The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-05

had an adventure with bear that didn't
conduct his part of the hunt according
to Hoyle Budd and Joe Mills tracked
big cinnamon to a den in the mountains
near the McCloud and built big smudge
to smoke him out. The wind blew the
wrong way to drive the smoke in, and so
Budd took torch and went after the
bear, leaving Mills ON guard outside.
Like Morgan Clark, he knew the bear
would pass him head down and make for
the open air without delay and he
wasn't afraid. When the bear got up
with a g"owl at the appearance of the
torch and started for the exit Budd
quietly stepped aside and gave him room
to pass, but the cinnamon developed in
dividuality in an unexpected direction and
made a grab for Budd's right leg as he
passed. Budd threw his leg up to avoid
the grab, lost his balance and fell fiat
ON top of the bear. Instinctively he
caught hold of the thick fur on the bears
hind quarters with both hands, still hold
ing the torch in his right. but dropping his
gun, and winding his legs about the bears
body he rode out into the daylight before
he hardly knew what had happened.
Mills was ready to shoot when the bear
appeared but seeing his partner riding the
game, he was too much surprised to take
the brief chance offered at the bears
head, ard in another instant it was too
late. To fire after the pair had passed
was too dangerous, as he might hit the
rider instead of the steed. The cinnamon,
in his first panic, plunged wildly down the
hill trying to shake off his strange bur-
den, and went SO rapidly that Budd was
afraid to let go. But Budd's principal
fear was that the bear would recover his .
presence of mind and turn upon him, and
his game was to keep the beast on the
| jump as long as he could. trusting to
chance for a way out of the scrape.
| The torch, made of rags soaked in oil,
was still blazing in his right hand TAX
| ing firner grip with his legs and a good
hold just above the tail with his teeth,
! he applied the torch to the bears rump.
This application and the hear-raising
yells of Mills. who was plunging along
madly in the wake, caused an astonishing
burst Of speed, and the cinnamon thun-
dered thru the brush like a runaway To-
connective on down grade, with such
lurches and rolls and plunges that Budd
dropped his torch and hung on, tooth
and nail for dear life.
The unfeeling Mills was taking frivo-
lous view of the case by this time, and as
he strobe rapidly along behind, losing
ground at every jump, however, he en-
couraged Budd and the bear alternately
with t1ippant remarks: "Stick to him,
Budd! Whaouw! Go it BARI You're
the boss bar-buster, old man. Can't buck
you off, "Whoopee Hellitylarrup!"
"Who's bossing that job; Budd you or
the bar?' Say, Budd, goin' ter leave me
here? Give a teller ride, won't ye?"
"Hi-yi; that's bully saddle bar.'
But Budd was waiting for a chance to
, dismount, and as the bear rose to leap
a big log in his path, Budd let go all
holds and slid head first to the ground.
He bumped his forehead and skinned his
, nose on a rock. His legs. and back were
scratched and torn by. the brush. his
clothes were in tatters, and he was al
most seasick from the lurching motion Of
his steed.
Mills came up roaring with laughter. He
thought it was the FUNNIEST thing he ever
had seen in his life. But Budd was not
man of much hunor and he failed to
l appreciate the ridiculous features of the
5 adventure He got up slowly. ruefully,
: brushed away the blood and dirt from his
r face, and solemnly and methodically gave
Joe Mills the most serious and matter Of
! fact licking that a man ever got In this
world.