The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-02-10

again. in terror.
Then holnppeurcd just at the bend
of the mounsNn path whistling cheer
lily and with Spot leaping and barking
at his heels. But where was the
baby?
For he had called out to her TO give
him the child as soon rs he had caught
sight of her, and David was not given
to fooling. She could not answer for
her sobbing and crying.
Lucy tried TO tell him the arrange
story. When she said, "a big, black.
shaggy man." he threw himself on the
ground, examining every mark. Spot
smellcd too, aud his yellow hair be-
gan to bristle with rage, and he
growled fcrcely, for there we're sure
ly the recent footprints OF some large
animal.
"Motber, run back aud rouse the
neighbors. Tell 'em TO bring their
rifles" and, breaking of n stout stick.
David dashed into the bushes, Spot
springing in front and leading the
| chase.
Once David thought he heard half
stifled baby's cry and hurried faster.
For "common-sized" boy, he was
making good speed; but Madam Bruin
was on the home stretch, and she knew
| il.
At last he caught glimpse Of
big, clumsy, dark form, trotting
briskly along with what seemed like
bundle dangling from its mouth. He
was none too soon. The cave in which
the little black cubs rolled about, i'm
patient for their supper, was but
hundred yards or SO distant. He
thought she must bo near home by
her quickened gait, and he know, If
she ever got the baby inside its black,
yawning mouth, there would be no
hope of bringing it out alive.
With the energy of despair he
darted forward and gave tho bear u
sharp blow over the nose with his long
stick. Spot closed in at the same
moment, yclping and swapping nt her
legs.
The huge beast, onraged but not
| 4. ,,,lN o., aNt
dropped the baby, and reared up on
her hind legs. looking in the mingled
moonlight and shadow SO like a human
figure that David did not wonder after
ward at his mothers mistake. She
showed her sharp. white teeth with n
fierce snarl, and stretched out her
forepaws for grnpple. Sho was
near her own babies now, and she
meant fight.
David looked at the precious bun.
die. 1t lay just under the creatures s
terrible claws, and to attempt to pick
it up would have placed him utterly
at the bears mercy, unless her atten-
ton could be- diverted.
AT her, Spot! at her, good dog"
he shouted; and again he rained a
shower of blows on her eyes and nose
10 quick and fierce that, blinded and
confused for the instant, she backed a
step or two, growing horribly.
Spot inflicted sharp bito on her,
hind quarter. and she turned her head.
1t was his only chance. Quick rs q
flash he seized the baby and fed, leav.
ing poor Spot to receive terrific blow
from the brute's paws, at which he
too, broke aud ran, the blood stream.
ing from his wound, and bowling al
every jump.
Halfway down the mountain they
met the Martins with dogs and torch
es. The bear, after u fierce fight was
brought to bay aud killed, and the
cubs taken captive.
| Old Martin united with rough but
trembling fingers the knot ho had
laughed at--the knot which had saved
the baby's soft limbs from the bears
teeth. David hardly dared to be GER
tain that he had heard cry in his
headlong flight; but when they had
unwrapped fold after fold and unfas-
tened the veil, there lay the baby
"Duvid's baby" now, without doubt
or question-.as rosy and fresh Ms a
Aower-bud, its big blue eyes full ol
wonder and fright, but ready to smile
at tho first sight of David.
David was moro his mothers hero
than ever. She never told the story
without adding:
Sand he was jest n common.sized