The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-01-31
The Boating Bear.
A STORY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

Once there were two hunters way out
West, who spent their time fishing, and
trapping minks and beavers, and chasing
deer, aud fighting wildcats and other
''varmints," as they called them. One
day they were boating up the river, and
helf 4 mile or SO off they saw big
black bear come down to the edge of
the water to get his breakfast off from
the body OF deer that had got stuck
fast in the mud while he was licking
up salt water-whch the deer liked
very much-and died there.
They tried Every way to get near
enough to the bear to have shot at him,
but the old fellow was too cunning for
them. If they tried to row the boat up
to where he was he would trot off into
the dark woods before they got any
where near close enough to shoot. Or
if they left the boat and tried to creep
up along the shore, he would smell the
powder in their guns long before he could
hear them, ana w-uld give mad kind
of growl. and run away.
The hunters pretty soon got tired of
this sort of fooling, and thought they ID
try another game on him. So they
lDoh w nat was ltll VI tlle uccl duu lure"
it into the river, and it foated out into
the stream. Then they took an old boat
that they hadn't used in long time,
and put on the seat ia the middle big
cake OF honey they had got out of a
bee tree few days before. They drew
the boat up on the sand at the water 5
edge, and laid the rope down and covered
it with sand aud stone, just heavy enough
to keep it from floating off, but not
enough to anchor it very tight. Every
bit of the work they did standing IN the
water, or in their own boat, so as not to
leave any tracks or scent to scare away
the bear
Then they rowed across the river, half
mile or more away, and got ready to
watch with spy-glass.
Along about shutdown the old bear
came trotting down out Of the woods to
get another ''venison steak, rare, with
salt water sauce" Before he got there
he smelled the honey, and he began TO
lick his chops, as much as to say. Good
enough wild honey for dessert" But
in minute he found his venison vas
gone, and maize Is much fuss, flying
around and growling, as your papa diu
last SInday when the cat carried off
the quaiis he had brought home for din
ner. But as the deer was gone, and he
was hungry, he started to smell out the
honey. Pretty soon he founi the boat,
and saw the big cake of honey on the
seat He started back scared at first, Blu,
as there were no guns, no oars, nor any
sign or smell of man, be came back
and began 10 peek around.
Bears are a good deal like boys in
some things. They love to play; they
have a sweet tooth; they are cross when
they are hungry; and they are very curl
Gus. So this old fellow whose mouth
fairly watered for the honey, looked all
around, like a mlschievous yOuuker 60
ing to his mamma's preserves, and then
jumped iuto the boat But in less than a
jitfy he wished he hadn't, for his weight
loosened the rope, and his jump into the
boat sent 1t out upon the stream, and as
the current was real swift there, Mr.
Bear was soon floating down the river.
He couldn't swim, and was too much
afraid OF the water TO jump in, and too
scared to eat the honey. So he did
again just what n boy would do.
Whats taatf
VIII, he howled."
The huutcrs hid seen everything he
did, and they jumped into their boat
and beg, an I" pull tor him lively. Oae
of EN- sat ia the middle aud rowed. aud
the other sat in The hos with his ride.
As soon as they got near enough the
first huner began TO laugh and talk at
the bear.
Where are ye driftin 10, you old
contrabandf' he called out-"and
what'r We runnin' off with my boat fort
Why doat ye lay down and paddle with
yer fore paws, and steer with that air
stub tail AS n rudder. An how do you
like honey, anyhow
When the bear heard the hunters
voice he turned his head, and was rs
mad as he bad been scared before. He
showed all his great savage teeth, and
growled enough to make your hair
stand on end. But the hunters weren't
afraid, and rowed up quite close
"You don't seem u bit glad TO see US"
said the other one, though | dare eay
you'd hug US If you had a chance. Are
you u ishin', or just boatin' for pleas