Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-09-11

charming Nell. she only laughed scorn-
fully over it, and very kindly let
them alone, much 10 Neli's satisfaction
and comfort.
IL was very happy company gath
cred In the old Hajose mansion, and
one day in the latter part of May. Uncle
John suggested a long camping out
expedition in the mountains TO the
north of San Bernardino County. The
proposal was received most enthusiastic
cally, and preparation at once began.
Two weeks later we see them in
camped in broad, green-tree dotted
valley, beside glorious spring of pure.
sweet water. High around them tow
cred massive foot hills, and
beyond these rose the jagged
peaks of the isolated range on whose
borders they had halted. An old hunter
named Jake Hines accompanied them,
and promised them plenty of small
game, deer, and perhaps grizzly.
The several members of the party
had made the wearisome iaunt on
horseback, but huge canvas-covered
wagon had brought along everything to
be thought of in the line of comforts.
Thus We see them settled for long,
delightful summer holiday. Time went
by on winged feet, every member of
the party at his best, and all enjoying
the care-free, unconventional life to its
utmost.
At length. one day a month later, a
/ grand hunt was planned by the gentle
men, to last several days. They had
found no large game as yet, and were
anxious to meet that grizzly Jake had
half promised. So they set off in the
gayest spirits imaginable one fine
morning, leaving the camp in charge Of
! the ladies and the half dozen servants
they had brought along.
The four men found sign of the mon
ster they sought within mile of camp.
They followed the trail for hours, and
! then lost it on one side of deep valley
whose sides were covered by jagged,
broken rocks tumbled about in the
strangest disorder and confusion.
Here John Owens sat down hot and
tired, and the others spread out over
the valley for some distance, in hopes
| of recovering the trail. Owens sat with
his hat of, idly enjoying the cool breeze
when, without preliminary sound save
a slight rustling, a huge grizzly up
reared itself almost within arms length
of the astonished man.
His rifle was leaning against rock
few feet away, and he knew he could
not reach it. So as a last chance, he
drew revolver from his pocket and
fired at the brute's open mouth. Ere
he could pull the trigger the second
time, the creature struck the weapon
from his hand, and with a second blow
tore flesh and clothing from the un-
fortunate mans neck and shoulders,
and knocking him down. He gave him
self up for lost then, for, following up
his attack, he caught Owens leg in his
teeth, with a blood-curdling roar, and
shook him as terrier would rat.
As his teeth erunched through the
flesh the wretched man tainted, and but
for Jake Hines opportune arrival would
have been torn limb from limb. Half
dozen well-aimed shots laid the mon
ster low, and then Hines examined into
the wounded mans condition. At first
he thought him dead, but at length
signs of life rewarded his ministrations.
Picking Owens up, Hines carried him
down to where a stream of water
splashed noisily along, and soon was
pleased to see him recover conscious
ness.
"Shall / have to go this time, old
man p he asked, speaking with much
difficulty.
@I'm afraid so, SIR" with a dismal
shake of the head.
set me up, and give me my pencil
and that blank book in my pocket, he
ordered, and grumbling over the risk,
Hines obeyed.
For few minutes he wrote rapidly,
his right arm being the uniniured one.
While he was writing the two young
men appeared, and Jake went to meet
them and explain the terrible ending of
their hunt. Owens saw them, and in
faint voice called to Jake and Karl
Shultz to come and sign what he had
written, saying it was his last will and
testament.
They signed, and he exacted prom
Use from Karl to see its provisions faith
fully carried out
As Karl promised, Owens settled
back to all appearances dead. As they
stood about in sorrowful silence, loud
scream in a woman's voice rang out
from among the rocks some where above
them.
Nell" gasped Ross Emerson, and he
dashed rapidly up the hill followed by
both Karl and Hines.
Returning half an hour later after
fruitless search of the rocks, what was
their horror to find John Owens body
had disappeared. Search as they might
no trace Of it ever could be discovered.
and the next day they returned to camp
with their dismal tale.
To their further undoing, they found
the camp in an uproar, and Nell Owens
missing since the previous noon.
She had wandered away from the
camp alone, they said, and all search
had as vet failed to reveal her where
abouts. Without an instant's delay, the
weary men resumed their tramping