Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-01-12

red on over rocks and logs and through
briers and brakes. Suddenly he paused,
but only for moment. There, not ten
feet from him, by the side of fallen
tree, was dark object that he took tc
be the wandering heifer. Impatient at
the steps she had caused him, the boy
rushed forward and struck the reclin'
ing animal sharp blow upon the ribs
with the hoe.
Instantly there was a low, surly
growl, and there rose up to confront the
lad, not the missing heifer, but the tall
menacing form Of a huge black bear
whose jaws were all besmeared with
blood.
To say that Jerry was startled would
be putting it mildly. He was scared
he could feel his hair stiffen under his
ragged fur cap, and his legs trembled
beneath him. But he had the pluck Of
Yankee boy, and he was indignant al
the loss of his favorite yearling. Step
ping back pace or two, he leyeled his
heavy hoe full at the black, blood
stained muzzle, and struck with all his
might. But the bear warded it as deX
terously as boxer might, and the next
moment Jerry felt his weapon snatched
from his grasp.
The pioneer lad now thought diScre
ton the better part Of valor, and max
ing out low bough before him he
hp1 np nd n ipoc
into the tree. He hoped the bear would
not follow him, but he was disappoint
ed. With sort of a snort and a grow
the enraged beast crawled to the trunk
and began slowly to climb the tree.
AS it happened, the tree was an i'm
mense oak, and Jerry hurriedly clam
bered to the topmost branch, where
clinging to the fork of a limb, he await
ed the approach of his enemy.
The bear worked his way up among
the branches with the skill of a sailor
in the shrouds. He seemed determined
in his advances, and Jerry began tc
edge off as far as he dared, for the limt
to which he was clinging began to bend
under his weight. Brun crawled near
er and nearer.
Jerry scarcely dared to breathe. He
had huge jackknife in his pocket that
the village blacksmith at "the corners"
had made for him that very season, for
use in skinnlng mlnks and muskrats.
The boy drew this, and, opening the
long, keen blade, prepared to defend
himself as best he could. He was all
grit and had not thought of surrender
in his mind.
Now the bear was very near him; he
could feel the brute's warm, sickenine
breath in his face. Supporting himself
with one hand, he struck forward a
strong, quick blow with his right. He
aimed directly for the eyes, but instead
the sharp blade cut a deep, ugly cash in
the great black snout.
That portion of brute's anatomy is
always more or less sensitive. and
Bruins was peculiarly so. The sudden.
ness of the attack disconnected him.
and, shifting fercely, the great beast
drew back. In changing its position
the bear CHANGED to throw its weight
upon a decayed limb. 1t snapped like
a pipestem, and the next instant the
heavy carcass descended through the
branches and struck the ground below
with n deadenlng thud.
Waiting a few moments to see II the
bear stirred, and hearing nothing but n
slight groan, Jerry carefully descended
the tree. His first act was to secure
his hoe. Then he approached the bear.
and finding that the animal could not
stir, having apparently broken it's back
by the fall the boy belabored the mar.
row, cruel head till it was a mass Of
bruised and bleeding flesh
The plucky boy had hardly struck his
last blow when dog barked close nj
hand, and a few moments afterward
half dozen men walked up to the spot.
They were a party Of the hunters re.
turning from the hunt, and several Of
them Jerry knew.
wen, my lad, you have beat us all"
said one of the men, his nearest neigh.
Dor below, after he had heard the bov,s
story. I'VE have hunted all dav fo,
this fellow and couldn't find hair no,
claw of the brute. You deserve a farm.
Jerry, for imagine our barnyards and
pigpens will be safe enough now"
They found the mangled carcass Of
the young heifer few rods away, but
Bruins skin and the bounty paid by the
State more than compensated Jerry 70,
the loss. For many a year afterward
he was the hero of that region. and old
men now living can remember having
him pointed out to them as the bow who
beat the hunters.-Chlcago Record.
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