The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-08-09

ger might drive the bear Off into the
mountains to find something to eat for
herself and her cubs. That would
give him an opportunity to escape.
But, on the other hand, hunger might
drive her TO more resolute effort
to make meal of him; and in the
darkness she might succeed One bad
feature of the situation was that he
could not be missed at home for sew
eral days.
"Not until she had digcstcd me-"
thought Peter.
The outlook appeared discouraglng.
but Peter did not despair. He could
always jump 10 the river. and there
was chance in that. 1t would. at
worst. save him from the bear. The
thought of the cool water tempted
him, but he still restrained himself.
The last rays of the sun were shin
ing against the cedars on top of the
mountain east of the river, when Peter
heard sharp bark The next moment
Trap ana Watch came bounding round
the corner in the ledge, and rushed
at the bear. Tantalized by the sight
of the animal beyond their reach. they
had gone down the river until they
could cross, and then had returned
to fhe bears den from above.
At the first bark the bear turned TO
meet them. When she rose on her
launches to use her paws, she sat
only a few inches from the edge of
the cliff. Possibly she had learned,
from having lived here long, that the
easiest way TO get rid of his enemy
was to knock him over the precipice.
The dogs had learned something,
too, and kept out of her reach. Fear
ing that she might serve them as she
had done before, Peter quickly sprang
down from his perch. He was about
TO run up behind the bear. and try
to cut her head open with the hoe.
He changed his plan suddenly. Low
ering the hoe, he grasped the handle
firmly with both hands, and moved
round till he was but little behind
the bear. and between her and the
nearest wall Then he rushed at her,
using the big hoe as battering-ram.
She was wholly occupied with the
dogs at the moment.
The hoe struck her squarely. and
her hind parts were knocked over the
rough rock with her front claws.
growing fiercely, and doing her best
TO get back upon the ledge. Peter
hammered her paws with the hoe un-
til he broke her hold and then she
fell back and dropped down, down, as
the dogs had dropped.
He heard the great splash, and
looked over in time to see her come to
the surface and strike out for the east
bank. The dogs stood with their heads
over the edge of the cliff, barking at
her loudly.
On reaching the bank. the bear sat
down and watched the cliff for a min
ute or two; then she rose and disap-
peared into the bushes.
While Peter was quenching his thirst
ut the little spring, the dogs began to
bark under the cliff ut the cubs, but
it was getting dark, and the old bear
would doubtless return. SO Peter
shOuldered his hoe, called off the dogs,
and after making his way cautiously
along the ledge and up the path, went
home
Early the next morning he and his
father, armed with guns, came to the
den in the cliff, but the wise old bear
had foreseen this visit
Were too late, ii seems" remarked
Peters father. MA bear took her
family last night, and left for parts
unknown. You'll never set eyes on
'em any more"
oh WELL let her CO." said Peter.
Don't care much about killing an an
imal with young ones, anyway. The
old brute treated me and the dogs II
little mean, but she got paid for it.
SO | guess Wen call it square, seeing
I've got to.'-YOuth's Companion.