The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-11-22

to act III the sudden and unlooked-for
emergency. 1t was a moment of peril
l succeeded, however, in recovering my
presence of mind, and seized upon the
only means, in our unprotected and
biockaded state to give us a few mo-
ments' respite. I took Agat's straw hat
out of her hand, and Immediately set fire
to it, and threw it blazing into the hole
The shaggy brute was hardly 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. I knew well enough the
dread all wild animals have of fire, and,
therefore, upon the impulse of the mo-
ment, snatched whatever comb1stible
material we possessed. Karine's 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 1t was difficult to determine what
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 time to think of plan for our safe
ty. The fire went out, and, to our hor-
ror, the growlihgs 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 neighboring dark abyss on the left, in
order to see whether there was O posei-
biity of the beast finding its way to us,
we were almost paralyzed with terror on
hearing the growing of the bear in that
direction"
A thrill of horror escaped from me at
this part of the narrative
"Ah p he observed, in low TONE
it is impossible, my friend, for me to
give yot, anything like ah adequate de-
scription of the agony and despair of
these moments. I hope you may never
experience such trial
"And what was the result ?" I ex-
claimed, in feverish impatience.
"You shall hear" answered Haller
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. In the
mean time, [ suggested that all the
torches save one should be extinguished,
for economy In this was of vital import
aiice. 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
We're afterward compelled to give battle
to the shaggy brute, it would be better
to do so in the open daylight.
The idea is not a bad one,' observed
Marcas, 'but 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
s''A truce to imaginary fears, cried
Mr.. Nettlefold; sthe 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. I
have heard this from I know not how
many villagers, and doubtless you do
not forget that a current of air came on
our torches from the second opening If
this supposition turns out to be correct,
which [ 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-the 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. I vainly strove to inspire
them with confidence. They
had soon advanced some dis
tance, and miserable sense of
loneliness and despair crept over me, as
1 listened TO the sound OF their footsteps
dying away. 1 remained alone in the
horrible solitude, but frankly confess
that I was too stupefed by the parting
scene to at first realize the horror of my
situation. I was. however, soon reminded
of it, The bear gave another growl, and
returned to the blockaded opening he
raved about in vain, for the pieces of
rock effectually barred his passage. One
hour passed. By my watch, it was 8
o'clock at night For a long time no
sound broke the monotony of my prison
L 11~,o1 &c %o,- ~
regular intervals. / became more COM
posed, and took deep draught from my
wine-fask, stuck my torch on rock,
and, for the first time, moved the stone
from the opening. Then I listened All
was as silent as the grave. I went to the
second opening. Again I heard the
enemy renew his furious growing. Des-
pair gave me superhuman strength. /
replaced the pieces of rock the hideous
monster gave furious growl, rubbed its
nose against the chink, and glared at me
with its furious eyes, and vainly strove
to remove the stones. He then rushed
back and snorted. It suddenly occurred
to me that the bear was being pursued by
band of hunters. Presently heard the
clatter of falling pieces cf rock In the dis
tance, and the bear was growing so furi-
ously from a side abyss that my knees
knocked together with fright. gave my
self up for lost. My situation at this time
was perfectly narrowing. The beast was
evidently getting nearer. Should [ run
after my companions Full of despair,
I placed my torch near the precipice.
The light fell upon the enraged shaggy
monster, who WAS very dexterously
climbing the steep side of the well. I
was wild with fury, and seized hold of a
large piece of rock which lay before me.
and hurled it with such force upon the
head of the wild beast that it fell back
! uard hnUlincr into ths, xaxrinr ahyss