Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-12-05

I SLAMMED THE DOOR IN THE BEAR 8 FACE.
get in there would surely be some part of
his anatomy missing, as the bear was right
on his heels.
Just as he reached the threshold bruin
made a grab for the region of Bills hip
pocket, and in an instant his lean form fell
on the dirt floor, while greenbacks and
silver dollars few in all directions outside.
I slammed the door in the BEARS face,
and, dropping the slender latch into place,
braced myself against it and yelled for
Bill, who was feeling around to find how
much of his anatomy he had left outside, to
get a brace for the door.
He got up after satisfying himself that he
had only lost his months pay and the bulk
of the posterior portion of his neither gar
ments, and found q plank, with which we
soon had the door secured.
The next trouble which stared us in the
face was the length of the bear's patience
and the shortness of our supply of pro-
visions.
We had both heard of bruins sagacity,
staying qualities and ability to endure
hunger, and Bill, who was a veritable belly
god, began to turn blue at the prospect OF
being deprived of three square meals a day
until we should either be rescued or die.
I tried to cheer him up, but it was hope
less task, andI soon gave it up and COM
menced to devise means OF escape.
About ten o'clock in the evening I hit
upon scheme which I proceeded at once to
carry out.
After lighting an old piece OF candle,
which Bill insisted it would be wiser to save
for eating purposes. proceeded to cut a
hole in the widest plank in the door with my
knife.
Bill thought that was going crazy, but
when unfolded my plan-which was moth
ing less than the capture OF the brute-he
agreed to assist, and casually mentioned
that he might find his last months pay, and
may be we might get to camp in time for
breakfast.
about a five-inoh hole in the plank In spite
Of the repeated Interruptions of the grizzly
and was ready for business.
We both had several pieces of wire hang
ing on our belts, and Bill had q large pair OF
pincers which he used In cutting wire.
These, along with pair Of climbing irons,
were the weapons with which we were to
make bruin prisoner.
The plan was to get him to poke his nose
through the hole, and then grab his lower
jaw with the pincers, put the straight por-
ton of the climbing iron into his mouth
back OF the tusl1s, and then wire his jaws SO
closely together that the teeth could not SLIP
EVER. This scheme struck Bill as being ex-
ceedingly funny, and the prospects OF get
ting his legs under the festal board at the
camp again put him in an excellent humor
and ready for the fray.
The chance for action soon came, for as
held my hand close to the hole, the bear
attempted to seize it, and Bill closed the
pincers on his jaw like q wise. then put
the iron in place, and in five minutes had
the infuriated brute 50 securely fastened as
to make escape impossible. He made q
great many attempts to free himself, but
| finding them Of no avail along toward
morning he ceased his struggles, and Bill,
who was as good . sleeper as eater, CON
| cluded that.it would be advisable to take 9
snooze; accordingly he stretched himself
out on q plank in front OF the door, and was
| soon sound asleep. The excitement and ex
| ertions Of the night also had their eject on
me, and, after listening to Bits snoring FOL
| some time, / also fell asleep.
| A crash and blood-curdling yell awak
| ened me, and when opened my eyes saw
sight at which I could not refrain from
laughing. The door opened toward q cor
ner of the cabin and Bill, who evidently In
his sleep had kicked the brace from 1t, was
| securely imprisoned in the corner. with the
Infatuated bear slamminG the door NJ