The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-08-09
OVER THE CLIFF.
S 81
BY LEWIS B. MILLER.

her head. but she lodged back so
quickly that II missed her and Peter
was within an ace of falling into her
clutch. Afterwnrd he was more eau
tious but whenever she came within
reach he struck at her. He could not
hurt her, but he forced her to keep off.
although she persisted for an hour la
her attempts to reach him. Then,
withdrawing a few feet, she sat down.
still watching him closely with her
little eyes.
Peter, glad of the respite. lay down
and famed himself with his hat. for
the sun, high above the mountains.
was shining hot against the cliff.
While busy keeping the bear off he
had heard the dogs clamoring, but had
not had time to glance toward them
Now lie saw them on the opposite
bank, running up and down along the
edge of the water. and still barking.
They could see the bear. ard were
frantic to get to her, but they could
see no way of ascending the apparent
ly endless wall of cliff on the west
side
After watching Peter awhile. the
bear renewed her attempt to reach
him. Again and again she tried to
climb the rock, but his desperate hoe
kept her back. Once when he aimed
II blow and missed her. she struck the
hoe with her paw. and nearly jerked
him off the rock. When she squatted
| again, she had her mouth open, pant
ing from the heat and Peter hoped
she would crawl back into her den
for shade. But she went to the other
| end of the wide part of the ledge,
and lay down in Il little stream of
spring water that trickled across the
rocky floor. She Tapped the water
and rolled in it, but did not forget to
keep an eye on Peter.
He stood sweltering against the cliff.
wondering how he could escape, and
very thirsty. The sight of the spring
and of the river flowing below tantal-
lied him almost beyond endurance.
While the old bear was lying in the
water. cub came out from behind the
rock Peter was standing on.and sham
bled to her. Raising herself. she gave
the cub slap that sent it rolling
across the floor. Her act reminded
Peter of an impatient woman slapping
her child for bOtherng her when she
has important matters on hand.
| As the cub rolled over it caught
sight OF Peter on his pedestal, and
the haste with which the littel fell
low scrambled into hole was so COM
| ical that the young man could not
help laughing. Another cub soon
moved out, but seeing Peter quickly
rctreated.
The sun grew hotter and hotter. un-
I'll the young man felt that he was
in danger of being broiled against the
cliff. He looked up. but there was no
possibility of scaling that overhang-
ing wall. Then he looked down long
ingly at the river. THE jumping
would be easy, but how about the
stopping" said Peter to himself
whimsically
He could not entertain the thought
Although Il plunge into the cool. clear
water would have been delightful. the
distance was too great TO he ventured
| 'HH' Hhs piiitl llOIf NnOHlU remain.
You old beast, you"' he exclaimed
angrily, shaking his fist at his enemy,
while with the other sleeve he mopped
his red, dripping face. The bear was
lying comfortably in the water. "If
! could get one good, square whack at
you with this hoe, I'd fix youw
Al his voice the bear rose and looked
| nj him I'm "a macmillan a
meant TO make reply: "All right;
come down and hit me. l won't run
away" But Peter declined the chal-
lenge.
At noon the shadow of the upper
cliff had covered the ledge, and Pc
ters position was much improved. a
cool breeze blew up-river, and but for
his increasing thirst hc would now
have been comparatively comfortable.
The bear, however, soon came on
with more vigor than ever For n
while Peter had all he could do TO
repel her advances. He succeeded
in hitting her twice with the hoe, but
the only effect was to put her into n
rage, and make her more eager to get
him.
When she Withdrew again Peter was
so tired that he sat down on his ped
estal TO rest. Then Lle bear under
the impression that he was now with
in her reach; promptly returned, and
kept him busy for another hour on
two. While this fight was going on he
heard the dogs barking ana whining
and then he caught glimpse of them
swimming across the river: but ms
they could not climb the cliff, they
had to swim back.
Again the she bear retired; and then
Peter had II good. long rest although
he had to take II standing up, not dar
ing TO tempt his enemy again by sit
ting down.
The next attack was the most de
termined Of all, and lasteA till thu
shadow of the cliff reached beyond th,
river. When 1t was over, Peter coult
see nothing of the dogs, and supposed
they had got tired and hungry ant
, gone home He would have been glal
enough TO go home, too, If that un
/ reasonable old she bear would let him
/ As II was, he felt u litttle discourage,
I by the desertion Of the dogs.
sGaMuu.uunsusuusus.uu.un..u..u.