The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-04-23
A Bear Adventure.

among the pioneers, and he appeared to be
one Of the most unfortunate. Together
with other rcighbors, Dick had removed
from Central Colorado TO the western slope
of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Hshome
was in wildly romantic and beautiful
spot, and fortune appeared to smile upon
him, SO far ms his pccuniary matters were
concerned; for his land yie. dcd well in the
summer and the mines gave a fair yield of
yellow dross' in tho other months.
But death came to the family of Dick
The first stroke fell upon his eldest boy,
lad OF twelve years of age. The little
fellow was fond OF hunting, and, with his
rifle, he would often venture q consider
able distance tlOm his home, and some
times was very successful in bringing down
small game. But one day he was absent
much beyond his usual time. and search
discovered his nIanglctl remains lying At
the bottom Of ledge Of rocks. lie had
evidently fallen from above and thus met
a sudden and cruel death. The blow tell
1i.u'iiJ "p,ii Di.i, ..u, lilo . ii., uu, ,,,,
man bore bravtly up under his grief, while
the woman tavc way 10 mtlancholy.
Not long alter second child, a little
girl OF five years Cfagc, sicEcncd and died.
1t now appeared rs II Mrs. Barron would
90 MAD, and jor ume her agony was
terrible TO Lclold. BvL this GRADUALLY
subsidtd, and the mother began. to sink
raplGly, anu Short time after she fol-
lo"eu her hl.le one, leaving still another
child, daughter three Years of aye. TO the
Gale OF u e stlIckcn father.
TIE Gll.l vi Dick Was not of an explo
sivc Character, but it as deep and cndur
ing. Sail he had something yet to live
Tor, ana he went to york like brave man
TO ploylde Tor his little Eva. Winter had
ttL III, and Dick had come to the COLI
cluslon to make as much as possible in tho
mines before spling, and then to sell his
property and 60 70 San Francisco, where
he 2ouiu secure shc advantages of educa-
ton Tor his little one.
For some time the ncighboIs of Dick, as
well as hlnecl1, had been much annoyed
ny tLe1t. ocVclal lambs and sheep had
pcen Killed, and poultry III large quantities
stolen. There was difference OF opinion
with regard TO these ucprcuations. Some
sald lhcy welc cOmmitLld by Indians,
othere Dr wolves, and Others by bears.
But as no snow had fallen, and as the
ground was fIozen very hard, no tracks
could he seen.
One morning, however, the alarm was
giV,n. A light snow had fallen during
the night, anu tracks were discovered. A
large grizzly bear was the thief and de-
spollcr, and he must be hunted down at
once. 1t was not supposed that they
would be obliged TO 60 tar TO find the
animal, and SO Dick seized his rifle and
joined The party, leaving his child still in
bed.
The tracks were fresh and dozen ex-
cllcd men were soon on the trail. In a
shcrt time they were on the monster; but
each man paused, turning his eyes toward
DICK, and waiting for him to speak. The
bear was standing near the cabin door of
Barron, gazing at the child who was seated
In The doorway, wal ching the movements
OF The animal with evident curiosity, but
without exhibiting any signs of fear.
Dick felt his very heart sink within him
rs lie saw this; but bis weakness passed
away in an instant, and without removing
his eyes from the bear, he asked:
Men, can you uscyour rifles with steady
hands2'
Yes, replied several.
Then raise them and have them ready.
Be sure youl aim is good, and that every
bullet would bc buried in the body of the
beast in case Of firing. But hold your shot
until give The Word.'
instantly every rifle was raised.
DICK moved CAREFULLY around toward the
back OF the cabin. 1t was his intention to
enter tho window, seize his litto one,
draw her back, and closing the door save
her. But now the animal BEGAN to utter
deep growls, and advance slowly ,owuld
Eva. The father saw this, and exclaimed:
My darling, get up, 60 into the house,
and cIoso tic door,
The chAd looked up, smiled, and then
arose, attempting To- do The bidding OF the
father; but tho morHsss!er advanced with a
iearlu aa",,a. howl and as the 2or waa closed
against him, he struck t With his huge
pays thattering it into t,piinters.
Il feared tins. Fne: but be careful and
not injurc the chlldl' osried the father.
lie discharged his ojws piece, aud at the
sSmc Sal time dozen otlfer rlties rang out:
The bear gave mosrAi fearful howl, turned
upon his clen.ics, glurll.n upon them with
Of oits snr;, ,e, and pon. pom
eveI,lJssW6ald maxi, ,Sa S1S to change his
errTfsin lis boots. ~