River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-01-26

bear upon him. The fierce beast struck
him one blow with her paw, which,
had it reached his head. would certain
" have ended his chain-carrying for all
time; but it hit his arm instead,
wrenched his shoulder, and tore his
sleeve and the skin beneath it
The bears nose was at his throat.
where the sharp teeth would have
quickly ended Jim's career had not a
stone, thrown by one OF the men. struck
the brute in the ribs and drawn her at
tentiou to the other assaIlants.
The party rallied promptly to their
comrades and, and attacked the bear
with axes, surveying STATS, stones,
clubs. anything they could snatch up
hastily TO use as a weapon. ReIln-
gushing her victim, the bear slowly
retreated. turning from time to time 70
dash at the nearest pursuers.
For several minutes it was all that
the party, acting together, could do to
keep her away from them At last a
lighlwOOd knot. thrown by one of
them, hit her on the nose, and the
beast fell in a heap. The blow had
knocked the fight out Of her, but she
was up again in moment. and lost no
time in taking to the bushes, in which
she quickly disappeared.
The party now had time to look for
Ephraim. for whose safety they had
many fears They searched the under
growth on every side. dreading to find
his mangled body. They called and
shouted. but no answer came. Pres
emily Ed Mason called out:
"Well, If there isn't Eph now, mp by
the transit.''
The rear staffman had remained near
the bear no longer than il took him to
get clear of the entangling vines. Then
he continued his flight. taking a round
about course with the object of strik
ing the line again as near as possible
10 the transit party.
Reaching the stream he splashed aud
waded across it. and kept onward until
finally. muddy and dripping. he arrived
at the Instrument lie was astOnished
to fiud 1t standing deserted; but, sighting
through the telescope. he presently dis
covered the party back at the station
he had quilted
They were flying around as If they
were having great deal Of trouble of
some kind. and he rightly guessed that
they had found the bear
Matters having quieted down at the
rear station, the party gathered about
the point were gazing along the line to
the transit, through which Ephraim
was peering Even aS they looked
huge black form burst from the woods
into the path about half way to the in
strument and went toward il. while
the cry arose from the party:
The bear. The bear. There she is
araiur'
The rear staffman was congratulate
iug himself that his comrades were
having Il out with the bear. while he
was safe, when Bruin appeared in the
path. coming toward him at full tilt. as
Il determined TO join company with
him once more
The animals black head and rump
rose and fell like a seesaw as the crea-
ture galloped onward. with mouth
open, tongue hanging ont and small
eyes snappy and fiery. To the lueiSless
staffman's eyes the beast grew larger
and larger. until its proportions seemed
elephautlne.
Ephraim looked despairingly about
for place Of refuge. but saw none II
would be useless 20 take TO a tree
The bear. he knew, was the better
climber OF the TWO. and il he remained
on the ground the creature could out
run him
He felt greatly the need OF human
society just then, and 10 secure it
dodged out Of the path. and made for