Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-09-03

OHc september our party went LOT
an annual hunting and fishing trip of
three months to- an ideal spot OH 'Thun-
der river, in Northern Michigan. Near
our camp were three beautiful lakes,
which furnished numerous trout bass,
grayllfg, pickcrcl. pike and other fish,
Deer and bear were numerous; there
were wolves as large rs St. bernard
dogs, few wildcats and 10 end of
RULED grouse.
One frosty November morning
started for Il point some two miles
from camp where had seen fresh deer
sign the day before. followed Il log
road SOME distance and then sat down
on the root of Il big fallen pine to
watch. In front of me was IN open
spot of ground surrounded by thick
tanglc of down timber. oak brush and
wild cherry scrubs, making j. good
cover for any kind Of game. | mad
sat on my perch half an hour, when
heard twig snap. kept perfectly
quiet, and looking over the edge Of tic
undcrbrush | saw two bear cubs slip
out into the orcn not over 80 PAGES
from me-
AS soon as they got into the sunlight
LEY began to Ilay like kittcnS, jump
irg falling anl rolling over can other
and cutting c"mical antics. sal sti.i
watching th 'ir playful capa"s when
the idea CAM tc me to try To capture
one or both % the little raScals (c keen
as pets
| slid carefully down my perch, set
my rifle against n ncighborng tree and
Slipped toward the cubs. which were
still having all kinds of fun Crawl
ing and dodging behind logs and
stumps got behind big pine snag
within five or six PAGES of the little fell
lows. Then. watching my chance, |
shot out from behind the tree. sprallS
forward and grabbed one by the throat.
at the same time clutchng for the
other, but it lodged and twisted out
Of my hand dartcd into the brush AMI
WAS lost to sight IN an instant.
kept firm grip on the first cub.
though he was desperate to get away.
Suddenly he gave Il sharp yell. The
next instant heard crashing in the
brush, and from cedar thickct not
over 20 PAGES away the mother bear
sprang for me.
| had not time to take step. no
thought of retreat or dodgnE entered
my mind. | dropped the cub AMI
snatched my hunting knife from its
sheath. The infuriatcd mother lcapcd
forward, headquarters high. shoulders
low, head down AMI askcw, snout turn.
ed right, lip turned up like n snarlug
dogs. teeth chattering and black eyes
cleaning with dcvclish light. When
within reach of me she raised up and
aimed blow at my head with her big
paw. | lodged, and her claws caught
my cont ripping il off me in .shrcds.
Still standing upright she again came
at INC with IL growl. lungcd at her
throat with my knife. which missed
the mark and landed on her face cut
ting cash nearly four inches long.
She kept coming, and I gave her Il
thrust under one forcleg. She turned
to grab me, and struck her in the
neck
Things were considerably mixed
about that time. with the bear still
forcing me slowly back, while ] slash
ed and jabbed. ut the same time dodg-
Ing and ducking 10 keep out of her
clutches.
Suddenly she changed her tactics.
She dropped on all tours and came at
me with a rush. She charged, my heel
caught on n piece Of brush and fell
backward, full length, the hear going
clear over rae AS she shot past gave
her jab in the side. and wllirling over
sprang To my feet quicker than ever
before in my life. She turned for an
other charge, but one OF the cubs.
which had been lurking out in the
brush, began to whine and howl The
old bear heard stopped instantly. and
threw her head around to listen.
That was my salvation. sprang