Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-12-25

and II was followed by q snap and
grUwl.
"As he quickcncd his steps toward
me unconsciously FASTENED my own.
when. taking a long stride backward.
| found myself suddenly PROSTATE In
a sort OF dry ditch or slough. where
lay for moment half stunned In com
pany with my dead birds and duck
gun
AS recovered myself could hear
my grunting and grumbling friend.
doubtless not little astonished at this
sudden disappearance. co tramping up
and down In the vain attempt TO nose
me out in the fog
Il had now time to think and. as a
merchant might say take stock of
my position and prospects. ON the one
side was chased by bear-a hungry
bear cross bear. bear disturbed at
his breakfast OF sweet acorns ! had
lost my way ! had only n ducking
gun which however formidable 10
wild geese. was n mere plaything
when brought TO bear upon the thick.
tough hide Of an acorn fattened griz
ely. whose gross weight might be
somewhere In the neighborhood Of 900
pounds. AS for my hunting knife.
had left II - home What wonder II.
as an freshman might say, wished
that | had left myself there before
started:
Against all this | had the consola.
tor, assurance that the grizzly bear
never climbs. which. ms the trees were
all on the side Of the bear. did not add
much To my sense OF security. But
my principal hope lay In the fact that
was just then hidden by the gully.
the depth OF which varied from eight
to twelve feet. with PERCEPTIONS sides
and dry bed. which probably led
down TO some neighboring stream Of
water.
NOW thought |, i have only to
crawl along this ditch. reach the
stream. cross II and bid goodby 10
grizzly.
Il had just picked myself up and
was proceeding to carry out my plan
Of escape when | heard cracking
and breaking of the underbrush which
fringed the ditch and by which was
partly screened from view This was
speedily followed by an angry growl
as the treacherous earth gave way and
let Mr. Bear with no gentle tumble
directly down into the very gully into
which | had fallen.
Fortunately for me, bruin had not
only greater fall. but tumbled into
the ditch mt a point somewhat distant
from my hiding place. and the little
ferret eyes did not nj once perceive
me-. An unlucky stumble. however.
which | owed TO a twisted root. be-
trayed me. and he turned and gave
chase.
''They have very expressive phrase
In California when u person Is desired
To leave suddenly. II consists Of but
two words. You git. My dears.
when that bear tumblcd into my gully
i got and when he took up the chase
I continued TO git In style which
astonished even myself
when first saw him fall certain.
ly hoped that he had broken his nose
at least or even dislocated his great
ugly neck. but that hope vanished in
"a moment
"Iie WAS evidently no, whit the
worse for his somcrsauli
at was no longer matter uf cere.
hunted deer. while my stout friend
came numbering and putting on behind.
like a portly old gentleman who fears
he may be too late for the evening
train ! was expecting every moment
10 feel the blow of his heavy paw.
when. turning an angle Of the gully.
perceived. with M little dismay. that
the ditch In front of me- was blocked
by an immense fallen tree. The small
or end of the broken trunk. being TO
ward me. showed an opening wide
enough Ia admit my then somewha
more than usually slender form
There was little time for hesitation.
! could hear the bears heavy tramp
behind me 4 moment more and !
had plunged into the opening and drew
my gun after me. just as my fat friend
rounded the turn of the slough IN hot
pursuit Running bllndly on. he en-.
dcavored to force himself after me.
giving the log shock which made me
tremble for the security Of my new
tenement
"One or two furious plunges tended
10 convince him that ! could enter
where his huge frame could not. for he
seemed to reflect and finally intro.
duced paw. from whose farreachiue
grab retired into the inner recrsses
Of my chamber
Finding that his attempts In this
way were equally futile. | began TO
feel little more at ease, and when
bruin again pokcd In his great paw In
an inqulring sort OF way managed IL
push dead duck out TO him with the
butt Of my gun by way Of peace Of
fcring was willing just then to have
peace at any price short OF surrender
But Sir Bear had no thought of
such compromise. He tore away and