The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-11-09

on nkeWlBe, Wnen, OF necessity, he rolls
backward, and remains mt the mercy of
the hunters. Such is the usual course
of events in affairs of this sort bat, un-
happily for myself and my companions,
the bear, whose growlings caused 80
much alarm, pursued an exceptional
course-so we afterward learned for
some reason or other, he did not choose
to ascend the tree, but beat hasty re-
treat, with host of villagers mt his
heels. He succeeded in getting, clear
off. His lurking place was at length
discovered, and a party of gentlemen,
mounted on their chargers, and
armed with spears, sailed forth to hunt
and run him down. Let me now
continue the thread of my narrative.
Mr.. Nettlefold's speech caused us the
greatest alarm the sisters screamed
simultaneously; Marcus clasped his
knotted stick, and our English friend
stood irresolute, evidently at a loss how
to act in the sudden and unlooked-for
emergency. 1t was a moment of peril.
/ succeeded, however, in recovering my
presence of mind, and seized upon the
only means in our unprotected and
blockaded state to give us few mo-
ments' respite. I took Agats straw hat
out of her hand, and Immediately set fire
to it, and threw it blazing into the hole
The shaggy brute was hardly a dozen
PAGES from the opening, and bounded
back, frightened, into the passage, with
loud growing. You may imagine our
fears and anxiety at this time. For brief
period we had succeeded in soaring
the enemy. knew well enough the
dread all wild animals have of fire, and,
therefore, upon the impulse of the mo-
ment, snatched whatever combustible
material we possessed. Karines hat,
my handkerchief. together with all my
sketches, were soon ignited, and they
blazed away brightly. The growlings
became more and more distant. Marcus
and myself stood close to the opening in
the rocks, and further back was Mr.. Net
tlefold, in charge of the two sisters. The
fire had saved us for the time, but we
had now to think of our future safety,
and it was difficult to determine what
was to be our next device. Marcus and
our English friend broke off the blocks
of stone, and placed them one upon the
other to close the entrance. This done,
we became little more composed, and
had tune to think of plan for our safe
ty. The fire went out, and, to our hor-
ror, the growlings became nearer again.
Agat screamed and chung to her sister.
We snatched hold of another piece of
rock, but, as Mr.. Nettlefold looked into
a peighboring dark abyss on the left, in
order to see whether there was a posi-
bility of the beast finding its way to us,
we were almost paralyzed with terror on
hearing the growing of the bear in that
direction" -rI Il r-
A thrill of horror escaped from me at
this part of the narrative.
"Ah !" he observed, in low tone,
=" it is impossible, my friend, for me to
give you anything like an adequate de-
scription of the agony and despair of
these moments. / hope you may never
experience such trial. )"
"And what was the result?" I ex-
claimed, in feverish impotence.
"You shall hear" answered Halter.
owe found it impossible to remain
longer where we were. This we all
agreed upon, and came, therefore, to the
unanimous conclusion that something
must be resolved upon speedily. Inthe
mean time, suggested that all the
torches save one SHOULD be extinguished,
for economy In this was of vital import
ance. When this had been done, we
began to consult together. Mr.. Nettle-
fold proposed rushing through the cav
ern with fire-brand, and so drive the
bear before us. If by this means we
succeeded in gaining our liberty, and
were afterward compelled to give battle
to the shaggy brute, it would be better
to do so in the open daylight.
"'The idea is not bad one, observed
Marcus, shut what if the bear should
remain concealed in one of the side
caves, and, while we were threading our
way through the narrow pass, fall upon
the last :? How them?
GA truce to imaginary fears, cried
Mr.. Nettlefold; the real ones are bad
enough, heaven knows. Listen. There
is an old tradition that beyond the pond
a passage in the cavern is to be found,
which leads into the heart of a wood.
have heard this from / know not how
many villagers, and doubtless you do
not forget that current of air came on
our torches from the second opening. If
this supposition turns out to be correct,
which L do not for moment doubt but
what it will, escape is almost certain.
Let us seek for this passage and go
boldly through it, whilst we still have
light
81 was unwilling to let our fate de.
pend upon an uncertain road; the more
so since, if our torches became extin-
guished, return would be impossible,
and expressed myself to this effect.
Let us draw lots, then, said Mar
Gus, to determine which of us men shall
remain behind. Whichever of us gets
out will bring him help
"We agreed to the proposal made by
my fellow-student- lot fell upon me.
Poor Karine sank down with cry of an
guish.
Marcus gave some biscuits and a
glass of wine to each of his sisters, and,
with heavy hearts, they then all took
leave of me. / vainly stroye to inspire
them with confidence. They
had soon advanced some dis
lance, and miserable sense of
loneliness and despair crept over me, as
listened TO the sound of their footateps