The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-10-22
A BEAR STORY.

Hudson's Bay is not, perhaps, the
pleasantest of places in the depth of
winter. That is, however, the time
when it presents most attractions to
those who visit it, for the cold drives
the animals from their hiding places,
and the difficulty Of finding anything
to eat. makes them bold in the pur-
suit of food. even to the extent of
matching it from the jaws of a trap.
a small party Of trappers were seat
"a around a campfire one night, a few
ears ago. They had a blaze big
enough to attract all the animals OF
fuel cost nothing.
II saw bear tracks to-day" remark
ed Coppee, a French Canadian. Il
shall hunt him tomorrow"
You're always seeing tracks," said
Martin, burly Englishman, but you
never seem to come up with the bear.
Foxes are more in your line"
Coppee looked as if he would like to
have retorted with more than words.
But he was a goodnatured little fell
low, and could make allowance for
Martins want of amiability.
II shall try and find this one" was
his reply.
His eye twinlCled with joyful antici-
patton, for he had discovered the home
of the bear-a discovery which he
meant to keep secret.
you can't go tomorrow, Coppee,"
put in Hopkins an American. You're
to go to the cache. The agent will be
along SOON"
"Ah, so I have" replied Coppee, do
lorously. Never mind; my bear will
keep for day or two"
Where's his den?" inquired Martin,
carelessly.
"Ah. wouldn't you like to know"
was Coppee's evasive reply. mo, my
friend, | mean 10 pay my morning call
by himself"
That bear will live a lonely life,
Then-that's all l can say" answered
Martin, rising 10 throw more pine
knots on the fire.
1--WE shall see" said Coppee. "Only
don't expect paw all to yourself when
/ bring the skin home"
I'll eat the skin when you bring it,"
responded Martin, laughing.
Coppee made no reply, but his face
showed the determination to carry out
his intention of killing Bruin.
Soon after all the trappers rolled
themselves in their blankets and drop
ped off to sleep.
They woke early. The fire still
smouldered. They made a hunters
breakfast. and each prepared to go
his own direction.
Where are you off. Martini" asked
Hopkins.
up the ravine. shall be back
early to-day. Look out for that bear.
Coppee."
Il shall not call on him to-day, I'm
off for the cache"
well, it's all the same for the bear"
was Martins remark, as he shouldered
his gun and strobe off.
Coppee gave one of his light-hearted
laughs and started in the opposite di-
rection.
He is angry that he did not find the
tracks himself" he thought. poor
Martini he has had bad luck this sea-
son. So have I, though. till now; but
when I've shot this bear shan't be
able to complain"
He walked rapidly along, for he had
a long journey before him. The
CdOHe ne WIS dDOuI 10 NlSlJ was
hole beside a tree, carefully boarded
up and covered over. In this were
hidden the skins Of the animals they
captured.
At stated times the companys agent
came around and took them away One
of his visits was nearly due, and Cop
pee had to make a preliminary inspec-
tion of the cache.
He was about four miles from the
camp, swinging along with a hunters
stride, when he stopped as If he had
been shot.
a minute after he was retracing his
steps at a long trot. An unwelcome
thought had struck him.
Martin had said that he was going to
the ravine. Coppee knew that the ra-
vine meant certain gorge between
some rocky hills, part of the district
which Martin rarely visited. 1t was
TO this very rayine that he had tracked
the bear on the previous day.
BY this time it was quite possible
Martin had come across the tracks,
md. foraoklng his traps, had set OFF
o trace where they led If so, he
would never rest content till he had
killed the bear. And that bear fairly
belonged TO him, Coppee.
That would never do. How could
2 endure the chaf Of the camp after
is TRADE Of the previous evening? No;
re was resolved that. come what might
lie would be first on the spot, and not
leave to Martin the chance of killing
re largest besr he had seen signs OF
during the whole season.
80 tho little Frenchman plowed his
Nay along, taking a short cut through
Ac woods. What was it made him
rauga for q moment and then redouble
It's pace?
was this He remembered sud-
denly that all the tracks leading to the