Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-04-22
AL GA z WITH IA BEAR

nOnyOOk, thought would go down ana
catch some fish for mother. rs. >5
was hunting up my fishing tackle when
little Paul discovered what was about, and
came running out after me. !.
"Oh, Nevil," he begged, ttake me with you,
pleased .s.s. E-.s.2.. + j. -a 80
! No one in our house can refuse Paul any
thing, SO, of course, after awhile, consent
ed. Mother wrapped him up warm and
gave him something to eat in small tin pail
in case he should be hungry, and presently
we were jogging along narrow patch
through the great pine forest that lay be-
tween our place and the lake:
> Paul, sturdy little fellow, enjoyed the
tramp extremely, and sang and shouted
and drummed on the tin pail until the silent
wood rang again.
We had gone but little way when Luke
hurry, an old hunter and trapper, met US.
He came striding along, gun over his Shout
der, a fox skin at his belt, and Bruce, his big,
brown setter, trotting at his'heels.
"Going a-fshing?" said he, looking at VI
and smiling.
II said Yes and then we stood talking
for moment and watching Paul, who was
Juggling at the cover of his tin pail.
Hungry already?" asked him.
NO." said he, but Bruce is, and want
to give him some of my bread and honey"
He wrenched off the cover at last and be-
gan feeding the dog.
Presently Luke hurry called out: 'That
will do, Paul. You will have none for your
self. Bruce is as fond of bread and honey
as bear. Talking about BEARS he said,
turning to me, zone of those rascals must
have been reused from his long winter nap.
I saw some fresh tracks out yonder. Keep
a good lookout. They are dangerous this
time of year,
thought very little of the hunters words
until he was out of sight. Then I began
to wish that had left Paul at home
When we reached the margin of the Shan
nonyook Paul discovered an old, water
logged scow lying half in and half out of the
river. The sun shone brightly down upon
the spot, and he was so delighted with the
boat that left him to play while went in
search Of good place for fishing, intending
to keep him in sight all the time.
For some distance there was fringe of
ice along the shore, but after walking on a
little way came to large rock, upon which
/ clambered and cast my line far out into the
stream.
''This will do" thought. Then I sud-
denly remembered Paul and turned to
look for him, but found that curve in the
bank hid the old scow from sight. Thought,
however, that he would be perfectly safe
while threw in my line few times.
But l soon forgot all about him, for
scarcely had my hook touched the water
when it was seized by large fish. Then I
went on batting my hook and pulling out the
fish, SO astonished and delighted with my
success that never noticed how the time
was slipping away.
Suddenly was startled from my pleasant
occupation by cry for help which chilled
my blood, as the cold had not done, for it
was in Paul's voice. | sprang to my feet
and saw the old scow swirling round the
curve with my little brother crouching in
the stern, and in the bow something that
seemed like an enormous piece of oakum, but
as looked saw it move; then knew it was
bear, one Of the largest had ever seen.
l did not call to Paul to jump out into the
water for fear he might be crushed to death
in the ice. Neither did dare to swim out
to him for fear might be drawn under, and
so leave him alone with the monster. Twas
trembling all over, but managed to keep pace
with the boat, which moved along only few
yards from shore, sometimes gliding smooth.
ly in clear water, sometimes retarded by the
broken ice, but always making it's way to-
ward a narrow spot, where the Shannonyool,
fell over great wall of rock more than 80
feet high.
We were so near the fall now that could
hear the water and ice laundering over into
the gulf below, and could see the spray that
arose into the chill air like smoke from q
great chimney.
I observed just beyond a long, frozen
point, or spur, which extended far out from
the bank. If could reach it thought
might be able to help Paul somehow.
could not clearly determine how, but
would try.
I raced along, making great leaps over
the uneven, lumpy surface. heard the ice
crack and give way beneath my feet, but
only ran the faster. As / reached the very
outer edge that would sustain my weight the
boat, with it's passengers, suddenly came to
standstill, caught between two great cakes
of ice. I saw the bear stretch it's great paw
again, and now I knew that he was trying
to snatch the little tin pail Paul was clasp.
ing in both arms.
I don't know what made me suddenly
think of my rod and line, which I had car.
ried along with me so far unconsciously.
now determined to try if it would reach the
boat, and, running out the very farthest
spot on the ice which would bear me, I'd
fling the line toward the boat.
cannot remember how many times I tried
to make the throw. My hands trembled,
and there was thick mist before my eyes,
while Paul merely: looked at me dazedly, a
If he did not even see me.
However, I succeeded at last just as the
ice parted and freed the scow, and then Paul
dropped the pail and snatched wildly at my
line. The kettle rolled along the bottom Of
tho scow. In an instant the. monster wa
busy slawipg at the coyer trying to get Il
~ e6htent9, 6narlihg, growing and shifting
% rags st biz failures -: ~
I drew the boat along toward me, while
Paul chung to the end of my stout fishing
line, pulled with such force in my haste
t2 rescue my little brother from hi9 danger
86s companion that the Old, numbering scow
almost overturned es it struck the ice at my
feet, yt5
S / held out my arms, and Paul sprana
into them; then gave the boat such Wig.
orous kick that it slid out into the current,
and, without waiting to see what became Of
the bear, hurried back to the shore.
Paul chung to my neck in silence until
placed him on the firm ground. Then, with
tear-6lled eyes and trembling lips, he looked