Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-09-24
received before ber lite was yielded.

received before her lie was yleIOed.
Like tho parent who now songht hi;
daughter. the first thought OF the beal
was OF her young, and even in her dying
agony she had olung TO the food which
she had brought them.
Only few feet higher up were the
cubs. They saw the mother. and they
appeared TO anticipate great feast. for
they were struggling to reach 1t, while
they lifted up their voices in chorus with
their parent.
Dick knew thai he must save his child
soon or il would DO too late. So te re-
solved TO creep as near as possible to the
monster, and thea spring upon her with
ms knite, for in his haste and exci,emen,
ho had dropped his rifle.
Just as ha was moving forwsrd, the
bear turned and their eyes met. The dy-
ing boast uttered d terrific howl, and then
looked down st her victim. Then she
glanced at her own cubs and again
toward Dick. Her expressioned look
seemed TO say:
You will have no mercy on my
young; whY should have upon yours ?"
1t was a dreadful suspense Tor Dick.
lie was satisfied that the bear could live
but few moments. But what might not
happen in those few moments A single
blow from her nuge paw and his darling
would be torn in pieces. A movement
on his part migh. cause the blow to fall.
Tho hunter becomes so accustomed TO
the animals with which he comes in con-
tact, lhat no can almost read their very
thoughts. Their action can nearly a.
ways be- correctly interpreted. SO 1t was
with Dick now. He knew the intention
OF the bear, and knew that his own action
must be prompt.
lie cluiched his knife, and with his arm
nerved with desperation. hope, and .
fathers love. be sprang directly at the
throat Of the monster. who received him
with q terrific howl and jaws wide open.
Had The beast been uninjured the strug-
gle would have been OF short duration.
tor the odds between a grizzly bear snd
a man woaiG be AS great ss that between
lion and a mouse. But she monster
vas now dying and death was near. She
retained Ill hor courage and will. bat not
her strength.
Dick gave her several rapid blows
with his knife. She groaned almost as a
human being would have done. and fell
upon her side. But sho recovered in al
instant, and. striking Dick, she threw
him to the earth. But the father had
seized his beloved daughter, and. throw
ing her aside. she was now out OF danger.
But not SO with himself
He was now stretched dst upon his
back, aud both paws OF the beast were
upon his breast. and he could ieel the
sharp claws entering bis flesh. Tue two
great CLASSY eyes glsred into his own, the
terrible growl rang in his ears, the jaws
were extended, the long white teeth glis-
tened and the blood-red tongue was ready
10 lap up his blood. He struggled but
could no! move. A moment moro and
all would DO over with him forever, now
The dealh-gtip WAS Fixed upoa him.
And 20 add to his agony he had seen
his child spring of and run toward the
edge OF the cliff. 1t would be dashed to
pieces by falling, even as its brother had
been.
Just at that moment, however, there
came the report OF rife. The bear re-
laNed her hold and fell heavily upon the
body of Dick. He rolled the animal
away and sprang 70 his feet. A friend
had arrived in time, and not a minute too
soon. He was holding Eva in his arms.
She WAS not hurt.
The father could not help shedding
tears over his rescued darling, for never
before had she appeared half SO dear to
him Bat ne resolved not to expose her
TO any further danger Of the kind, and SO
he took an almost immediate departure
Tor Ihe home he had selected in the Gold
en- State.