The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-10-06


canoe through the water toward the |
spot where something was splashlng
among the rocks. and Phil, who hao
reloaded, was watching for another
shot. as he saw that the bear was des-
parately wounded, though not yet quite
conquered.
AS the canoe neared the spot there
was sudden plunge on the part o. the
animal and the huge bulk vanished
for a moment.
LOST exclaimed Roy.
Before Phil could reply, something
dark and wet rose almost underneath
the ffail canoe. and the next moment
he saw the taffrail in the grip OF
bear. The great paws, looking donbly
formidable in the unsteady lightof the
torch. with the weight Of the bear,
Threatened 90 overturn the boat, ana
the ugly head with wide mouth bleed
ing from the boys shot, was enough
/ 10 send chills Of terror 20 the Nimrods'
! hearts.
Back OFF, cried Phil. as he saw
/ that the canoe was almost among the
rocks and liable 20 be- capsized by their
foe.
Roy sprang anew 20 the paddles, and
as Phil rose in the boat 20 thrust the
rifle into the bears face and terminate
the contest, the animal made desper-
ate effort TO climb aboard
The situation was now full OF peril
and the rocking of the boat in the
swift waters caused the torch 70 scat
ter a rain OF ijre over the devoted boys
and the bear, but the beast only
blinlsed his little eyes and redoubled
his efforts 10 scale the fragile rampant.
Finding that he could not get shot
at the bear as Roy backed the boat on,
phil struck with all his might with the
gun, bringing the heavy stock down
upon the huge head. He shattered
the weapon by the blow, while he APP
parontly left the skull of his antagon-
ist uninjured.
In another movement the bear
lunQed forward again, and the canoe
al the same time striking rock wat
oapsized, splitting its occupants into
the water and putting out the torch
All this happened in second, as Il
seemed, and the boys thus thrown int
the stream, and at the mercy OF thu
bear and current, struggled TO RICH
the canoe and chamber In again
Z After awhile they succeeded, an'
Roy, who was fortunate enough 10 re
tain one paddle, pushed the boat from
: the rocks and sent 1t out into the river
3 where it was caught in swift currcn
a and carried along like feather.
D "This is better than drowning amonl
the rocks-or being eaten mp by tn
/ boar" said Phil, as he looked back
a But we've lost our Thanksgiving bea
t steak, / gueas"
+ Lost the bear?" cried Roy, sharply
q ms his face whitencd. Look yonder
G lie is still clinging to the stern of tn
a boat"
This was true, as could be seen b.
q the moonlight which at that particr
IS lar place fell through the trees upo
A. the eddying waters. The two boy
II stared NJ the homcly head lifted aboy
e the tide and at the sharp claws thu
D. seemed 10 dig their way into I'll
woodwork % stern. The benr held q
K with "A death grip as the current boz
D. the canoe and the young Nimrods RAJ
e. idly down the stream, now narrow
IS missing some half-sunlsen tree, al
lr now nearly capsizing again as re
y. tricd 90 escape a hidden rock.
81 what shall we do2" cried Phil
)r last, as he turned "a frightened face Z
Is ward his companion. THE bear is d
L, termined Go prove our Jonah, and
r. short time we shall reach the falls.
DC "Cut him loose, said Roy. "YC
have your knife, haven't you?"
ID Phil hailed the suggestion with
IT. cry OF joy, and brought from u
oy depths Of his pocket big jack-lSnif
TO and in another moment he leaned
hc ward the bear in their wake.
TO Instead OF striking at the throa
n which was exposed, lac drove the ke'
nc blade into one OF the feet, near q
I'M root of the claws. and drew IL iowa
ng him. The bear growlcd savagely, b
PC Phil bravely faced the beast, and sc
ne cred the other foot likewise.
"a trccl trce!' rang out Ro,
err voice at this moment, and before Pl
er could duck his head the canoe stru
ul- the obstacle In the middle Of the Lit
err Red. and IN n jiffy they were in Z
he water again and struggling 20 era
on the limbs OF the lodged tree.
ng In this they were successful, a
'ut whom they had drawn themselves
lrk among the branches they looked at q
ilo another with grim smiles. They KIN
All that they were destined 10 pass
icd night in the tree, which they did, a
when day came they found thcmscl'
md near O plantation.
ter By dint Of shouting until they WI
As hoarse they made themselves hea
eX- and were rescued by several plan
get tion hands, one Of whom discover
CHI the bear lodged in another tree IA
In tic farther down the river. The a
md NAL was dead, and when he was dra
NJ ashore the boys related their thrill
had experience with his bearship the nil
before
mes A wagon was procured and the hor
the ward journey began, and In ample s
yes, son for dinner the boys arrived W