Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-05-04
AN INDIAN STORY.
HOW THE sHoRT-TAIL BEAR
GOT HIS NAME.
BY HUBERT MARsToN LONG.

pear
Pete Mareau, halfbreed guide, hunt
er, trapper, everything but man OF
work and substance, pulled at his
short-stemmed pipe, expectorated, and
took another squint at the great
tracks in the fresh fallen snow
Like the spread of a giant hand the
tracks beat down the snow, indicative
of the weight of the bear that passed
such short time before.
The white man knelt beside the track
and gave it close attention.
Why do you call it the short-tailed
bear, Pete? Aren't all bears short
tailed?"
"Uh-huh," grunted the halfbreed.
me tell you bimeby"
Following the well defined trail of
the bear, the white man and halfbreed
moved through the wood. out into the
clearing where the cedar workers had
left their mark beside the swamp.
Far away were the cabins, roughly
built of logs, the habitations of the
forerunners of civilization. Now and
then through the woods resounded tho
tinkle of cow bells, as the cattle
sought for browse. The frontier cattle
knew no comfortable barns in winter,
but with the deer fight for life during
the months of cold
Beside the track of Muk-wah lay a
few fresh bones, few scraps of sheep.
skin, all that was left of the bears
breakfast
"Ol' man Badeau, him lost dat
sheep" said Pete Mareau.
Can we get the bear?" inquired the
hunter.
you bet. We track him; him lay
down pretty soon.''
Pete Mareau followed the trail like
a hound, his keen eyes noting the cut
offs and saving steps as they swung
along.
1t was a symphony in green and
gray, black and white. The pines,
hemlocks and cedars showed the green
the fire-swept stubs and logs the
black, while over the surface rested
the mantle Of white, completing the
picture.
Down into the swamp, through 1t,
and out across the plains went the trail
of the bear.
Him not far way" said the half
breed.
over a knoll, against the side of
which rose an old pine stub, the tracks
ended.
Mukwah was at home.
Wearied from his journey into the
wah slept, secure in his den
Pete Mareau secured long pole and
prodded in the hole An angry snort
was the only response
Again and again the halfbreed used
the pole, with no result Muk-wah did
not intend to leave his home.
I'VE smoke him out" he said.
Then they gathered the dry branches
which, victim to decay. had fallen, the
cedar tops were brought and a fire
started over the mouth of the den.
1t blazed up fercely, and then the
green tops were thrown on and covered
with snow The smoke, unable to fol- |
low natures law, found its only avenue
and filled the den.
angry animals, the fire was burst |
apart, and blinking and blinded By |
smoke and light. Muk-wah stood just
outside the fire line.
The sharp, spiteful crack of the rifle |
broke the stiffness. Muk-wah lurchei
forward, bullet through his brain.
Fresh fuel was thrown upon the
fire, and beside it, beside the place |
where the bear made his home. Muk |
wah the mighty was made to yield |
his pelt.
Him fin short-tail bear" grunted |
Pete Mareau. after the work of dress
ing the carcass was over.
why is he a short-tailed bear.
Pete? All are that way. How did it
happen?" asked the white man.
"Injun say bear all have long tail
one time" replied Pete. Long, long
time go, fore white man come hunt
all bear have him long tail.
'Injun. him go huntin' him catch
long-tail up tree. Injun him want
bear; bear him no want Injun to get
him.
. 'lnjun no have gun, him use bow n
arrow. Him shoot straight an shoot
Muk-wah through him heart
'Mukwah him fall. Him fall GA
tail, him break 1t. Ever since all bea-
him have short tail"
And that Is the way the Indians tell
of the way nature gave the bear his
short tail.-Detroit Free Press.