The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-12
BEslr Br DEAR AND FIRE.
The Trouisie Peter Nelson Found on II
Hands ut Oae Time In the Michigan Wood,

woods bounding his clearing on the west side.
but tho first thing he knew no had fight with
both fire and bears on his hands," said a resi-
don't OF Cortland. this State. who hunts annu-
ally in tho Michigan woods.
There had been forest fires Of more or less
extent in the vicinity for several days. and at
last Nelson discovered that they we're en-
croaching rather near TO his clearing. no he
hooked his horse TO his blackboard and drove
up tho road that would take him within two or
three hundred yards OF tho burning bush.
whore. by bnck firing judiciously. he thought
no could remove all danger from tho
advancing flames. Whenever any ono starts to
travel two or three miles through that wild
country he takes his Winchester with him IL
he has one and II no hasn't one. any kind Of
gun he has. for game is thick out thore. and n
person Is liable at almo st any moment to run
across deer or a bear or WOLF or have ono
run across him. So Nelson took his Winchester
along. He had to drive about mile and
half before no came to the narrow piece OF
woods lying between the road and tho burning
timber. and which lie intended to cross to
reach the latter to fight the fire. Just as he
reached that narrow strip ho saw two little
bear cuba tumble out OF the bushes at that
side OF the road and continue the rough and
tumble play they had begun in the woods.
At sight OF tho cubs Nelson stopped his
horse Tho black and shaggy little bears
looked so cute that Nelson couldn't resist tho
temptation to capture them alive. He got out
OF his wagon. leaving his rifle leaning against
the seat. But the cubs didn't want to be cap
tured. and. at the approach OF Nelson. ran
into the woods on the side OF the road oppo-
site the one they had Just appeared on. as fast
MS their fat little legs would carry them Nell
son followed. but the cubs got two or three
rods he do hafo ha
He grabbed one OF them. and was about to
seize the other ono when he heard savage
growl In the bushes ahead OF him. and the
next instant the mother OF the cubs came
crashing along toward him. She was not
forty GETAWAY. when Nelson dropped the cubs
and made double-Quick time for the road. the
bear only few jumps behind him.
There are not many horses that will not
become terror stricken ut the proximity OF a
bear. and the mere scent OF bruin will throw
some horses into panic. Nelson's horse was
one OF the timorous kind. and its owner
reached tho road just in time to see the fright
ened animal tearing down the road and the
blackboard careening and jolting over the
rough way in manner that left little hope for
its lasting long. But Nelson had no time to
bemoan tho running away OF his horse. for the
savage and angry old bear was close behind
him and getting nearer Mt every jump. Nell
son cleared the road almost ut bound for he
knew he could not outrun the bear IL he kept
In the road. and. taking the first tree he came
to. was up in its branches out Of reach Of the
bear before he knew 1t. and without any clear
idea Of how he got there.
The tree was not more than eight inches
through. and consequently too small for the
bear to climb. That increased her fury.
Ordinarily. a she bear with cubs Is satisfied
with encompassing the safety Of her offspring
by putting to flight the foe that endangered
them. and loses no time in putting distance
between her and her family and the threaten
Ing ioe But this one was not inclined that |
way. Her temper was evidently naturally |
ugly; the interference with her cubs had in
creased that uGiness tenfold: the freeing OF |
the object of her rage in tree so small that |
she could not follow him added to 1t in |
Ike degree. Sho made the most desperate |
efforts to climb the sapling in vain.
She CRASHED it with her great teeth. tearing
out great chips and splinters. threatening the
sta bility OF the trunk. much TO tho alarm of
Nelson. She dug away the earth at the roots
II the tree. scooping out great holows as II
she intended to uproot it and topple 1t and her
oe to the ground together. accompanying her
work with the most frightful cries Of rage.
For ten or fifteen minutes the bear varied
Nelson. and those minutes had been 80 full OF
error ana excitement to the latter that all
bought Of what he had come out there to do
lad left his mind. Finally 1t came to him and
increased his uneasiness. 1t had been half an
our or more since he left home. He noticed
hat a strong wind right out OF the west had
ONE up. The air had been full OF smoke all
ay. but. as that had been the case for many
avs. it had not caused him any unusual |
pprehenson. But as he gradually re-
overed from the excitement OF the
ears pursuit. seeing that he was safe
rom her in the tree. he noticed that
he smoke had grown much denser. 1t
'as so dense at the height he was from tho
oticed with increasing alarm that it was
harGed with heat. which came, in puffs and
10 knew what that meant. The wind had
tnned the wood fires to greater vol ume, and
pom the spot where he was held captive by
no bear. SO that it was likely soon to be an in
'lerable place to remain in.
reathe only with difficulty Burning leaves
hd GlHwin. r ttwifs tcsaG to iHl upon and
here the bear with her cubs at her heels. had
rouched low. with her nose close to the
round. She was detcrminee!d to wait for VEN
tronGer. The roar OF the advancing flames
louder and louder TO FtS n.rd longer
lTeo WAS lnpoSsIDic. nero WAS |
o chance for life there There was
fighting chance for 1t with the bear {
aking mis- hcSknife from his pocket {
nd open ing It. Nelson slid quic ky to the low j
st branch OF the tree. and swinging himself
ON it. struck the ground three or four feet c
eyond the bear. and made y dash for the t
Dad. Tho bear with her head thrust against
10 ground. was taken by surprise. but she I
as up ami after Nelson so quickly that he (
ad but four or five yards the start OF her. (
ut terror almost gave him wings. lie gained a
ms lmplacnhle pursucr burning leaves /
nd branches fell thicRly about h i'm.
The heat was intense. But on he sped gain q
e slowly but surely on the bear. To his hor-
'r the heat grew flerceras no advanced, There
as but one explanation for that The fire /
ad greater Roadway in that direction. and
as approaching nearer the road there. Sud. t
hnly In turning a sharp bend in tho road. n
elson stopped, There was no thoronghfare Q
rthsr. The flames had reached the road +
OF nifty wards ahend. leaped across 1t. and n I
all OF roaring flame barred the way, Nelson I
rnHd and looked behind him. The bear was n
~ slouching in tireless gait on NJ is track. ii
10 remain Mt that spot ten minutes. perhaps 4
So, meant tho most horrible OF deaths. In
tort time the flames would roach the road II
ong the part OF it that he mad come and shut s
IN on from escape in that direction. The Z
pods on the opposite side offered no avenue 8
escape. for they were but narrow strip OF q
ender growth between the road and rocky b