Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-11-21

made reprsals on the scattered settlers,
Wolves. too. abounded in the region anu
IN winter their long, dismal howhhg
made the cold nights hideous. Inc Don
can and Taylor boys-Roy ana fhir-nau
been companions from childhoou' "i'u
when their parents settled IN inc heW
country they were in their eiehheh', %
now they could roam the WOODS OF Pauulo
down the Little Red, every now ana then
n;ckinp nm n bear or turkey with their
trusty rifles. 1t was not long before they
became known as the best young Nimroos
In the whole district, and whenever they
started on hunt it was taken Tor grant
ed that they would return with plenty
of game. One evening in Novem-
Der they started for hre Luht
on the river for the purpose Of as fhi eA-
pressed il. dragging THANKSGIVING
bear" 1--WE can float past the big brakes
near the bend" said he, as he laid MS
nroposition before Roy. Tom Hunter,
who came through there the other day,
saw lots of fresh signs, and we may be
able to get big one for tomorrow
feast" Taken with the prospect OF some
exciting adventure, Roy at once acqui-
esced, and the two boys began 10 prepare
for the fire hunt.
The canoe was dragged forth, and the
pine kHOlS lOI NhS eOhNN
made ready.
Taking tho paddle, Roy, with a sharp
lookout along shore, drove the light bark
into the middle of the river, while fnii
under the torch watched the tall canes
thatJined the edge and tried to catch the
frstSight of game.
All at once the paddles in Roy's supple
hands seemed to rest and he glanced a.
his companion. Phil at the same mo
ment had seen what had caught hoy
eve On the right. where the tall canes
seemed TO seek the solitude of the stars
cleaned a pair of intense eyes, very Close
together, and near the ground. III Is oit
Ephraim," whispered Phil as he hovet
his rifle and leaned forward for pettel
look. "We have found our ThanksgiVihi
bear at last.
SLOWLY. with n cool hunters delibera
+;on phil lifted his rifle to his shoulder
and while he watched the shining eyes
Row seemed to hold his breath. In
crack of the weapon awoke the echoe
along shore. and as the smoke lifted Dot
bows leaned forward with eagerness AM
looked toward the shore. You mlsse
himv' cried Roy. mo. Look yonder
The old fellow has tumbled into the wa
ter and is in the death struggle. QulcS
row toward him before the eddy sucks mir
In"
"Iosty' exclaimed Roy, disappointedly
Before Phil could reply something oar
and wet rose almost underneath the IRA
canoe, and the next moment he saw u
taffrail in the grip Of the bear. Inc grea
paws. looking doubly Formidable IN tI
unsteady light of the torch, while u
weight of the bear threatened 10 Owe
turn the boat, and the ugly head, VII
hlaalinp from the boy
shot was enough to SEND chlils OIL lerr'
TO the Nimrod's hearts.
"Back off, cried Phil, as he saw TN
the canoe was almost among the rocR
and liable TO be capsized by their 10
Roy sprang anew to the paddles. and'
Phil rose in the boat to thrust the ri
into the bears face and terminate Z
contest. the animal made a desperate
fort to climb aboard. The situation W
now full of peril. and the rocking or I
boat in the swift waters caused the tor
TO scatter rain of fire over the devot
bows and the bear, but the beast OF
blinked his little eyes and redoubled
efforts to scale the fragile rampant.
Finding that he could not get shot
,ho hear rs Roy backed the boat off, Z
struck with all his might with the q
bringing the heavy stock down upon
huge head. He shattered the weapon
the blow, while he apparently left
skull of his antagonist uninJured. In
other moment the bear lunged forw;
again. and the canoe at the same II
striking rock, was capsized, spilling
occupants into the water and putting
the torch. All this happened in seco
as It seemed, and the boys, thus thro
into the stream and at the mercy OF
bear and current, struggled to right
canoe and Chamber in again.
After awhile they succeeded, and
who was fortunate enough to retain
paddle. pushed the boat from the re
and sent it out into the river, wher
was caught in swift current and
ried along like feather. This is be
than drowning among the rocks-or b.
eaten up by the bear" said Phil, as
looked back. "But we've lost
Thanksgiving bear steak, guess.
the bear!'' cried Roy sharply, as MS
whitened. Look yonder. lie Is
clineinc to the stern of the boat"
This was true. as could be seen by
moonlight, which at that particular |
fell through the trees upon the edd
waters The two boys stared at