The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1901-06-22

dead while they were hibernating AS
quick as thought a plan of escape flashed
through my head, and I went back to
where the young girl was seated and ex-
planned it Ito hertin a low whisper. She
shuddered at the strange proposition that
I made to her, but after had induced her
to go farther back into the cave quickly
released her from the bonds that the red
devils had placed on her arms, and then
we again discussed the forlcrn hope that
7 had suggested. She thought it was
worth trying, and she said that she would
obey my instructions implicitly. We are
doomed to DEATH she said. and we had
better die making an effort to save our
lives than to be tortured by lot of howl.
ing Cmanches.'
1--WE crawled close up to the bear, and
7 got on my knees by the side of the
sleeping monsters shoulder Now, Miss
Jane said I, when I throw my leg over
this old bruins back and begin to yell,
you must spring on behind me and
scream with all the power of your lungs
and don't forget to lock your arms around
my waist and hold on tight Observing
sshot t-!sse three Indians were seated by the
fire wholly absorbed in satisfying their
hunger, and that the other one still sat
with his back to us, seized the bear by
the ears and, as threw my leg over his
body, Z fetched a warwhoop that echoed
through the vaults Of the gloomy cavern
like the howl. of a thousand irfuriated
hends The astounded bear sprang to his
feet. and shaking all power Of Information
from his strong legs he bounded towards
the mouth of the cave snuffing and growl-
Ing with surprise and rage. One stroke Of
his paw knocked the amazed sentinel
sprawling and evidently senseless. The
next jump landed him amongst the red
devils, who were eating and the fire flew
in every direction. One Indian went down
under the bears feet with his face torn
from his head, another'sneck was seized
between the bears jaws and one shake
cracked the bones. and as the remaining
Comanche tried to crawl away the bear
dfserbowe1ed him with a single rake Of
i his terrible claws.
Twisting his ears and yelling with all
my might urged the young girl to hold
fast. telling her we would soon be out OF
danger. The frightened bear did not make
many jumps before he shook US from his
Ia OK, and doubtless glad to be rid OF his
strange burden he passed on at the top of
his speed without turning to make any
further investigation. Noticing that the
Indians we're all hors de combat + quickly
seized ore OF their guns and stood ready
for action. There was little for me to do.
Only two showed signs of life and they
were so terrified with the belief that the
devil himself had been amongst them that
they made no effort to resist when & put
an end to their suffering. After resting a
| few moments I saddIed two of their best
ponies. and arning ourselves with the
| best Of their weapons we mounted and SCI
out on our return journey for the settle
| merit Tie story Of our miraculous escape
was received with shouts of uproarious
laughter by the old Indian fighters at the
fort, hut none Of them dared to dispute
my word Some weeks afterwards Joe
Maxim asked me TO stand up with him
when he married Jane Horner. did IT,
for i was not II a xood lllnor.' z,