The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1903-04-24

weight no more than IL he had had
a couple of marmots attached to a
string.
Reaching the top Of a ridge, where
a mountain breeze blew cool and re-
freshing, Joe capered and played
like a young dog. Plainly the bear
was "out for a frolic."
In his play, however, the bear kept
on up the mountain ridge, sometimes
galloping faster than the boys could
run. But he never ran far without
thrusting mis- nose into some bush or
recess among the rocks. After a brief
inspection, he would look about with
a comical air, quite as II making fun
Of his pursuers.
"No use" said Clayton, as they
stood at the foot of a ledge near the
raspberry thickets. Lets just pick
berries and keep an eye on Joe till he
gets ready to be led"
So the boys followed the ledge up
ward, and the bear, seeing that they
no longer pursued him, followed at
leisure. When they came to the
loaded berry bushes there was no
longer any difficulty in keeping track
Of Joe.
The bear set about helping himself
very handily. lie gathered the ber-
ries with a rolling, peculiar motion OF
the fore paws, and with little annoy
ance from thorns. In fact, he soon
filled himself with sweets, and then
stretched himself in the shade ofthe
ledge and fell asleep. The boys also
lay at ease for a time. They hoped
joe would prove more tractable after
he had finished his nap.
Clayton and Hubbard had nearly
fallen asleep when the bear got up
with a sudden lurch. inclined his
nose upward, and shifted deep drafts
Of air with surprised inquiry. Then,
with curiosity printed all over him.
he'huillcdalongthc base Of the ledge.
The boys rose and followed noise.
lcssly. They were certain the bear
had scented some wild creature. and
they were eager for a sight of it.
Young ccdars and juniper bush
grew among a tumble Of rough rocks
in front ofthem. Among these small
trees the bear vanished before they
could come up with him.
Lets climb the ledge" whispered
Hubbard. "'Pcrhap, we can see him
from there"
They turned to the right, and after
a little found a way Of ascent. From
a height Of 80 or 40 feet they looked
out upon a rough triangle of ground,
with here and there bare spots Of hill
grass, hemmed in on three sides with
broken ledge Of rock and earth.
For a time their eyes searched in
vain the reaches Of rock and green
shrubbery. Then, in an open spot
upon their right and close at hand,
Joe suddenly came into view. stand
ing stcck-still whore his coat blended
with the colors Of patch ofhill grass.
The boys watched him with curios-
ity. and presently he began to shuttle
to and fro with the easy but restless
swing Of a tiger pacing il cage.
Something was in the wind, for at
each turn the bear swung hisuplifted
nose to point in the same direction.
Presently he increased his shuttle to-
trot; his small, round ears ierkcd Gu
riously. and a ridge Of bristles stood
at right angles nj his backbone. He
presented the appearance Of a crea-
ture fascinated, half-angry and half
fearful.
suddenly and with startling dis
tinctness came sounds OF some crea-
ture approaching through the young
cedars. Joe's agitation increased,
and he raised hi, voice in a formid-
able growl Of warning.
There was an instant Of silence on
the part Of the newcomer, of breath
les. suspense with the boys, then an
answering oar Of challenge, and a
huge grizzly burst into the opening
l---Il LII H-t---l- l.