The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-02-01
AN UNEXPECTED ESCAPE.

| EOlty OF moro years ago III Nu6 udyA
when California was only poor, far-of
Mexican California and nothing moro,
and was a very young officer in Uncle
Sans little army, once found myself
stationed at a certain inland town--if a
collection of adobe or mud huts deserved
the name-situated about sixty miles dis
! tant from the then scarcely larger village
of Yerba Buena, the now mighty city of
San Francisco.
Wewere doing garrison duty-a single
company, under old Capt. Jack B.,
an easy going commander, who gave us
little to do and plenty of time to do it in.
So, as the hours hung somewhat heav-
lily upon our hands, Capt. Jack and L
the only officers at the post-took to
hunting and shooting, with now and
then little fishing by way of change, to
vary the monotony of our eolaier life.
Countless flocks of wild geese brant and
lesser water fowl came by thousands to
banquet upon the wild oat fields and
make their reedy homes among the wide
marshes which separate the firmer land
about Sonoma from the spreading bays
that terminate in the Golden Gate.
We had goose for dinner, brant for
breakfast and cold duck for supper and
lunch, till old Jack declared his belief
that he should quack if we ate any more
such fare.
One morning had been very success
full at duck shooting, and when tired
Of the sport / proceeded to shoulder my
| piece and secure my game for the home
ward tramp of three or four miles.
As l lost sight Of the shooting ground,
and began to enter the live oak groves
scattered here and there along the higher
ridges bordering the marshy edges Of
the bay, found myself suddenly envel-
oped in one of those dense mists which
sweep up at certain seasons from the
sea, like the ocean vapors Of Newport
summer afternoon.
AS / had no special path, and was
travelling only by familiar landmarks,
now rendered indistinct by the hoary
haze, was obliged to move more slow
ly, and soon felt satisfied that had
missed my way.
Reaching at length a space open
upon three sides, the fourth being thinly
wooded, but without particle of under
growth paused for moment to sur
vey SO far as my limited horizon would
permit, tract of country which was
new to me; moreover, 1 hoped to hear
the sound of running water. which, as
knew the general direction Of the
streams, would serve to guide me in
taking what sailors call fresh depar-
ture
While listening intensely, I heard from
the wooded side of my narrow, visible
world sort of pounding, as If some man
with large boots and no corns had found
his feet unpleasantly cold, and was en-
deavoring to warm them by stamping in
a manner which betokened an utter dis
regard for shoe leather.
Then came a wheeze like that of a
gruf giant troubled with the asthma,
and finally a mixed compound OF
crunching and mumbling, as if huge
hog were eating hard corn. Ny atten.
tion being now thoroughly aroused by
90 remarkable combination of sounds
peered into the gloom until fancied
could perceive the vague, misty form
of some creature stirring up the fop
within twenty feet of the spot on which
had halted.
sit is-no, it can't be-yes, but it is q
grizzly Don't wish was at homeI"
That's what l thought. You see,
hadn't come bear hunting, was duck
shooting, and had no conveniences foI
carrying home bear, even if should
J kill one; and the more I looked at Mr.
Grizzly, the better satisfied was tha
he had every convenience for killing anl
carrying mel
All had ever heard or read Of hi
ugly, hateful ways seemed TO rush int,
my mind.
II / had been examined on this subjec
in natural history just then, shoulc
\ have gone up to the head of my clas
immediately.
Meanwhile we stood looking at eacl
other. 1t was evidently surprise OIL
\ both sides. ] stared very hard at tn
\. bear with wide open eyes, while the bea
/ stared very hard at me with wide opel
d mouth.
think the bear got over his astonish
ment first. and, what is worse, coul
see he wasn't at all alarmed. He stoppe
eating, gave sniff and a snort of inter
rogatory "Who are your grunt, an
then took a step toward me.
AS am Of a retiring disposition, an
have never been willing to intrude my
self into company where have not bee
invited, felt some delicacy in continI
ing to be witness of his repast, and wa
accordingly Withdrawing in as unosteI
tatious a way as good manners woul
7 permit, when it seemed to occur to brui
s that he owed it to good fellowship I
o cultivate my acquaintance.
Declining that honor, dropped into
backward walk, keeping my face, aftt
the manner of royal presentations, towar
this monarch of the western wiids, whel
- to my horror, he favored me with gri
such a grini-and it was followed by
snap and growl.
AS he quickened his steps toward M
Iunconsciously hastened my own; whel
taking long stride backward, l foun
n myself suddenly PROSTATE in a sort
dry ditch or "slue," where l lay for
moment half stunned, in company wit
20 my dead birds and duck gun.
N As / recovered myself ! could hear n
he gruhting and grumbling friend, douh
less not a little astonished at this sudde
Pc disappearance, go tramping up and dow
I'D in the vain attempt to nose me out in Il
fog,
had nov time to think, and, as
merchant might say, take stock" OF n
position and prospects. On the one sic
/ was chased By bear, hungry bea
q cross bear, bear disturbed at b
5, breakfast of sweet acorns. had 10
my way. ! had only a dueking gui
which, however formidable to wild gees
g was a mere plaything when brought
bear upon the thick, tough hide of {
acorn fatted grizzly, whose gross weigl
might be somewhere in the neighborbOS
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