The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-06-08

Ae<>S~Ao 49, =
delight. 1t was not David's way to for
get anyone.
Mother, 'spose you take the children
and go with me- ez fur ez Uncle Mar
tins? / don't like leavin' you all
passed. o. wimmen folks" he said, laugh
ing at the very small one on his lap
'by yo'selves all day; and mebPe I'll be
back late"
IT'D be. powerful lonesome here, :
answered his mother, "thet's a fac.
But how would I know when you was
back?" she added, anxiously.
'Why, I'd lowed on meetin' you ut
the dividin' fence bout dusk, and totiri'
the baby fur you. An the moon ID be
UP early; eff git back sooner, I'll come
up ter the cabin, but I'll be sho' ter be
at the fence, by nightfall, anyhow"
Mrs. Brown enjoyed her lor =. neigh
bcrly day, getting new recc pit from
sister Martha, and hearing Cd Martin
say how "peart" the baby was. and
Lucy as rosy as peach blossom. AS
for David, she never wearied in talking
of him, and it was really dusk before
she was fairly started. The dividing
fence,'' q boundary line between two
large tracts of mountain land, was often
used as q trysting place by others than
lovers, and would save David good
many steps.
AS they reached the fence in the
woods a cloud was over the moon, and
it was quite dark; but she could see a
dim figure ON the other side.
david, have you been waitin' long?'
she called out, and handed the baby
over in hurry, turning as she did SC
to see what was the matter with Lucy;
for the child chung to her skirts in
fright, and cried out that it wasn't
David.
When with some difficulty she had
lifted her over the fence, struggling
and crying still, and had herself
climbed over-Mrs. Brown was not as
active, as she had been-there was nc
one in sight.
"David!" she cried. She heard a
rustling in the bushes; but the moon
shining out at that instant, showed the
place empty. David" she cried
again, in terror.
Then he appeared just at the bend OF
the mountain path, whistling cheerily
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 as he had caught
sight of her, and David was not given
to fooling. She could not answer, for
her eobbing and crying.
Lucy tried to tell him the strange
story. When she said: "a big, black,
shaggy man" he threw himself on the
ground, examining every mark. Spot
smelled. too, and his yellow hair began
to oristle with rage, and he growled
fiercely, for there were surely the re-
cent footprints of some large animal.
Mother, run back and rouse the
neighbors. Tell 'em to bring their
rifles" and, breaking off a stout stick.
David dashed into the bushes, Spot
springing in front and leading the
chase.
Once David thought he heard a half
stifed baby's cry, and hurried faster.
For "common-sized" boy he was
making good speed; but Nine. Bruin
Was on the home stretch, and she
knew it.
At last be 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, impatient for
their supper, was but hundred yards
or so distant. He thought she must
be near home by her quickened gait,
and he knew, 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 the bear a sharp blow
over the nose with his long stick. Spot
closed in at the same moment, yelpine
and swapping at her legs.
The huge beast, enraged but not hurt
by this simultaneous attack, dropped
the baby, and reared up on her hind
legs, looking in the mingled moonlight
and shadow so like human figure that
David did not wonder afterward at his
mothers mistake. She showed hel
sharp, white teeth with a fierce snarl
and stretched out her forepaws for q
grapple. She was near her own babies
now, and she meant fight.
David looked at the precious bundle
1t lay just under the creatures terrible
claws, and to attempt to pick it w
would have placed him utterly ut the
bears mercy, unless her attention could
be diverted.
"At her, Spot! at her, good dog!'
he shouted; and again he rained Q
shower of blows on her eyes and mes.
so quick and fierce that, blinded and
confused for the instant, she backed g
step or two, growing horribly
Spot inflicted sharp bite on hel
hind quarters, and she turned her head
1t was his only chance. Quick as
fash he seized the baby and fed, leav
ing poor Spot to receive terrific blow
from the brute's paws, at which he, too
broke and ran, the blood streaming
from his wound, and bowling at ever
jump.
Halt way down the mountain they
met the Martins with dogs and torches
The bear, after fierce fight, wa.
brought to bay and killed, and the pool
little cubs taken captive.
Old Martin united with rough bu
trembling fingers the knot he ha,
laughed at--the knot which had sayet
the baby's soft limbs from the bear
teeth. David hardly dared to be Ger
tain that he had heard cry in hi
headlong fight; but when they had un
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