The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-24

position against the fence and fell to
work once more.
We had made our way across the
field. cutting five rows of corn as we
went along and binding it up in
shocks, and we were perhaps two
thirds Of the way back, when I saw
Frank suddenly quit work. drop an
armful of cornstalks and stare straight
ahead Of him. like Que fascinated,
While his lower jaw dropped and the
color fled from his face, leaving it
white as a sheet.
Look. Tom, look!" he gasped, point
ing behind me, and, turning quickly on
my heel, l saw the sight that had af-
fected Frank SO strangely, d sight, by
the way which was calculated to shake
the nerves of almost anybody situated
as we We're. a big black bear a regu-
lar monster in size, had climbed the
fence and was coolly smiling about our
weapons. Bruin had stolen a march
on us at last.
We've got ourselves in a nice box
now groaned Frank. why on earth
didn't we know enough to leave one of
the guns at the other side of the field?"
sure enough; why didn't we?"
echoed /
Don't know, I'm sure, but if I get
out OF this scrape alive I'll never be
caught in the same way again. An
idiot could have told us better than to
leave both Of the guns in the same
place. l say, Toni
We'll, what is t?''
Our only chance is to sneak back in
the corn out of sight and then take leg
We've got to take the back track, and
the sooner we start the better
A retreat, however. was easier
planned than carried out That bear
had his eye on us, and the moment we
bsSan to hedge away he gave a hoarse
growl and started in our direction.
Come on, Toni shouted Frank.
heading for rugged oak, which stood
alone near the center of the field.
Make for the tree. That's the best
we can do. We can't reach the house
before he overtakes U.S."
Frank was right. The bear was a
better long distance runner than we
and would have easily overhauled US
If we had attempted to reach the house.
Even on the short distance to the tree
the huge beast gave us a race that was
entirely too close to be comfortable
Frank reached the oak first and hastily
climbed up into the branches, but as I
followed suit 1 could hear the bear
puillng and grunting right at my heels.
and l think no affidavit will be needed
to back UP the statement when I saw
that the sensation was anything but an
agreeable one
As l grasped the lowest branch and
swung myself up out of reach. Master
Bruin stood up on his hind feet and.
reaching up with his fOrepaws. raked
OH a yard or SO of bark from the snot
where my legs had been dangling but
an instant before. Then. having
frightened me out of the few SCATTERING
wits / had left. he squatted down at
the loot OF the tree, apparently to rest
and reflect
Say, Tom" called Frank from his
percn above me, there is one little fact
| forgot about when we took TO This
tree and that is that climbing a tree is
q regular picnic for a bear"
Don't mention it," said L COR. at
least now that you have mentioned if
You might trade places with a fellow. !
don't want to be the first TO meet him
II he comes UP here
can't say that / do, either" replied
rank Tell You what, I'd give almost
a dollar if had my gun here
Seems TO me that is pretty low
pa under the circumstances. I'd give
81 Cor mine.
might have made higher offer
u l had thought that money would
bring 1t, but it strikes me if get that
sun III have to go after it myself"
HcW can you do that? Butt. of
course, you are only fooling.' "
NO. ! am not. I've got the thing all
Planned out, and see now that in
stead OF that bear having us in a tran
we've got him right where we want
nm This is the way we'll work IT
W men he begins to climb the tree. YOU
start climbing, too, and keep him fol-
lowing after you. while I slide out to
the end of the limb 1 am on, droD ont
10 the end OF the limb am on. droD To
the ground. scoOt over to the fence and
Se1 one of the guns, and then hurry
DacK and shoot the bear of course
you Ve got to lock sharp and keen ont
Oh range of his claws until I get back
Think you can do ito"
III try my best, if you say so. but
almost believe I'd rather go after the
gun and let you stay and keep the bear
company until 1 get back. In fact, I'm
sure I would
can't be helped. Tom; it's too late
10 change plans now. There he comesl
Look out for yourself: I'm off"
Thus shouted Frank at the same
time working himself swiftly along to
The end of the branch on which he had
been sitting, where he hung suspended
by his hands for an instant, and then
dropped safely to the ground