Catoctin clarion., 1900-12-20

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and laughed about snakes and lizards,
while the girls kept up d ceasless moan
ing. What with he'excitement, bruises
weariness and hunger, we could hardly
drag one foot before the other as we
came into another cavern.
Here's good place to rest in said
Sam; heres a stalagmts as biz as a
barrel; sit down here
He threw himself on the rocky floor
and we were only too glad to do like
wise. Rest waa the only thing thought
of and with our backs against the big
stalagmite, we all. worn out and stupe-
fed, fell fast asleep.
1t may have bsen hours, or only few
minutes afterwards, that became duly
conscious of something hot and wet
moving over my outstretched hand
The sensation was not at all unpleasant
l sleepily wondered what dog it was
tapping me, and forced open my eyes.
could see nothing but pair of small
flaming points close to me in the dark
ness, but, instinctivelv, | knew they
were the eyes of the grizzlie standing
over me, bis warm breath in my face.
| knew, also, that his great jaws could
crush my head as a boy might eat a
plum, that one stroke Of his huge paw
would kill me as quickly as if We're
| but an insect. Yet, somehow, was not
exceedingly frightened; not nearly SO
scared as when | saw the huge beast
by the throne.
Since then | have read that in such
perilous moments, when ones next
breath may be hls last one, the sensa-
ton of fear is almost entirely extin-
gnished. Not only is that true. but
frequently an absurd feeling Of curiosity
takes the place Of fright. know that
in my case l was mildly concerned only
as to what the bear would do next.
What he did was to sniff around us,
aud, apparently satisfied with his in
spection, be turned and shambled off.
could hear his enormous toenails rat
tie as he walked across the rocky floor.
Suddenly an electric thrill ran over me
as l thought cf following him. Instant
ly I was wide awake. Unwittingly we
had wandered back into the gorgeous
chamber again and gone to sleep by the
side of the marble throne. To make
sure of it l got up and groped over the
top of the stalagmite. Ny hands en-
countered a little soft heap-ashes from
the fire. The grizzlie knew the way
out; he was going; would follow him.
| dared in the direction he had taken,
and though | came bump up against
the wall, it was by the mouth Of pas
sage way in which l could still hear
Bruins retreating footballs.
What should do? Go on and per-
haps get lost all alone unable to find my
way back? Then something seemed to
tell me just what to do.
In my jacket pocket were half doz-
en- fsh-lines Tying one end securely
around a projecting rock | went into
the tunnel. If it was the right way
| should soon be out Of the trap. If it
was the wrong one the line would guide
me safely back again to my sleeping
companions. AS fast as could stagger
along, l paid out the line behind me.
One went; then another-three! fourl
fvel and still no outletl Tying on the
sixth line, ! plunged desperately ahead
go desperately that my toe hit rock
and my tired legs giving way, down /
tumbled and rolling over fiat on my
back, l saw-what do you suppose?
Why, merely the blessed bright stars
shining overhead,
1t was a dark, moonless night, and, in
my blind eagerness. | had actually
pitched headong out from the mouth
of the cave.
Perhaps | did not feel happy and
thankful, as lay there laughing and
crying like baby, with the fab line
still eripped tightly IN one fist, 1t was
quick work getting the others out of the
horrible hole. Tying the line to a bush
and taking it for guide, to 70 in and
ont of the cave was child's play.
1t was nearly morning and with the
first rays of light we hurried down the
mountain, crossed the creek, found old
buck standing patiently under the tree
the lunch all right, and the trout just
where we had left them. Like hungry
wolves we fell upon the sandwiches, cake,
pie, etc., each laughing at the others s
extraordinary appearance. The girls
we're wrecks of their yesterdays gay
selves, and defy description. l was a
scarecrow. bare-headed, dirty and for
lorn, with big purple lump adornlng
my forehead. But Sam was the monu-