The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-05
SEPTEMBER 5, 1903.

in did the storm begin; and them
with the fcSleness of these storms
sucing gush of rain swoopng great wind it
changed it's plans and swung off toward the other side ~
the lake. From one window Of the cabin they could
half an hour the
recedng thunder rumbed bv fits Rnt in ten minutes tho ,
overhead was clear again. and there the
the eagle whirlng.
The travellers were well pleased with their chance
which and dry The good repair
the structure was still in use
as temporary barn for the storage Of fodder for The
further inland Along wall piled hay
promised the travellers bed of luxury. The
place was sitting hot, and this swarming
myriads of black flies which had delghtedy accompanied
the travellers from the -tanges slap
pings and vehement pungent smudge lighted
and the speedily filled with the acrid smoke
Then the two windows removed
sweet wind drawing thru, carried the and
resumed possession supper
the chimney swallow back her silvery
nest which glued to the opmost log of the wall in
fault Of chimney shy from the
roof whittier the smoke had driven them Only
to whom smoke quick doom and the after smell
abomination stayed among their weeds.
The fire, small roaring forest
peril OF the amateur lighted at distance
the supper bacon shed strange
smells the clear wilderness Then
little, companionabe glow the
pack unstrng ramparts OF the forest seeming to hang
closer the clearing deepened then
window.
AS the little before dawn the night grew
cold touched with
the travellers woke apt
before dawn He just about rearrange his
checked himself Slowly and noselessy
till he could interior. There
he the window, shifting
with extreme curiosity at his wet larrgas which he had
hung to drain. At first shy
animal should dare place pervaded camp
must be, with that "man-smel which the wild things
dread Then he concluded probably
customed to visiting the camp nibble hay.
He further concluded that matter
must have been pretty well eliminated trail up
the landing strong with the crushed
ever he and his comade had stepped the smell of the trail
not that of but of their
larrigans, impervous any Further
the had been thoroy smoked out by the permeang
and bitter fumes of the smudge He realized that the
buck must be thoroy puzzled to place the those
larrigans hardly refrain from laughing
aloud he lay listened
sniffe
wind drew suddenly in from the door toward
the window, and it did the buck jumped straight
the air and wheeled sharp about with of terror
nosrs quivered great eyes starting from
it's head The traveller sudden change
turned his head cautiously comrade
interested than himself was crouchng
rifle in hand, with his upon open
in the door, looking calmly the imprisoned buck stood
huge black bear with his bulk filling the entrance He
had probably attracted by scraps
of bacon left from the campers meal here, neatly
framed he found dainty even more t his ste than
bacon His whole attitude suspicion
of the campers but doubtless imagined they had
away after their meal.
The traveller laid quick, firm grasp upon his
rades signal not to shoot The rifle he
bered light of low ca1ibr and he had no wish
battle at close quarters with
understood lowered the with bated
breath the two lay watching for the next move in the
The bear seemed to be in hurry but quietly
cycling his victim. If entered the he knew
buck, with his marvellous agility might by
past bounding him But staying where he
his steady slowly reducing the
heplessness began tremble
would give and the travellers hearts sweed with pity
at it's plight Had it not been close they would
gaily enough open. it
them if the beast in their
guest, with claim to their protection.
"WeH have risk it with your popgun" whispered the
elder of the reaching for his revolver Taze
time. You know the spot'
The bear stood with his great head in slant of moon
thoc and
perfect The little rifle, cracked spitefuy
The big black started then slight
y The rifle cracked again. but it did the bear
softly collapsed into mound of black fur and loose
snewed limbs The first bullet had found its true mark
behind the The wanderers from the hays
the galvanized Of its faculties
the harmless heap the and bounded
away into the moonit forest.