Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-10-24

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that you want, take my word for it."
"Wel, I'm off for little prospect
ing on my own hook" replied Leon,
and swinging pick across his shoulder
he trudged out of the little camp amid
the laughter of the others.
The day was beautiful, and Pauline,
left to herself, strayed along the river
bank, accompanied only by one Of the
hunting dogs which Morel had brought
with him from Seattle. One thing after
another-frst cluster Of gayly colored
leaves, then flower and after that q
gold winged butterfy-enticed the girl
to continue her ramble. In this way she
gradually drew away from the camp
without realizing the distance she had
covered. While thus reveling in the
beauties Of the wild scenery bird Of
rich plumage few up in front of her
and alighted upon bush In plain sight.
Immediately the thought that she might
be able tc find its nest and secure the
eggs, which she doubted not would be
most daintily spotted, led her to follow
the crimson breasted trickster, which
of course was simply engaged in leading
the girl in the very opposite direction.
On, on, through bush and tall grass,
over fallen trees and through networks OF
trailing vine. followed by her four footed
companion, Pauline made her way. The
feathered will-o' the-wisp, uttering plain
tive cries, as If it feared his pursuer
was upon the very point Of seizing his
nest, hoped from branch to branch, dis
playing its beautiful plumage in ever
changing lights. Pauline, intoxicated
with the increasing hope of coming upon
the prize, bounded along like nymph
of the woods, the cries of the bird and
barking of the dog serving to keep her
mind from all thoughts of the camp left
miles behind. Suddenly the dog halted,
and raising his nose high in the air gave
unmistakable signs Of scenting the pres
ence of some enemy, for he whined nerv-
ously and fixed his intelligent eyes upon
Pauline's face with a puzzled look.
"Good dog, Hectorl" said the young
girl, for the first time realizing the dam
ger of her position, and then patting him
on the head she murmured, What is 1t,
Hector; what do you seer"
The animal replied with low, anxious
whine and with the same inquiring look
into Pauline's face. Suddenly the low
whine changed into a growl, and the
dog showed his teeth in such threaten
ing manner that Pauline no longer
doubted the presence of some dangerous
beast in the underbrush. While stand
ing there revolving in her mind whether
the best thing for her to do was not to
turn and flee in the opposite direction
and trust to her swiftness of foot to
make her escape, the girl was suddenly
transfxed with fear ut seeing large
grizzly rise on his launches not twenty
feet from her, with open mouth and two
rows of terrible teeth shining like bur-
nished ivory in the uncertain light of the
forest depths. Pauline's limbs bent un-
der her and she had great difficulty to
overcome an inclination to throw herself
on her face and welcome the uncon-
sciousness which seemed to be playing
with her thoughts.
But all at once she recollected mother,
father, brother. and something whis-
pered to her that she must not throw her
life away. Turning about and making
a great effort, she regained possession OF
her will power and bounded off like an
arrow, calling out to Hector to follow
her. In an instant the bear started in
pursuit. Had there been a clearing, the
swift footed Pauline would have had no
difficulty in distancing her pursuer, but
the long, wiry grass and at times thick
underbrush SO impeded her movements
that a glance over her shoulder told her
that the fierce beast was slowly gaining
upon her.
Still her heart did not fail her. Bound
ing, leaping, dashing along, the girl kept
in her course. 1t was now question OF
endurance, for quarter mile Of level,
open country had enabled her to increase
the lead she, had. Her strength was still
intact. In fact, she began to feel thrill
of pleasurable excitement in this danger
ous sport Of racing with grizzly, when
to her sorrow she saw that her further
advance was blocked by a turbulent
stream some twenty feet in width.
Swim she could not, and so 1t seemed
certain destruction to plunge into the
seething, foaming food. She halted,
turned, saw the fierce beast, from whose
jaws few flakes Of foam, not hundred
feet away. 1t was now choice of deaths.
Thoughts of mother, father, brother
again fitted tumultuously through her
mind, mixed with vague idea that the
bear had suddenly halted.
And SO it had. Worried by the at
tacks of Hector, the huge animal had
come to bay and was making frantic eff
forts to strike the brave dog with its
paw. But again the grizzly resumed the
chase. Pauline now stood hesitating
upon the bank of the wild mountain
stream watching the terrible beast as he
drew near with an easy lope. Again the
dog succeeded in halting him when
within few feet of her. She could see
the glare of his eyes, hear the sound of
his breath. 1t grew black before her.
Good dog, seek him! seek himp now
rang in her ears.
The voice was strange one, but the
sound of 1t lent her new courage.