Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-09-11
CHATTER XI.-THE PRISONER.

At this moment, from behind an undula-
ton of the soil, rose up an enormous ami
mai, bear with brown fur and black limbs,
the shoulders of which were encircled by
white band resembling a collar.
The beast stopped and suddenly showed
fearful energy, occasioned, doubtless, by the
cravings of its stomach. 1t went to the
brigand, who lay stretched in death upon
the snow tinged pink by the confagration of
the forest 1t walked around the CORPSE
smelled it, and, taking convenient posi-
ton, calmly began to devour it.
When the creature had swallowed the
flesh, which it tore to pieces with its sharp
nails and crunched with its powerful jaws,
it went, dripping with blood, towards the
chief of police. Was the latter about to be
eaten in his turn9 The bear turned the mo-
tionless and paralyzed body and, afterwards,
methodically, turned it back; then it seated
itself upon it's launches, reflected for an
instant and decided, like the good econo-
mist it was that, having eaten enough for
that day, and even for several days, it should
reserve the rest OF its provisions for a time
Of need.
1t seized Yermac by the arm and, without
sinking it's pointed teeth too deeply in the
a little clump of dwarf trees.
Arrived there, it dug hiding-place in the
earth with it's nails, in which it carefully
laid the chief OF police.
The bear broke some small branches, art
fully placed them over the food magazine it
had just established, and covered the whole
with snow which it deity projected with
its hind paws, turning its back to the little
mound
This done, it went to complete its diges-
ton somewhat further off, and, perhaps, to
scott at some brown confrere having a less
keen scent and less activity.
Meanwhile, the fugitives-Yegor, Nadege
M Laf1eur, and the little Pole-after having
escaped from the torrent of flames which
ran from south to north, were returning
skirting the immense incandescent furnace
over the eastern road, by which Te1el and
the iberating sledges would arrive in few
days.
They had heaped upon two of their horses
which they had succeeded in recovering
the pologue, some saved provisions, the
arms and the clothing, and were nrnornes
ing, Yegor and NJ. Lafeur each leading d
horse by the bride. They We're advancing
slowly by the intermittent light of the con
fiagratiOn.
An hour after the burial of the chief Of
police, the fugitives reached the spot where
the bloody fight between Yermac and the
gOld-rObbers had occurred. They saw blood
scattered about in profusion, and the re-
mains Of devoured human corpse. All
stood mute with amazement at this hideous
spectacle. On looking closer, Ladislas per
ceived trace of blood upon the snow as
if a wounded man had dragged himself
away. He impaired his discovery to Mad.
eye.
''There must he a wounded man not far
from here!" cried the young girl See this
blood, Monsieurs, and this trodden snow.
Oh! if we have come soon enough to save
one of our kindl'
'I.et US look into this matter" said Yegor
They fastened the horses to the trees.
In neighboring valley, growl was
heard. 1t was the bear with the white col
lar
''We must not stray too far" said M.
Lateur, prudently holding his gun in his
hand, prepared for whatever might happen
The whole party advanced to the mound
beneath which Yerrnac lay. This hiding
place seemed mysterious to them.
Yegor and the little Pole got down upon
their knees and scraped away the snow
with their hands. while NJ. Laheur, with
his gun upon his shoulder, kept guard over
them.
The snow removed and the branches TAX
en- from their position, in the light reflected
by the clouds of smoke lowering over the
forest in combustion, Yegor, Ladislas and
Nadege saw mana dead man inferred.
"a corpse |" exclaimed they, Simultaneous
~, with different degrees of emotion.
A sigh answered them.
He is not dead!" cried Yegor. And he
felt his heart ssIt beats strongly" added
he, full of hope.
''Oh! what good fortune for us!" cried
Nadege. ''My friends, we are allowed to
do good action-which will somewhat con-
sole US for the cruel extremities to which
you were compelled to resort; you can re-
store this life in place of the otherlif in the
defiles! Confidence, 4egorl This is good
omen for the success Of your courageous en-
terprise"
The chief of police was placed in a sitting
posture by Yegor, aided by M. Laf1eur, who
had forgotten the bear and its growls.
Yegor, frightened at seeing the distorted
features and closed eyes Of the chief OF
police, thought the sight vision of the
brain.
''Ahl Nadegel" cried he, ''do not speak
Of that man of the defles-you fill me with
terrorln
NJ. Lafleur, with open mouth, was also
staring with fright