The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-12-07

the entrance. and made my way into
the new quarters. 1t proved to be q
rough apartment, extending about fifty
feet into the side of the mountain, and
widening from the entrance to the back
wall. TWAS comparatively dry and very
desirable shelter from the approach
ing storm. A large pile of brush was
easily passed into the cavity, where 1
speedily removed my supper.
When the feeble light of the fire il
Illuminated the dingy place, l was not
so particularly at ease as my first i'm
preston led me to hope l would be.
The indications were quite too evident
for me 60 be mistaken. l had usurped
the abode of a grizzly bear. Twas not
then so fearful of meeting this terrible
monster as am now, and was not at
all inclined to give it up to bruin it
was so much more comfortable, COM
pared to the open air, protected from
the storm which was now beating
against the mountain side with increas-
ing fury.
"Ahr' was my inward ejaculation,
"this storm will certainly drive bruin
back to his home and precipitate a
meeting with me-"
felt confident at meeting the bruin
with advantage to myself. With my
rifle l was sure shot; added to this
were two strong shooting navy revolv-
ers and reliable hunting-knife.
There was no idea of sleep for me
while things were in this condition, for
| made brisk fire near the entrance,
and, with rock at my back, awaited
patiently, in sitting posture, with my
rifle freshly primed and cooked for in
slant use at my side, fer the appear
ance of my enemy.
The rain was now pouring in tor
rents upon the snow, already softened
by the approaching spring, and, with
the melting snow, poured down the
mountain at fearful rate. My atten-
ton was shortly directed to the top of
the entrance, which had first noticed
with only casual glance, but on ex-
aiming it closer found it to be large
fiat stone.
Of course there was nothing alarm
ing in this, and when the water began
to trickle through the rock, making it
necessary for me to remove the fire
further within the shelter of the cav
ern, my alarm was not excited in the
least.
One-two long, long hours passed by,
still remained watching for the COM
ing of the dreadful c1eature-stil was
the torrent of water pouring about the
entrance. Hank! What is that grating
soundP Instinctively raised my rifle
to my shoulder and waited. Moment
succeeded moment, but still no appear
ance from the vague darkness beyond.
Again it sounded, sharper and more
clearly defined than before! What
could it be? A half-formed fear filled
me. Was everything right? In mo-
ment more the suspense was broken;
an enemy more dangerous than the
bear had already faced me. The water
had worn away the sandy soil between
the rocks, causing the large stone at
the entrance to fall, completely choking
up the way. l was prisoner
A full sense of my position filled me
with the widest alarm. Vainly | put
my shoulder to the huge rock and es-
sayed to push it from its Judgment; for
IL OIilJ scclHOu Ulo HIlucI, duu WOEkeu
the harder.
Turn my thoughts whichever way l
might, the awful, sickening idea of
starving slowly continually haunted
me. The fire was blazing brightly, and
the dim shadow danced fantastic figures
on the wall; the rain beat down with
unabated fury, and distant flash of
lightning revealed few small crevices
about the entrance; the low growing
of the bear, that had now returned,
and the scratching of its sharp claws
against the rock that shut him out as
completely as was shut in, all COM
bined to make my reveries of the most
unpleasant nature.
cit will be two days." thought |,
when calmness ruled my mind, "be-
fore my comrades take any steps to
look for me. They will not be alarmed
at my being out for one night, and the
second nights absence will only excite
their anxiety, not greatly, indeed, for
they trust to my skill and strength to
carry me through any ordinary con-
flict. Two days to excite their alarm
and one to reach me, if they take di-
rect route for me, which is not at all
likely, and the terrible storm had
washed away the faintest trace of my
trail Three days of living death at
least and they may be heightened I'M
til-too later'
My luncheon had barely satisfied the
hunger caused by the hard days strug-
gle over the mountains; there was an
inexhaustible supply of water within
three feet of me, but, alas! not a drop
that could get.
Casting my eyes upon the floor l re
solved to gain what refreshment l
might in sound sleep. There was no
fear of a possible intrusion from any
source, and the sweet oblivion of sleep
soon robbed me of all consciousness of
the horror in store for me. Would that
the same oblivion had covered my fol-
lowing experience.
With the first dim rays of sunlight
family struggling through the narrow
crevices, l was astir, with mind and
body refreshed for the labor before me.
| had keen appetite, but it did not as
sumo alarming proportions. The storm
had passed entirely away, and the sun
rode the heavens majestically, I'M
dimmed by the slightest cloud. Yet,
Notwithstanding the brilliancy without,