The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-07-14
Is Said That Is Better To Be Happy Than To Be Rich but
A LEAP FOR LIFE


1
Some persons have more than their
fair share of adventure. or this fortu-
nate-or unfortunate-class IL Mr.. W.
G. Gilbert. the hero Of an extraordi-
nary experience told by Mr.. R. d.
Strong in the Wide World Magazine
Mr.. Gilbert had been exploring an
unfrequented cave high up In the side
Of deep canyon In Yellowstone park
when he suddenly came upon huge
silver tip bear that showed unmistak-
able signs of displeasure at being dis
turbed. The man dashed out Of the
den, with the snarling bear close at his
heels.
The face OF the canyon was almost
sheer precipice. To try to run down 1t
was certain death. for II he did not
make misstep and go tumbling to the
bottom before he had gone hundred
feet the bear would almost instantly
overtake him. Despairingly he looked
about him.
form OF an old aerial tramway that had
/ been used to carry ore across the can
yon to the other side. One Of the big
iron buckets In which the ore had been
carried still swung on its two little
wheels from the rusted wire cable eight
or ten feet out from the platform-just
out Of reach. 1t offered the only avail
able means Of escape, however. and
the hunted man took the chance.
With a shrill cry, for the bear was al
most upon him. Gilbert sprang for
ward and. with every muscle set. leap
ed out from the platform toward the
bucket, the edge of which he just man.
aged to grasp with his fingers.
He struggled hard to raise himself
and climb In, but for long time the
swinging bucket thwarted every effort
Finally he got leg over the edge. Ia
boriously clambered in and sank ex.
hausted to the bottom.
Baked OF his prey. the angry bear
began to claw and tear at the slender
cable. In some way the animal touch
ed the big wheel over which the cable
ran. The wheel began to turn. and. as
1t turned. the bucket, with Its human
freight, ran rapidly down the cable,
swaying and swinging as IL about to
turn over.
Suddenly there was q tearing. snap
ping sound. and several strands of the
rust eaten. weather beaten cable part
ed. The bucket sagged downward
sickeningly.
Looking out. Gilbert saw that only
half a dozen strands now sustained
the weight Of the bucket. II they
should part he would be dashed down
upon the rocky bottom Of the canyon.
fully 200 feet below.
II was a serious predlcament The
cable might part under his weight at
any minute. or, the bear might strike
the twisted wires a bard blow, which
would almost certainly break them.
He could not pull the bucket along.
for the guide cable overhead had dis.
appeared years before. Although there
was little hope that any one would
hear him in that remote and lonely
region, he shouted aloud for help.
Fortunately for Gilbert a party of
men passing near by heard bis call
and hurried to his rescue. But when
they saw his plight they were at a
loss how to save him. At last one of
them jumped on his horse. dashed
back TO the outfit wagon and returned
with several long fish lines and all
the rope be could find.
In a few minutes be had whitfield
out a rough bow and arrow. After
tying the 1sh line to the arrow he
shot the latter up and over the bucket
Then Gilbert pulled up the rope which
had been fastened to the line and tied
Il to the cable.
Il was desperate chance for life.
but II was bis only one Carefully.
without a single unnecessary motion.
be stood up IL the bucket, grasped the
rope, clambered over the side and be-
ran to lower himself
Slowly. foot by foot. he came down
The hearts OF the men below almost
ceased to beat as be covered a quarter
Of the distance. then a half. then
three-quarters. then ALI As he reach
ed the ground they gave a hearty
cheer that woke the echoes far and
wide. but Gilbert dId not hear Il He
bad fallen 10 a swoon the momenk
bis feet touched the earth