Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1909-05-12

the pig was not fat enough, and 80
left it where 1t lies"
Perhaps, Benny; but we will look
after the bear little. Take the path
to.the wood, past the coops. We will
see II we can find the prowler."
Clutching the rifle with more firm
ness, Rebecca Merton started toward
the forest, and in a little while she
and her son had passed the fringe
and stood underneath the trees.
Benny leld the torch above his head
while his mother looked on every side
in hopes of seeing a living target for
the family rife,
Mother" said the boy. awhat If
the bear. was an Indian?"
Mrs. Merton glanced down at the
little speaker, and for a moment
seemed to smile.
4An Indian, boy?"
,"Why not? Haven't you noticed
the strange marks on the ground be-
tween here and the pens?n
II have not been looking down very
closely"
Then let us~go back little and
will show you the tracks where the
ground Is soft"
MotheS and son retraced their steps
and all at once the latter pointed to
the ground. 1t was at. a spot where
the ground was still soft from recent
rains, and very few leaves were there.
Here is one Of the tracks, moth
err" said Benny. Don't yol: set, It is
shaped like human foot, and that
the toes turn inward? I saw good
many Indian tracks on the old sand
bar last summer and we knew that
they were Indian ones"
The settlers wife had taken the
torch from her sons hands and was
looking at the ground at her feet.
The light fell full upon the spot and
she could make out the outlines Of Z
human footmark ingthe yielding soil.
Our bear may be a redskin. sai
the boy, watching his mother. ~
There was no reply, as Mrs. Merton
rose quickly and looked toward the
cabin where she mad left her husband
and the other little ones asleep.
Come" she said hastily. 4Tf an
Indian has been here we must reach
the cabin as soon as possible
In another moment mother and son
we're fastening toward the little
home; but suddenly cry from
Benny's lips startled the mother, and
she stopped and looked at him.
aThe bear. mother; the hear!" said
the boy, pointing toward the house,
but a few rods distant.
Mrs. Merton leaned forward, her
eager eyes searching out the dark
places which the light of the torch
did not fully penetrate.
Benny had fallen behind his moth.
ct and was holding the fambeau
above his head his face pale and his
little hands wound about the fagot
with resolution.
Il see no bear, Benny" said Mrs
Merton.
| Neither do I now, but he was righ
over yonder among the bushes, for
got a glimpse of his eyes and"
Hush, Benny. see him now!"
The light had sought out the clum,
of bushes designated by the pionee
boy, and Mrs. Merton had stepped
back a pace and thrown the rifle tt
her shoulder. -
Remember, what father said,
! ! whispered Benny. Don't shoot til
you can take him between the eyes.
4. @Never mind, Eenny. He shall ge
j: there or not at all.
| The glistening targets which bot
mother and son now saw we're nea
the ground, as if the bear ha
crouched, and the freight enable
them to see them plainly.
Benny Merton watched his mothe
while he held his breath, and wo1
4 cered if the bear when killed woul
turn out to be a large one,. or veal
ling, as he fully belieyed-.not larg
!, enough to carry off pig after a
!, taeking the pen.
Seconds seemed minutes 10 the be
who held the torch for the dete