The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14

growing feint toward where Tim lay
Seeing that he was motionless, however
she returned to her cub, licking it and try
ing to raise it, but unable to do so on ac
count of the wound in her bleeding shoul
der.
Come down here, We cussed coward, an
git yer CUR" groaned Tim.
Thus adjured, Joe came few steps down
the rock, but the bear gave a warning
growl and start in his direction that sent
him back to his secure ledge.
81 can't git it without her springin' onter
me,' he exclaimed. "They's no kinder
use my gittin' chewed up, Tim, twon't
help you any, With a muttered curse
Tim turned his head and as he did so saw
that Joe was making his way cautiously
to a higher shelf of rock.
What in thunder are you doingP" he
demanded. Joe paused, shamefacedly.
81 was thinkin' 1 cud git out this way an
bring ye help from camp" he muttered.
Tim cursed him under his breath, for a
sneak and a coward, and ended by declar-
ing that if he moved another step up the
rock or attemp to leave him he would,
if he ever got out of that hole, blow him
on sight into kingdom come, with never a
chance to say a prayer before he left. Then
again he begged of him to descend for his
rife and shoot the bear.
The fellow, however, was too great a
coward. Crouched upon his ledge of rock
he swore not to desert his friend, but de-
scend into that deathpit he could not and
would not.
shell quit smelling her cub in a minnit
more an come at us again" whispered
Tim in agonized remembrance of the maui
ing he had received. Fer Gods sake
come down. If she kills me I'll hant yer
ter yer dying day."
But even this ghostly threat failed to
conquer the towards terror, and he re-
manned upon his perch. Then Tim en-
deavored to buy his action. He Of
fered him his miners kit, his claim,
the bag of dust hidden in a GER
tain corner of his cabin hearth, but
the fellow still covered upon his ledge, the
grizzly's occasional growls counterbalanc-
professed friendship and his cupldity.
The short autumn afternoon was
wearing to an end. The wind blew chill
up the ravine and, half naked and torn all
but limb from limb, Tim renewed his en-
treaties. After several Intellectual efforts
to raise her cub, the grizzly had finally
laid down beside it, only occasionally rails
ing her head to look around her and
growl. She had not done even this for
dead, Joe," whispered Tim. "Come on
down." But Joe still declined to run into
danger. Throw something down at her,
then, we cussed sneak" roared Tim, grown
fearless through desperation, ian see if she
amt dead" But even this his companion
hesitated to do, lest stung to renewed
fury the creature arise and make q fresh
attack on Tim.
Another hour wore by, and the grizzly
lay motionless, unheeding their voices, ap-
parently sunk in slumber.
Don't you tell me she's asleep" NUT
tered Joe-"a bar don't sleep like that be-
side dead cub. She's just waitin' fer me
ter put in an appearance an then she'll
chaw me up. She's had enough o. you. 1
know the critturs."
But at last when Tim had promised him
the coveted bag of dust if he would but do
it, he ventured to creep along the ledge and
drop stone upon the creature. "You see,
she dead-died O. that wound er the tum-
BILE, " said Tim. "Come down an put an
other bullet in her an satisfy yerse1f Oh,
ye cussed coward, you" as Joe still hest
tated. "Come on, come on, or before God
I'll git up thar myself an heave you over
onter her back"
Despite the evident futility of this threat
1t moved Joe to action or it may have
been the fact which Tim could not observe.
but which he could note from his height,
that two buzzards had alighted in a tall
redwood and were preparing to descend
upon the carcass of the bear that gave him
courage. AT all events he crept softly down
the rock and presently gained his rifle where