The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1910-01-07

- M 4;i Il Il -
Against all this | had the consola-
tory assurance that the grizzly bear
never climbs, which, as the trees were
all ON the side Of the bear. did not add
mach To my sense of security. Hut
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 preclpitous sides
and dry bed. which probably led
down To some neighborlng stream OF
water
"'Now,' thought |, 1 have only to
crawl along this ditch, reach the
stream, cross II aud bid goodby to
grizzly
II had Just picked myself up and
wns proceeding to carry out my plan
of escape when | heard cracking
aud breaking " the underbrush which
frInged the ditch and by which was
partly screened from view. This was
speedily followed by an angry growl
ny the ircachcrous earth gave way and
let MIR. Rear with no gentle tumble
directly down into the very gully into
which | had fallen.
Fortunately for me, bruin had not
only II greater fall. but tumbled Into
the ditch ut II point somewhat distant
from my hiding place. and the little
ferret eyes did not at once perceive
me, An unlucky stumble. however,
which | owed to II twisted root, be-
trayed me, aud he turned aud gave
chase.
"fhey have II very expressive phrase
In California when II person IL desired
To lenye suddenly. II consists Of but
when that benr tumbled into my gully
I got and when he took up the chase
| continued to git IN u style which
nstonished even myself
"Wheu | first saw him fail | certain.
Is hoped TINT he Ind broken his nose
ut least or even dlslocaicd his great
ugly neck. but that hope vanished In
II moment.
"IIe was evidently not whit the
worse for his somersnult.
al was no longer n matter OF cere-
mony. | sped over the ground like u
hunted deer, while my stout friend
came numbering aud pulling on behind.
like portly old gentleman who fcars
he mny he too late for the evening
train. was expecting every moment
I" feel the blow of his heavy paw,
when, turning nm nnglo Of the gully.
perceived, with no little dlsmay, that
the ditch In front Of me was blocked
by mn immense fallen tree. The small
or end Of the broken trunk, being to-
ward me, showed M opening wide
enough TO admit my then somewhat
more thnn usually slender form,
"fherc WINS little time for hesitation.
| could hear the bears heavy trump
behind me. A moment more and
had plunged into the opening and drew
my gun nfter me. just ns my fat friend
rounded the turn Of the slough In hot
pursuit. Running blndly on, he On
dcavored to force himself after me,
giving the log II shock which made inc
ircmble for the security of my new
tenement.
"Qnp or two furious plunges tended
to convince him that I could enter
here his huge frnme could not, for lac
seemed 10 reflect and tinnlly intro,
duccd n pnw. from whose farreac hing
grab | retired into tho inner rcccsses
Of nv cbnmbcr
"rIndlup ihot his attempts I'm thla
wny were cuunlIy futile. bcaau to
feel n little more nj rnse. md when
bruIn npnin pokcd I'm his grent pnw I'm
push n dcnd duck oul 10 him with the
butt of nv gun by wuy Of n ence OF.
ferIng was willing Inst then TO haye
neace at any prize, short Of surrender,