The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1910-08-27

tritious- buffalo-grass.
Reynolds had seen no sign Of In
dams. AS he was yet full hall
days ride outside the danger lines
he boldly made coffee over fire OF
dry sage-bush, ate frugal and hasty
supper, and then. far more Wearied
than his pony, composed himself TO
sleep.
The moon was riding high when
the scout was reused by Calamity s
shrill snort-a note of warning or in
quiry.
REYNOLDS rose instantly to an elbow.
keen-eved and alert, he was lying on
fiat ground with low foothills on
each side, and in the food of moon
light every object within many rods
was distinctly visible.
Calamity was standing with ears
erect, his nose pointing toward tn
nearer hills. He stood thus for some
seconds, then quietly resumed graz
ing.
Although Reynolds could make out
uOlIIl<s uIluSuul lOoI " q olttIllE
posture. and presently saw a shutting
figure dimly outlined against gray
bank of sage bush. This shadOwy OBJ
ject drew nearer, and at last there
were revealed the huge shoulders and
dropping head of a grizzly bear COM
ing leisurely along the bottom-land.
AS it approached it reared its great
head, apparently regarding the buck
skin pony with covetous eyes.
Calamity grazed on with indiffer-
ence. The bear came still nearer,
going in a half circle, with prob
able intention of rushing the game
at close quarters.
When the animal was within a few
rods, Reynolds raised his carbine, the
only weapon he carried. There was
light enough to see his sights, after
fashion, and he aimed at the bears
head and fired. little caring whether
he killed the brute or merely fright
ened it away.
He did neither. The grizzly was
hit somewhere about the face, and
whirled round, boxing its own jaws
like a circus clown. Calamity rails
ed his head and looked on with a
snort, as of contemptuous amuse-
ment
Reynolds spTang to his feet and
fired again. Then the grizzly charged
him. Reynolds put a third bullet into
the beast, but it still came on furi-
ously
The scout pumped the lever again
swiftly, and damned swelled shell
halfway into the barrel.
He "yanked" once more and broke
the extractor. In the same instant
there was a clatter of hoofs; then
in confused, uproarious tumble.
How Reynolds got out Of the melee
without broken bones he was unable
to tell; but fearfully thumped and
bruised; he found himself lying upon
his back, gasping and bewildered.
Still the tumult of fighting was in
his ears.
When his momentary giddiness had
passed away the scout staggered to
his feet and turned to witness
fight so fast. SO fierce and furious
that he stood for some seconds star
ing in amazement.
Badly wounded by bullets though |
The grizzly was, it seemed as if Calam-
ty must be killed or must save him
self by running. But the pony was en-
gagged in a logged, vicious struggle, |
n which there was certainly de- |
gree OF intelligent manoeuvering.
Again and again the maddened bear
charged upon him with jaws agape
and with hoarse, barking grunts OF
age; again and again Calamity dodg-
I'd, countercharged, and battered the
yrizzly's TANKS with his lightning
ore-hoof stroke. His pounding
sounded like muffed bassdrum beats.
More than once the grizzly gave Ca
amity Bullets that would have knock
ID another pony off its feet, but with
'hrill snorts and squeals and crack
ng thumps from his heels the fierce
,ony retorted. 1t was, indeed, a
lind of titanic boxing-match.
Thus fighting, the beasts circled
ound Reynolds, who ran about, half
rantic at his helplessness.
He picked up his carbine, which
ay near at hand and broke both
ladies' OF his pocket-knife trying to
xtract the damned shell. There was
10 use trying; only with steel rod
inside the barrel could he batter the
artridge out, and he had no rod at
and.
He stood overwhelmed with a sense
f frightful responsibility. If Calam-
y were to be killed or too much in