The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-19
A CRITICAL MOMENT.

keep a sharp lookout for the children,
Susan. See that they don't wander away.
/ have never seen signs of wild beasts so
plenty since we have lived here. Wild cats
and bears seem TO be prowling around night
and day. / don't think they will venture
into the clearing. but il amt safe for any OF
you TO go into the forest"
So spoke Simon Grey to his wife, as he
was about to depart on hunting eXpedi-
tioD.
Il will look out for them. bu sband; they
shan't get from under my eye II L can heip
it. You will find them all safe ana SOUND
when you come back, unless we are mo-
Tested here"
have little fear of that; they wont be
apt to come close 10 the cabin in the day
time, and if ! have good luck shall be
home again before dinner"
Get back as soon as you can; Always
feel a little anxious while you are away"
you needn't worry about me- Now. /
must be of. Be careful, Susan" And
swinging his musket over his shoulder,
Simon crossed the clearing with rapid
strides. and disappeared into the gloom Of
the forest.
His wife watched him until he was
hidden from sight ana then turned to her
work within the cabin. Having dressed
the children, boys of four ana SIX years OF
age. she said warningly:
"YOu must not 20 far from the cabin to-
day. bows. Papa saws that the woods are
full of bears and wild cats that would tear
you to pieces. If you dsObey me he will
punish you when he gets back, if the bears
do not carry you Of.
Cant we 90 out and feed our squirrels ?'
said Harry. the Oldest. They will want
some thing to eat, and we've got lots Of
nuts for them.
Let US go and see them just once"
begged Alick. They are just as cunning
as they can be"
mo. you are not going into the woods
until your father gets back. The squirrels
will have TO find their own nuts to-day,
and / guess they car find them with their
sharp eyes. Remember, you must stay in
sight of the cabin"
Half sullenly the little boys went out to
play. In the edge Of the forest, in a hol-
low. a pair of squirrels were rearing a
family. Harry and Alck fed them with
nuts and other things they liked and they
had become so tame that they would eat
from their hands. Every few moments the
children looked lOngingly in the direction
of the forest where their pets had their
home. They could tell the exact spot, for
near it stood a tail tree.
They became more restless each moment
and it was evident from the glances that
Harry now and then cast within the cabin
that be would Ike 10 escape from his
mothers watchful eyes and hurry away TO
the forbidden ground.
4 :
Rnee relaxed 10 measure. Busy with her
work, the children were for a time forgot
ten. Presently, not hearing their voices,
she went to the door. Evidently they had
disObeyed her and had wandered away.
"Chlldren!' she cried IN tone in which
were blended alarm and reproof. Harry,
where are you? Did l not forbid you to
leave the cabin?"
But the echo Of her own voice was all the
reply she received
Ina ha 4. In
thought. What would Simon say If he
knew? II harm comes to them he will
never forgive me-"
She closed tie cabin-door aud turned her
lace toward the squirrels tree, where she
lett sure she would ind her naughty bows,
As she passed the woOdpile she armed her
self with her husbands at, that she might
have weapon in case 1t was needed.
Then she hurried across the clearing. and
In few minutes gained the outskirts Of the
forest A little farther on was the hollow
tree. AS no sound came from that direc-
ton, she began to fear that the children
We're not there: # not, whittier could they
have wandered?
Silently she crept toward the spot, and to
her Joy saw them stretched upon the ground
feedlng their pets with the nuts they had
gathered on the way. Susan was approach
Ing them hurriedly when suddenly she be-
held an Object which arrested her steps and
seemed TO turn her heart TO ice. a huge bear
t.
hardly dozen yards away.
OEly for moment did she remain mo-
uonless, ana then, graSplng the AK more
firmly IN her hands, she sprang toward her
little ones. The large brute caught sight of
her. and deep and ominOus grOwl came
from his throat. Tie terrified boys sprang
TO their feet; in amOment their mother was
beside them and in mortal fear they buried
their faces IN her garments. Without q
pause the monster came on; when within a
eaf al fNaFg a IL
jaws disended as though he were about to
tear thrm TO pieces
But the intrepid woman did not finch
from the sight; the Cment for action had
come; thrusting the boys from her, she
swung the AK above her head and aimed a
blow at the monster. But it was a fruit
less effort. As the ak descended the aui-
mai struck II with his powerful paw and
sent it flying from her hand.
They were new completely at the mercy
OF The furious brute. Grasping child with
either hand, Susan turned to fee. The
bear came after, close at her heels. She
felt its hot breath close upon her cheek,
and knew that IN moment she must be
stricken down.
Words cannot express the terror that
filed her entire being. If her children
could but be saved. she would willingly give
up her lie. 4 cry of mortal terror rang
from her lips. Loudly it echoed and re-
echoed through the forest air.
each moment might be their last, the sound
OF hnrrying footsteps reached her ear.
Could 1t be that succ0r was coming?
The bear heard the sound and turned
toward the direction whence it came
There was loud report, the whistling of a
bullet, and the huge bear went TO the earth.
taking Susan and the children with it. An
other instant, and Simon Grey stood above
them.
THANK God l am just In time" he eiac-
niated. as be helped his wife and children
to their feet. "a minute more. Susan, and
you and the babies would have been the
prey OF this monster lying here"
yes, Simon" Susan gasped as soon as
she could speak. THANK God, you came %
They were silent for time unable to
suppress their emotion. Finally Susan
asked, still pressing the repentant little
sinners by turns TO her heart
How did you know where to find US.
Sim0np"
when / saw that the cabin was empty. 7
knew at once that these naughty little chaps
must have disobeyed you, and that should
find you all here. was not a moment too
soon. minute later, and a terrible death
would have come TO you ALL"
In after years the rescued ones often told
to friends and strangers the story OF their
deliyerance