The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1905-10-19

to dismount and tie the horse. This
being accomplished, Jim unstrapped
his rifle and crept cautiously forward
among a sparse growth of young
pines. His plan was to shoot some
of the wolves, then dash for the
horse.
Suddenly he caught sight of a score
of big, gray timber wolves, viciously
essaying to hamstring an active young
COW. She was using her sharp hoofs
and horns with deadly effect; the bull
aud the COW which had recently
rushed to the rescue were valiantly
assisting in the repulse of her tor
mentors. Yet the boy realized, as he
watched the gaunt, active wolves, that
the young COW. which was already
wounded. must soon succumb to her
assailants. But as he raised his rife
to fire at the leading wolf he per.
ceived some distance in the rear big
black bear. Having a special score to
settle with bruin, Jim sent a we'll
aimed shot In his direction, but by
some chance missed the vital spot,
infiicting a flesh wound which so in
furiated the bear that. unable to dis
cover other cause for his pain, he in
stantly fell upon the nearest wolf,
stretching IL out lifeless at single
blow. Advancing with rapid strides
into the midst OF the pack, the bear
created a momentary CONSERVATION,
during which the cattle, quick to take
advantage of the opening, rushed rap
idly off toward the settlement AS
they swept past Jim saw that the one
which had been first attacked was the
stray COW he was seeking.
Jim's first impulse was to mount his
horse and cover as best he could the
retreat of the cattle. So, rifle in hand,
he ran swiftly toward where he had
tethered his horse. What was his
dismay to discover that his horse
had snapped its leash and was gallop-
ing rapidly of.
whoa, Charley! whoai" called
the boy, frantically.
But the thoroughly frightened anil
NAL heard net; or, II 1t heard. utterly
failed to heed. And a moment later
the wolves, foiled by the bears fury.
surrounded the boy. There was no
time to reload his rife. The wolves
were upon him in a furious gray wave.
Athbest he could only club his rife
and strike the leader a stunning blow
across the eyes. Then, quick as a
fash, the boy leaped over the second
wolf and ran with all his might toward
a small pine few yards away. Once
he stumbled, but rose, and, throwing
his rifle down, put forth his best
speed. Close upon him. almost snap
ping at his heels. followed the wolves.
At last he reached the friendly tree,
and with a desperate output of
strength drew himself up to a low
hanging limb None too soon was
this accomplished. for as he scrambled
toward the topmost branches one OF
the wolves leaped high from the
ground and tore of strip OF his
coat.
Finally Jim paused breathless and
tattered in the top of the tree. Below,
at the base Of the tree, the wolves
had collected en- masse. Though they
were snarling and swapping in a fero-
cious manner, and occasionally leap
ing toward the limbs, the boy felt no
special uneaslness. They could not
climb. But as he looked down from
his perch he suddenly saw something
that sent SILVER of fear to his heart
The bear was stumbling swiftly TO-
ward the tree. Arrived among the
wolves, he began to cuff them out OF
his way as though he were their mas.
ter. Slowly, snarlingly. they retreat
ed before him till space was cleared
Then Bruin began to do what Jim had
feared-climb the tree. With wonder,
full swiftness and surety he mounted
toward the boy, while the wolves
stood of watching eagerly, their cruel
eyes agleam.
Jim had failed to bring his hunting
knife. SO he was helpless before the
approaching brute.
Nearer, nearer climbed the bear,
avoiding carefully the dead limbs I'm
his way Evidently climbing was one
Of his speclaltles.
Finally he was within few feet OF
the cramped figure. The slender pine
was swaying perilously. threatening
to dip earthward beneath the heavy
burden. But the bear climbed on un.
needing. his cunning little eyes fixed
upon his prey.
Suddenly he snapped at the boys
feet. but ere he reached them Jim
had drawn them closer up to his body
Then happened what seemed an earth.
quake. during which the bear lost his
balance and pitched headlong to the
ground. and every wolf disappeared as
II swept from the face of the earth
by mighty hand.
When Jim recovered his equilibrium
he was clinging tenaciously to the
tree. Underneath a number OF big
wolf hounds were tearing at the fur
Of the bear and several wolves which
had fallen.
Five mounted backwoodsmen were
soon on the scene. At their head
rode old 81 Martin.
"Hullo, jim" he called, cheerily /;
cum down an git yo' bar skin. Dog
my buttons OF he didn't like ter git
YOU"
"Ouaraet thinO T'va auav saaa, d, -