The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1888-03-23
A TRUE BEAR STORY.

the province of New Brunswick, in Cum
berland county. It is a wild, romantic
spot, and for many years its silence has
not been broken by an invader Of any
kind. Near to the camp the MamaZekel
river zigzags its way through the quiet
forest until it empties its clear, cold waters
into the more pretentious stream known
as the Tobique.
Is was on the 1st of last August that
Mr. c. James Conley, of the Adams house,
and his brother Jack, of New York, began
puzZling their brains as to the best place
in which to spend their vacation. They
were bent on a fishing excursion, and
wanted to find a place, if such a thing
were possible, where the fly throwers did
not Outnumber the speckles on the back Of
each trout caught and having settled the
question of destination they Immediately
began to prepare for their long journey.
Fish poles, fish lines, two Winchester
rifles, high topped boots, hunting suits,
and in fact everything necessary for a
complete outfit for warfare on fin and
feathers was procured and packed away in
two strong boxes, where they were to re-
main until the edge of civilization was
reached on the line of their trip.
There were no special incidents during
the journey except the purchasing of a
small birchbark canoe and the eRplOy
ment Of three Indian guides to pilot the
tourists through the wilds of the New
Brunswick forests. It was long, tedious
march the vacatiOnists had decided upon,
and led through miles of interlaced
branches of heavy brushwood, across roar
ing streams and over rocky eminences and
dismal valleys. In course of time the fish
ing grounds were reached and the party
went into camp on the bank of the Mama
zekel river.
One morning Jimmy, with one Of the
Indian guides, named Joe, started on tour
on their own "hook.'' The guide carried
the fishing tackle, while Jimmy shouldered
his Winchester and strapped on his game
bag. The little birch canoe, which has
boon referred to heretofore, was mOOred in
a shady nook in the stream. To this point
the two turned their steps. The frail craft
was boarded, and her Prov pointed up the
river.
They had not gone far when their pro-
gress was suddenly interrupted by huge
pine tree that lay directly across their
path AS they were carrying the little
boat around the obstruction, on the west
srn bank, the eye of the Indian became
suddenly riveted upon number of pecu-
liarly shaped imprints in the soft earth
near a small pool, a few feet above the
PROSTATE tree.
what have you found, Joe?' inquired
Jimmy, as he came around to where the
Indian was standing.
"Big bear; he drink here; 1OOkr' And
be bent down and traced the outlines of
the impressions in the watery earth. HE
come when the sun go down. He live
over there" said Joe, indicating the To-
cality with motion Of his head.
az am going to have that fellows skim"
were Jimmy's first words after the Indian
had finished. eve must Immediately set
to work for it's capture. What reputa-
t3on I shall earn when the boys see me
bringing a black bear into camp" he
unused. "They are not looking for such
game. wish old bruin would hurry up
and get thirsty. I can hardly control my
feelings until he takes his nightcap.'
The banks of the stream at this point
were about ten feet in height and COM
posed of a ye1low1sh alluvial deposit. The
face Of the >dechvities were rather steep,
and knotted roots and vines covered the
surface. After securing the canoe to the
trunk Of the tree they crossed to the OPP
pogite bank and began digging steps in
tie soil, so that a hasty retreat could be
easily made If the shaggy monster which
Mey were to make war upon took it into
his head to make fight at close quarters.
They were also careful to chop away the
andeP branches of the tree, so that the
weight Of the animal-if he attempted to
cross the river by that means-wOuld
drop into the water. After completing
these arrangements the two men passed
the rest OF the day in fishing and lounging
about the Immediate vicinity of bruins
watering place.
just as the sun began to dip behind the
horizon Joe suggested that they take up
position and watch for their big game
Carefully concealing themselves behind
the tree, they directed their eyes to the
little pool on the opposite bank. They
had not been IN hiding more than ten
minutes before Joe's delicate auricular
apparatus detected sound Of cracking
Nwigs and dead leaves in the direction the
pair were looking.
''He come, Mr.. Jim,' said the Indian,
as he listened intently, while resting his
bead upon the thick cushion of last years
fallen foliage.
Where, In what direction?'' eagerly
asked Jimmy. as he eased the barrel of
his rifle upon the tree and carefully raised
the hammer.
''See, brush wave, responded Joe, and
sure enough the thicket just to the left of
the pool was being agitated to an unusual
degree. Just then the body of one of the
largest and finest specimens of a black
bear ever seen in that locality emerged
from the brush, and bruin walked
leisurely to his watering place.
Jimmy's finger was on the trigger of
his rife in an instant. His dream of glory
was about to be realized. The excitement
of the occasion had unsteadied his aim
Crack went the rife, and when the smoke
raised both men peered over the tree to
learn what execution had been done. AS
far as any evidence that bruin gave, he
was ia as good form as at any time during
his life He paused in his libations for a
moment, looked over in the direction
whence the sound had come, and con-
kint,ed his refreshing draught
A second report of Jlmmy's rife was
heard, and this time old brufn felt the
stIng.of the bullet, for he uttered pecu-
=" cry lifted his nose from the water,
and mapped out route on a direct line
I'll his enemies. Hemeant serious bust
- nod