The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-10-07

on some overhanging ledge you would
be glad that you were safely housed
Robert was always fastidious fellow
in regard to food, and did not relish our
camp fair. Taking his tin plate of baked
pork and beans in one hand and a cup of
sap coffee in the other, he sat on box
by the fire and pretended to eat.
Its no use," he said at last. Pork
and beans are not TO my TASTE"
You'd rather have cream biscuit and
maple syrup, eh, Rob?" l asked.
"Who wouldn't? Don't pretend to be
an anchorite, Johnny, cause you're
not he growled.
Rob could never bear to be laughed at,
so said no more, and going to the door
he threw the contents of his plate on the
snow. Standing a moment to take look
at the sky, his attention was attracted by
what he thought to be our big New
Foundland dog, standing near a huge,
low-limed maple and helping himself to
sap.
Here, Carlo, come here, sirl" he ex-
claimed. "What are you doing so far
from homer"
But the animal, instead of coming into
camp, moved away few steps, uttered
low growl, and then turned toward him
again. Robert did not stop to look twice,
but ran for shelter as fast as possible.
''Tt's bear, Johnny, as sure as you
Gvel" he exclaimed.
We fastened ourselves in, and then
looked to our rifles to make sure that
they were in good order In the middle
of our plank door was set little sliding
window about eight inches square.
Through this we could see the bear help
ing himself to sap, and occasionally sniff
ing in our direction. Presently he came
up the path we had made through the
snow, shifting at the footprints and
growing savagely. Finding Rob's sup
per he ate it with great relish, then adj
vanced to pay us a call.
1t was so warm and the steam so dense
that we had opened the little window in
the door, and through this he could
smell the sweet syrup. We would have
given him token of our regard in the
shape of cold lead then and there, but
full grown bear, if wounded, is desper-
ate fighter; if we did not kill him at the
first shot, he might do us serious
harm.
just as we were on the point of trying
our luck with him he climed the rock at
the side of the camp and thrust his paw
between the bars. Rob caught up
piece of salt pork and held it temptingly
near his nose, while sprang up on a box
thrust the barrel of my rifle into his face
and fired. l was too excited to take
careful aim, but it was impossible to
miss, as the animals broad breast cover
ed the window. AS 1 fired he sprang
back and reached around to the front of
the cabin, where he dropped like stone.
The moon was hidden by clouds now,
and it was raining. We could only see
black heap in the snow, and knew that
the bear was dead, as he had not moved
since he fell.
''Shall you leave him there till morn
ing, johnny" asked Rob, now greatly
excited.
"No--we'll dress him at once"
We cleared the floor, replenished the
sap pans, and then sharpened our knives
and made ready for our task. We were
going to drag Bruin into camp and dress
him by the light of our lantern, which
we hung on a beam overhead. Just as
we opened the door we heard fearful
screech from the ledge almost above us.
You may be sure we were not long in
getting inside and closing the door! At
the same instant heavy body dropped
on the roof of our camp and sprang off
to the ground where lay the bear. 1t
was panther, attracted by the smell of
fresh blood, and he was speedily followed
by another.
1t was hard to have our game devoured
before our very eyes, but we were oblig-
ed to submit to it, for there was no
knowing how many of the savage beasts
might be near. We listened in fear and
trembling to the savage snarls and the
sound of crunching bones until nearly
daylight Then all became still, and
after peeping through the little window
and seeing nothing, we ventured to retire
to rest.
In the morning handful of bones was
all that remained of Bruin. That night
we slept at home.
Camping out is all very WE'LL" said
Rob, but when bears and panthers in
dulge in nightly serenades you will ex-
| cuse me, if Won pleaser'