Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-04-13
AN INDIAN STORY.
HOW THE sHoRT-TAIL BEAR
GOT HIS NAME.
BY HUBERT MARsToN LONG.

bear"
Pete Mareau, halfbreed, guide, hunt
err 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 1t 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 we'll 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 It,
and out across the plains went the trail
of the bear
Him not far way" said the half
breed
Over knoll, against the side OF
which rose an old pine stub, the tracks
ended.
Muk-wah was at home.
Wearied from his journey into the
world, satisfied after his feast, Muk-
wah slept, secure in his den.
Pete Mareau secured a 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 tbs
cedar tops we're brought and a fire
started over the mouth of the den.
1t blaxed up fiercely, and then tbs
green tops were thrown on and covered
with snow. The smoke, unable to fol
low natures law, found its only avenue
and filed the den.
There was roar, as OF an hundred
angry animals, the fire was burs
apart. and blinking and blinded b.
smoke and light. Muk-wah stood JUS
outside the fire line.
The sharp, spiteful crack of the rife
broke the stiffness. Muk-wah lurche.
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 yielr
his pelt
Him fin short-tail bear,"\ gruntec
Pete Mareau. after the work of dress
ing the carcass was over.
why is he short-tailed bear
Pete? All are that way. How did /
happen" asked the white man.
"Injun say bear all have long tai
one time," replied Pete. Long, ion,
time go, fore white man come hun
all bear have him long tail
"Injun, him go huntin' him cate,
long-tail up tree. Injun him wan
bear; bear him no want Injun to ge
him.
"Injun no have gun. him use bow !
arrow. Him shoot straight an shoe
Muk-wah through him heart
"Muk-wah him faN. Him fall o.
tail, him break it, Ever since all bea
him have short tall"
And that Is the way the Indians tel
of the way nature gave the bear hi
short tail-Detroit Free Press.