall maple not
far behind me and not large enough for
the bear to follow in case l should miss
him. You may be sure that had my
rife in readiness while stood looking
at the ugly beast, within half rifle shot
"The bear seemed to me tn act strangely.
He would sit back on his launches for a
moment, and then creep up and smell at
something in the dead leaves, much as a
cat with half dead mouse. AS l
watched him, he put out his huge paw
just like great clumsy cat, and all of a
sudden saw, lying there in the leaves
my watch! He had found my watch
and kept by it like watchdog! 1t was
plainly mystery to him. He would
smell of it, start back, tumble it over
with his great clumsy paws and then set
upon his launches, evidently puzzling
his shaggy head about what it could be.
Some motion of mine caught his atten
ton and he forgot the watch. If be was
puzzled before, he was now stupeted.
He had evidently blundered into land
of surprises. He shook his head stupidity
and began to retreat, half sliding, half
backing up the side of the hill. This
gave me a splendid chance and l took
good aim behind the fore shoulder and
fired. Then dropped the rifle and ran
for my tree. The bear followed. When
had got half way to the top, looked
down. The bear lay in heap some
distance below, near the brook. He had
rolled down there and was dead! l
went very cautiously to work to make
sure that he was not playing possum,
then picked up my rifle and watch and
started for home.
II was never so happy in my life.
When l entered the door of the big
kitchen, l tried to look as if nothing
had happened. | think | did not sue
coed. Mother held up both hands in
despair at seeing me with rifle on Sun
day. But father was too much hunter
to ask many questions and we were soon
at the place of my adventure. Before
nigh: we had the bear in the woodshed.
l was so proud and happy that l could
not keep my dignity, and affected uncon-
Germ for very long. That fall l was al
lowed to go with the men when there was
to be bear hunt.
THAT night mother said nothing about
the watch, and when went to bed, /
found the bead case in which it was al
ways kept during the week, hung on the
wall near my bed. After that carried
it with me every day, but took Gre to
prevent its falling out of my picket
again. And that is how killed my first
ar."-Uncle Joe, in Portland Transcript.
A LAND WITHOUT A MnL.-It is
somewhat curious fact that in the whole