Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-16

his window to join in the fun, and artful
Rouser quietly slipped into his place. Day
after day Rouser continued to play this trick
on poor Butte, and always with the same sue
cess.
But this same little window was a source of
sorrow to Camp Square Comfort, as we called
our quarters. One day we all went out hunt
ing, and forgot to shut the window. When
we returned we found that the coyotes had
carried off all our bacon. This was seri-
GUS loss We could borrow little, of course,
but it was necessary for some one TO 60 to the
nearest trading post for fresh supply. Hank
Howley volunteered to perform the mission,
and as he was the strongest of the party and
more used to travelling on snow shoes, he
seemed best fitted for the service. 1t was
about forty miles to the trading post, but
Hank was sure he could make the trip in three
days, or four at farthest.
"You had better tie up Rouser till am
well on the way" he said. Then he started.
Rouser was greatly detected. He whined
and howled and cried all day, the tears run
ming down his face and dropping on the
floor. At night we united him, but his spir-
its did not seem to improve On the third
night Hank had not returned but Rouser was
gone. Wedid not feel anxious on Hanks ac-
count, for he had suggested that he might
prolong his stay in case he found himself too
fatigued to start back Immediately.
About daylight on the fourth day Rouser,
or what there was left of him, came back to
camp. His condition was even worse than
when he first came to US. One leg seemed
broken, and several ugly wounds gave evil
dence of some fierce encounter. To his
neck was fastened scrap Of paper, on which
was traced with blood, in scarcely legible
characters: Broke my leg. Cal. lion. Be
quick"
We lost no time in going to the rescue. A
party Of twenty men, on long shoes and with
good rifles started out. A light fall of snow
rendered it easy to follow poor Rouser's track.
An hours run brought us to the object of our
search. Hank was lying under a thick pine
tree on the snow. At first we thought
we were too late. His form was cold
and almost rigid. One bone of the left leg
was broken. Fortunately brandy had not
been forgotten, and Doc Furber, who was a
real physician, succeeded in restoring him,
with the help of many rough but willing
hands.
We did not worry him with questions; he
could not talk. But all around the spot were
marks of ferocious battle, and tracks of a
large California bear. A broken snow-shoe,
the pieces brstling with hair, indicated the
nature of the battle. There was a deep
wound on Hanks hand, and his coat was bad
ly torn. Watt Morgan picked up his bloody
pocket et-knife in the snow. 1 found his re.
volver, with all the chambers empty.
Following the track of the ferocious ami
NAL his dead body was found about half a
mile from the spot. 1t was the largest spec
linen of the puma that l ever saw, measur-
ing fully nine feet from tip to tip. We Sc
cured his skin, and slowly returned to camp.
1t was two days before Hank could briefly
recount his adventures. 1t appeared that he
had started out early on the morning of the
third day to return. He had bought hun
dred pounds of bacon, and was lucky enough
to have it brought out fifteen miles by pack
train Then he packed it on his back ten
miles further, until he reached the snow
where he left his hand sled. He had come
on faster than he expected until nearly sun
set, when he heard the familiar cry of a Cali
fornia lion. Upon that he started forward
as fast as he could go, and looking back for
the lion, he made false step; his snow-shoe
| hit a stump, throwing him with great vio-
lence, and breaking his leg. Fortunately the
| night was warm, SO he had no fear of freez-
ing. He had few crackers in his pocket,
and, with the bacon, he was well provided
| against hunger, and lie did not feel entirely
| hopeless.
Then the cry of the California lion sound
| ed nearer No doubt he scented the bacon
Hank drew his revolver, and crawled to a
large tree. He partly succeeded in burying
| the bacon in the snow. The fearful cry
| sounded still nearer. The sun had set and it
was nearly dark. Intently watching, he at
length discerned the animal, his eyes gleam-
| ing through the branches of tree He de-
cided not to fire until his only chance re-
| qured it, lest the wounded beast should at
tack him. He shouted, waved his broken
snow shoe, threw snow balls but the crea-
- L. Il. sI1,1A Al
taking in the situation. He drew nearer and
nearer, crouching as if for a spring. When
he was within a couple of rods Hank fred
his first shot, hoping to hit him in the eye.
But the bullet seemed to glance from the
| skull The maddened brute was about to
leap upon him when a champion appeared.
Rouser sprang upon him from behind.
Then began a fearful conflict. Rouser,
who was small and more active, could avoid
the onset of his heavier foe for some time,
until he grew weary. Hank fred several
shots, but failed to hit vital spot. Once
the battle surged so near him that he beat the
lion off with his broken snow-shoe, and sue
ceeded in inhicting q sharp wound in his
throat This was probably IA mortal wound
for the animal retreated, closely pursued by
Rouser. and Hank could hear the conflict
raging for an hour longer. Then Rouser re
turned in pitiable plight, but joyful ant
triumphant.
Hank thought the time could not have beer
far from midnight. But he probably tainted
from pain and exhaustion, for the next h'
knew it was morning, and he was nearl!
dead with cold. He managed to stir little
and from the bleeding wound on his hand
where the fierce brute had scratched him, h
obtained the blood to trace the warning W
had received. He had written it with
match, and fastened it to Rouser's neck
With the same match he had been able t,
light little fire, which he fed for some tim
with bark and cones from the pine-tree. ID
ate a cracker and then probably fell asleep.
Thanks to skilful surgery and good nursing
he came out all right, and was able to do hi
part when we resumed work in the spring
And Rouser, who shared his convalescen
couch, with one of his legs splintered an
bandaged, like his master-oh, he was tn
/ hero of the camp! If dogs head could b
} turned with compliments and flattery, Rou7
or would have been a spoiled dog But hi
nature was too noble and unselfsh to be move
by any sentiment of vanity.
I Through the long weeks in which our tw
helpless patients lay in their rude hunks "
learned a lesson from their brave and uncom
1 planning patience.
t Hanks hardness and reserve seemed
3 melt away in generous gratitude for the a
( tention and care we bestowed upon HIN
} And it was good thing for us that we ha
t some ennobling occupation to expand and e
evate our hearts
. As for Rouser, he got bravely over his IL
. iuries and am sure there was not man
1 Round Valley that did not think him as wo
4 thy of being carved in marble as any OF II
worlds great heroes.-HarperS Young re
ple
Solitude.