Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-08-16

October we were Cncamped OH Poplar
creek. tributary omptying into the
Missouri from the north, about 90 miles
distant from Fort Buiord.
Our instructions required US to re-
main here until further orders should be
received. and during these few days that
we lay idle in camp the men amused
themselves in various ways, but princi-
pally by organizing short hunting expe-
ditions into the surrounding country.
Our chief of tcamsters was Henry
Morgan, u good all found shot and one
who had moro than once brought down
big game by his skill. He started off
alone one morning just rs mild biz
gard began to fly and openly declared
that when he returned he would bring
an antelope or deer back with him,
and perhaps both
We saw him disappear in tho dircc-
ton Of Mill creek with his rife over
his shoulder, but the narrative of his
subsequent movements Is best told by
himself
Il had gone perhaps three miles up
the creek, and had rs yet seen no signs
of any wild animal, when all at once
from behind a cottonwood log near a
thick bunch OF undCrbrush Il long cared
cottontail rabbit loapod nimhly into
sight and the next moment my shot
laid him low.
II hurried over 10 the spot and was
leaning over 10 examine the animal
when felt crash as if tho whole cam
yon had exploded, and as | tumbled
over III the snow my fast departing
senses recognized huge silver tip bear,
whose powerful paw had been the au-
thor of my mischief
Il lay there half stunned and badly
bruised, with Just enough conscious
ness left to observe what was going on
around me.
The old bear noscd ana rolled me
about, and finally succeeded in pushing
and dragging me about 20 feet; then she
pushed me down into a waghout Of the
creek bottom and paved away until she
had me almost covered with snow,
brush and other trash ! had now re.
covered my senses, hut IS could easily
breathe through the loose pile that COW
cred rae | thought 1t safest to lie still
and await the outcome.
Completing my funeral arrange
ments, the bear walked about and shifted
few times suspiciously at the spot;
then by the sound of her satisfied snarls
and growls growing fainter and less
distinct l knew that she was moving
off.
"When l considered she was far
enough away, / scrambled out Of the
hole, shook myself clear Of the trash
and then looked around for my gun.
1T WAS lying safe and littlc damaged
near tho log whore billed the cotton
tail but was somewhat scratched and
chokcd with snow.
Il first cleaned the piece out, placed
it in good order and then went back to
my involuntary grave, where ! found
the tracks made by hrUin to bo quiet
distinct and widely separated, showing
that the beast had gone OF down stream
somewhat in hurry. ! suspected the
old monster would bc back sooner or
later; so, rearranfinc the cavity and re.
storing the brush and trash as naturally
as possible, / retired to a safe position
behind tho cottonwood log, which had
been the scene Of my first disaster, and
sat down TO wait.
''Pcrhaps quarters Of an hour bad
passed when far down the opon | saw
tho old mother with her cubs trotting
merrily at her heels, making MI haste
up stream toward ny place OF conceal
ment. ! kept a. still as death ard scarce
ly hrcathcd, bat got my rifle into posi-
should come within easy range.
ION she came rolling from side TO
side, and then saw that her object
was tic hole in which had been SO un-
tremendously buried.
''She hurried to the spot, growcd
something at tho cubs; then all three
cubs and dam, began paving and scratch.
ing the brush alId trash aside and send.
ing 1t IN 4 perfect shower behind them
Finally tie hole WAS scoopcd out clean.
and then the old one. cvideu .ly compre-
hending that the promised dinner had
escaped, lay back her head and howled
her woes 70 heaven.
This was my first opport unity, and ]
fired with careful aim, the lead striking
her in the lower part Of the neck and
causing her TO pitch heavily forward
By the time had placed bullet in the
fore shoulder Of the largest cub tho
dam, with "A mighty howl. regained her
feet and savagoly began to lick the
wound of her bleeding offspring. was
perfectly cool now, and realizing that
it was a matter of life or death with
me l took another aim while the old
one was poised on her hind legs mop
ping her own wound and sent bullet
through her heart. The younger cub
got away i'll the brush before was ready
for it, but tho large one, who had already
been wounded, l finished with another
shot. "-Philadelphia Times
Bicycle Groom.
Ladies on horseback should always be
attended by a groom, according to the
rules of society. Now the gentleman