The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1907-05-07
CrOckett'S WOOins

NeSSeseeeees seMsssssssssssss

We're lost, boys, sure as shoot
IN! said DavX Crockett to his dogs.
III we'd only stuck to the open trail
and not followed off after that bear
wed have been home by now. What
Will my good Quaker, Master Ken
nedy, do when he sees me? Send
me packing, perhaps. And all be-
cause / ran away to shooting match
and then got lost like a fool on my
way home"
All at once both dogs gave tongue
savagely, the hair on their backs ris-
ing with anger.
what's this? What's this, boys?"
cried Davy eagerly. He bent down.
his eyes shining as he saw deeply
printed in the soft earth the deem
footmark of bear. the greatest Of
all the game animals in that region.
"A bear" cried Davy, land fresh!
why, boys. what do you mean by
leaving a fresh trail?"
The ardor of the young hunter
gave courage to the two hounds.
which for the moment had hesitated
TO pursue so large a beast. They
gave tongue now unsteady and pres
emily disappeared in the dense thicket
OF cane and briers. pavy plunged on
AFTER as best he might, and was not
tar behind when he heard the hoarse
roaring challenge of the two dogs.
"Rayed up!" he gasped, running
on now as swiftly as his long legs
would carry him. They've stopped
him at last"
He did his best to get near enough
Tor shot, but he had at the moment
only a glimpse of a big black BODY
moving through the cane, the dogs
swapping at its tanks and heels
Davy was too good a hunter to risk
chance shot, and so he pushed on.
suddenly, as he hurried on through
the thicket, there came directly in
'front.' the scream Of a womans voice.
At this sound the bear turned and
came back toward him.
Seeing the young hunter, the great
creature now in confusion, conclud-
ed 1t would be safest to take to n
tree. 1t did so, climbing the great
trunk with swiftness incredible for
an animal of its bulk, all the while
winning and protesting, half In an
ger and half in uneasiness. The
dogs Jumped up at the foot of the
tree, baying loudly, but the bear
looked down in safety from his perch
on a great limb
Oh, you're safe enough nowl"
cried Davy, exultantly. He could
have easily shot the animal but was
TOO tired and out of breath to hasten
matters. Moreover, he was curious
10 discover whose voice it was that
mad turned back the bear. "Hellol
hello, there!" he cried. "Who are
you? Come this way? It's safe
here"
AS he called he edged over toward
the sound of the voice, but still kent
MS eye on the bear even when he
heard Footsteps breaking through the
cane. There paused at sight of him
a young girl, hardly more than sew
enteen years old. She looked at him
half in fear, half in relief. The blood
flew to Davy's face.
L didn't know, ma'am-miss.
mean he stammered; and then, with
eagerness, but there's your bear.
There he is, freed, all right"
The girl, pale from fright, half
smiled, as she now approached. "Are
you afraid?" she said.
Yes, 1 reckon I'm scared a good
deal" = eO01
why, he can't hurt you now; he's
up tree"
He? Oh, that?" said Davy. with
jerk Of his. thumb. az didn't mean
the bear I'm scared OF you. What
are you doing here in the woods all
alone? Are you lost?"
No" she replied. IT reckon
you're lost yourself, or you'd know
us only a couple of miles to orr
house. I'm after the cows"
Well" said Davy, dropping the
stock OF his long rife to the ground.
I've got no cows, but here's a fine
bear that belongs to me. If you need
any bear meat you can have It. Just
watch. 4"
AS he spoke, he raised the long
brown barrel Of the rife slowly to
the level of his eye. the bear mean
while being busily engaged looking
down at the dogs. as II half stood
and half lolled I'm the fork of the
great oak tree.
There came the sharp, keen report
OF the rifle, and the great black ami
mai slowly sank down to the limb of
which It stood, then clinging with It's
arms to the limb. swung half out and
under, griDped with its remainiug
force TO preserve itself. Suddenly
It's muscles relaxing. It came down
more than fifty feet, turning over in
midair. and striking the earth wi,h
q great crash at once the dogs we're
upon the dead body. growing and
biting furiously at their fallen foe.
Gracious mel" said the mountain
girl, now fairly free from her fright
That was a good shot"
"Humphl" grunted Davy IL
reckon IL can his half-dollar pt
forty yards 1 ought to hit a thing as
big as log house up in tree"
Now III 90 home" said the girl
You won't till go along" said
Dayy, growing holder. I'm lost"