The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-08-16

enough to weigh quite two hundred
pounds. II took him some time to dis
embowel the game. Then he partly
dragged, partly carried the carcass
round the pool to the solid ground Of
the forest, intending to take IL home II
II required hours of toll. But 1t was
the slipperiest, worst weight to man
age he had ever attempted, and his
right shoulder was painfully lame; and
the way was rough, and night had fall
en-. and he was very tired. Moreover,
ominous sounds Were rising from the
swamps-the screams of wildcats, the
bowling of wolves, ana other savage
cries.
BY the time he had made n furlOng
by series of exhausting lugs, fierce
outburst of snarls told him that wolves
and lynxes were fighting over the en-
trails of the bear, and soon he heard
others prowling all about him in the
woods. lie might now skin the bear,
and carry away the skin and hams,
perhaps but he was determined not
to yield any part Of the prize which
had cost him so much. He wanted it
all, especially It's valuable fat
Luckily Barsand carried spare flint
for his musket and bit of punk.
With these he struck fire, which
blazcd in bed of dry leaves. Pres
emily he had great dry log on fire.
"A Ypnunt Ia, ct N thnpn al al. 10
his bear If he had to. although he knew
his family must be now growing anx.
ious about him.
The fire soon began TO run through
the woods over the thin carpet of dry
leaves. BY the time an acre was light.
ed, every wild creature had fed TO
swamps. marshes and damp places.
Forest fires were light In those times.
They did not harm TO green trees or
bushes, because the forests were regu-
larly burned over every year, allowing
no accumulations Of infiammable ma
tcrial. Circles about the settlers clear
ings had already been burned early in
the season.
Having rested long enough to regain
some of his spent strength. Barsand
resolutely lugged his bear a third of
mile farther, in several separate efforts
so exhausting as almost to discourage
even his obstinate will. While sitting
to recuperate again, he thought he
heard far-off faint shout. Rising, he
heard 1t again plainly, answered it,
and was answered; and presently ia
son and the dog Sharp came running
to him.
The family had become uneasy at
sunset When the twilight faded into
dark, Mrs. Barsand grew nervous.
They all had proper faith in Barsands
ability TO take care of himself yet
they all gradually worked themselves
into an unusual worry. Finally Jason
thought of trying IL Sharp would
track his master, since the dog had
shown so much disappointment when
refused permission to accompany him.
Arming himself with a light axe and
tin lantern with a venison talOw-
dip candle, the boy set out holding
the dog in leash with buckskin
thong. Sharp took scent and followed
his masters trail about the clearing,
until it turned off to go to the black
berry patch. Here Jason saw in the
sky the glow of the fire, and correctly
reasoning that it must have bene set
by his father, hurried straight for II.
A few minutes of work with the axe
sufficed to cut two long poles. to fasten
their butts foot apart and their
tops a yard apart. with four cross
sticks, and TO tie the bear firmly up
on them. Lifting the butts and let
ting the timber tops trail on the
ground, the two dragged the weight at
moderate walk. BY midnight they
had the carcass home safely hung
up.
Each of their three neighbors re-
ceivod a generous gift of bear meat.
The skin and liberal supply of "bear
grease were valuable acquisition for
Barsand, besides making him the be.
ginning of a reputation as. hunter.
Mrs. Barsand, fed on bear steaks.
missed all but mere hint of her next
chill. and became within fortnight
as healthy as she had ever been and
in month Jason could relate more
about bears than any natural history
yet printed.-Youth's Companion.