Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-07-21


Therefore. the only thing 10 do is tc
bring him down TO U.S."
"How can we do il ?" asked FREQ and
|. in breath.
"Well. boys" replied Charley. u
have a plan. II may be foolish and
very likely won't work; but certainly
it will do no harm TO try it. Fred's
ioboggan. here. is good. wide, strong
one. Now. ! propose that one OF US
climb up there with it. shove IL up. tail
end foremost. on to the shelf Of rock
and leave ii there. with the front end
hanging over the snowbank. Then
| Fred can bleat again and bring the bear
out If he should step on the tobog-
gan and go 10 nosing II. and should get
a little further forward than the
balancing -point-Whish. don't you see.
the thing would tip up and plunge for
ward and bring Mr.. Bear coasilng
down that spowbank faster shan he
ever vent before IL ais lifs:.-
"Hurrahi- cried Fred an1 !. II
chorus. 1T might work-of course II
might And If il did. we could shoot
the old fellow al The foot OF the hill.
before he got the snow out Of his eyes
but who'll 60 up with The .obog-
gar? ?" asked Fred. II want to save my
wind for bleating."
And want 10 have my nerves
steady enough 10 aim this big ,en-bore
gun Of fathers" said /.
"Humph! I'll go up with the tobog-
gan!" cried Charley. THE bear isn't
likely to come out until Fred beats.
anyway, and then I'll be down the hill
again. You fellows keep the dog back.
and don't make any more noise than
you can help"
Fred and | heaved 4 sigh Of relief as
Charley took hold Of the toboggar
rope. and began slowly TO ''sidle" his
way up the steep snowbank. 1t was a
long and difficult climb. and our adven-
turous companion had to stop and rest
q good many times before he came up
abreast of the shelf OF rock In frcnt or
the cave.
II was critical and exciting moment.
as he lifted the toboggan and began 10
slide ii gently up on the ledge. Our
hearts beat fast, and we were full of
silent admiration Of our chum's BRAY
cry.
The feat was accomplished. however.
without interruption on Bruins part.
and Charley came plunging down to us
again. with look of pardonable tri-
umph on his flushed face. "Now.
Fred. you bleat!" he said. as be reached
the foot of the incline. and turnedNto
look up at the cave "Myl IL was
tcklish. But the toboggan sets just
right for the old fellow TO step on l;
and get a rde-doesn't it?"
We heartily agreed that II did The
forward part of the toboggan overhure
the shelf nearly three feet. and It was
so delicately balanced that the slight
est weight beyond its center Of gravity
would send il shooting down the in
cline.
Fred began 10 beat most persuasive
ly. This time. however. Bruin cid not
respond Immediately. and we began to
fear he was too wise TO be fooled sec
ond time. At last. however. he came
waddling out. The toboggan attracted
his attention at once, and he proceeded
20 investigate II. He smelled lightly
ard suspicious'y along its edge until he
could 60 no further. Then he del;bcr-
aiely stepped upon It, intending 10
cross to the other side. and continue
bis investigations there.
But the moment the bear stepped or
the forward part OF the toboggan.
down went that end AID up came the
other end. and before Drum could take
4 realizing sense of what had happened
he was lying upon his side on that long
WOODEN thing. ard whizzing down the
bank ike an arrow from bowl
How funny he looked. spuwled oui
there. with bis two hind legs dragging
n the snow. and his as;onished black
face just psering over thecurled dasher.
| have laughed many time al the rec
election Of that picture; but none of
us laughed just then. II was TOO seri-
ous matter when big. angry bear
was sailing down upon us. and we had
only two charges apiece in our old-flsh
ioned. muzzle-load;ng guns.
The toboggan slowed. shot past US
within a few feet. whizzed across the
bed of the brook and dashed into the
bank with a thud. Bruin |
keeled off. head over heels. and landed |
III in a heap in the powdery snow. As
be lay there for 4 moment. sprawlinp |
aud snoring. Charley cried. in a clear
firm voice: "Fire,"
Three tremendous reports rang out or
the winter air; for each of the Old muz,
,le-loaders had "four-fnger charge"
10 it. 4 perfect hailstorm Of buck
hot at short range tore its way to the
exposed vitals Of the laundering bear
Ind, without ever regaining its feet. the
bewildered and mortally woundedcrea
ure turned convulsively upon its side
Ind was dead.
Then what shouts Of mingled triumph
ind laughter arose from the successful
luntersi We keeled over 10 the snow.
ind kicked our heels above our heads: