St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-09-13

my Wlllfulness and foolhardiness in
having led these boys of twelve and
thirteen, but year or two older, out
from the care placed over US by our
fatner. What were We to do, indeed?
l had often dream ed of the time when
large game, but it had been by day
light, not in this fearful darkness in
which dozen more wild animals, for
all knew, might be prowling
around US.
Something must be done. Jack held
on to me as approached the opening
of the tent, imploring me not to 60 out,
but ordered him to keep down, and.
with Phil, to see that their rifles were
ready for use. Then stood in the
doorway and fired in miss-or-hit fash
ion, for l could not distinguish the
black object from the thick bushes.
A snorting, snarling growl came In
answer, striking new terror to my
heart. An enraged, wounded animal
might rush at the tent. In desperate
haste [ fired again and still again. as
the boys with trembling hands passed
me their rifles.
1t seemed an age to me, but could
have been but few seconds when our.
foe seemed to roll over. tearing at
bushes and stones, then to scramble TO
his feet, and with angry grunts hurry
away. l could hear his uncoutb sounds
and heavy movements far away in the
still night.
Imade the boys lie down and sat in
the tent door for the remainder of the
night. We had no other alarm, and in
the earliest beams of the morning l
awoke them and set them to work get
ting breakfast. Neither of them ex-
pressed any surprise as they saw me
beginning TO take down the tent. but gave
active help in again packing our stuff
into the canoes.
Say" said Phil, as several hours
later we came in sight of the half
breeds hut. there's no need of saying
anything about our caper TO anybody.
That old half Indian never says three
words at time, and Dan needn't know
we've been away
We all agreed to this suggestion. Dan
came rather late in the day, and favored
our proposition to remain where we
were until the next morning. Then, to
our great relief, he did not go up the
stream, but selected spot for our camp
on the border of the lake. few miles
from the half-breed's dwelling.
One day very soon afterward Dan led
me to long tramp through the thick
woods, coming out at length at the very
spot where we had camped that night.
Even with the July sun beaning upon
it my head smam little as recalled
the terrorS of that night, while my
heart swelled with thankfulness that
my two young brothers had escaped the
threatened danger. Not word did /
say to Dan as | trod over the familiar
ground.
He began carefully following track
made evidently, by clumsy, heavy feet.
Broken bushes, torn heritage and spots
of dried blood marked it. and as | fol-
lowed the hunter around rock he
stopped with an exclamation Of SatiSfac-
ton.
"Humph! thought we'd find him."
There lay an enormous black bear.
Very composedly Dan addressed him
self to the sklnning of it. AS he rolled
the skin into bundle and strapped it
upon his back he turned to me, with
quizzical smile. saying:
You did that pretty WE'LL"
"Did what?' | asked.
''Shot that fellow"
Then, to my amazement, he gave me
an exact account Of all that had taken
place that night, but it was long time
before could persuade him to tell me
how he had learned it.
The half-breed, OH whose taciturnity
we had relied, had been left by our
faithful old caretaker with strict in
functions not to loose sight of US young
madcaps. He had followed us at dis
lance in his canoe, and at night,
wrapped in his blanket, had slept in it
not twenty yards from our tent
Observing Dams orders not to in
terfere unless it became positively nee
essary, he had, with trigger cooked,
observed all that went on, and with our
first motion toward breaking camp in
the morning had silently padded down
the stream.
Well. that's all, boys. For long time
preferred to hear very little OF my
nights adventure, but as gradually
learned that Dan looked upon me as
having done my best grew to feel
little proud of my first bear. But there
is no getting around the fact, you see.
that it was more bear hunting me than
hunting bear.