The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-09-20

nlgnt.
81 see," responded the foreman. "And
you honestly believe that there is danger
for me?"
81 know it," concluded the old man.
II can not tell you why, but wink's as
good as a nod"
Feeling that his employe had strong
cause for the warning, Sheppard was
guided by it, and for several days re-
manned near the choppers. and out of
the heavy timber. During this time
nothing new occurred.
1t 90 happened, however, that upon
one dull, cloudy morning, when the air
was thick with coming snow, it became
necessary for him to make trip Of sew
eral miles through the forest to o
distant point in search of needed timber;
and after q hearty breakfast ut early
dawn he started.
The way was through the unbroken
timber, away from all paths add trails,
so that although he carried rifle and
pistols, he hardly deemed it possible
that his enemy could find him.
Rapidly he urged his way over the
rolling ridges, often tufted with dense
thicket of pine and sometimes cedar, and
across the intervales of hemlock and
black ash, and following the line Of his
compass and the old surveyors marks
on the trees, until, several hours before
noon, he found himself upon the ground
he wished to examine.
Until now the air had been clear; but
Just as he concluded his inspection of
the timber on the tract, and seated him.
self to eat his luuch, snow began to fall.
This was unpleasant, and might prove
even dangerous. Good woodsmen were
sometimes lost in these mighty solitudes,
and Sheppard fastened to begin his camp
ward journey.
I'll strike for the river" said he to
himself. "It's bit longer, but can
follow the stream up to the log way,
then find the trail, and so have direct
road to camp"
The river ran in a wide circle some
three miles to the west of where he was.
At q point about two miles from the
camp, on high bluff, yrs storing
point for timber, from which, to the
waters brink-perhaps third of a mile
distant, and 500 feet below-there ran a
log way, or rough, strong trough, built
of heavy planks. down whsch the logs
were shot in the early spriugtime, or, in
fact, at any time when desired, to be
gathered into RATS at Its foot.
Shephard's plan was to find the river
and follow it up to this point, from
which he could travel the beaten road
home.
Without delay, having formed his
plans. Sheppard threw his rifle to his
shoulder. glanced at his compass, and
started.
For time his path ran along the
ridges already spoken Of, where the
snow was not particularly heavy, and as
the storm increased but slowly, he made
fair progress. At length, however, he
found himself upon lower ground as he
approached the river, where the depth
of snow was much greater, and at the
same time the wind increased and the
storm swept through the mountain
forest.
Still the man kept bravely on. He was
accustomed to the work, and thought
but little of danger in connection with
it, his whole mind being given to the
care and watch of his path. when sud
denly, as he climbed fallen pine to
gain little better view through the now
fast-falling snow, he heard low growl
almost at his very feet. The next instant
the brown and shaggy form of gaunt
bear arose before him, and with snarl
of rage and surprise, bruin struck
viciously at Shephards legs.
The foreman was taken completely I'M
awares, and the blow threw him back
ward into the deep snow, his rifle falling
from his hands as he fell.
He heard the angry brute crashing
through the dead branches Of the pine
toward him. He felt that but q few
seconds only separated him from those
vicious and hungry teeth. and with
desperate effort he regained his feet and
turned and seized his rife; but. to his
horror, the muzzle was full Of snow, and
he dared not FIRE it.
Snatching q pistol from his belt, he
turned again, just in time to meet his
enemy face to face. He could not retreat,
and. xs the bear arose with another
terrific growl, and struck . sweeping
blow, the man bowed himself, and press.
ing his weapon full against the shaggy
body SO near him. pulled the trigger.
There was sharp report, mingling
with shrek Of agony, . smell Of burned
kair. and then, without . sound, but
with the bright blood yelling from her
side. the monster sank, quivering and
lifeless, to the ground. Shephard's bull.
let had found her very heart!
To say that the man had not been
frightened would be wrong. but he did
not stop to glory over his success. The
- nd h. =