Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-12-25

yet not giving up. ] began looking
INTO ever! crcv!cc and crack that
! came to-, AS | was rounding one en-
ceptionally large rock. what should 1
meet but Mr. Bear. face to face. My
first impulse was to shoot him, but
remembering my position, as guide, I
decided 10 carry" him down to the
other fellows. Backing off and at
the same time throwing u stone at
him | turned and ran down the way
had come. Maybe Mr.. Bear was
following for curiosity and maybe he
wasn't. but just the same when [
glanced back he was coming on all
tours. He must have been playing.
Tor every time ! would slow up he
would. too, and when 1 ran faster
so would he. AT last / got rather
winded aud slowed up. Bruin had
undoubtedly changed his mind, for
looking back i was surprised to see
him making right for me. This
couldn't last long SO / decided 10
shoos him after all. Taking aim as
best / could ! pulled the trigger.
The hear fell. rolled over "A few
times. and then stood clear on his
hind legs. My bullet had only grazed
him. There being drop OF about
ten feet between us. thought that
with him wounded could get TO
the others after all, so l started out
again. This time 1 didn't take to the
trail. but jumped from rock to rock,
| so that IL he followed me this would
hinder him. had gone perhaps 800
yards when upon turning ] saw, not
hfty yards away. reared on his hind
al hA kz.a . l. l.
ming from his mouth. Bringing my
rif'o to my shoulder. fired again.
but II was a clear miss. threw the
shell out and tried to pull tho lever
back. but 1t would not move. tried
! IL the other way, but with the same
result. What was ] to do? 4 700
pound bear half crazy. not over thir-
~ yards away and we with = broken
| gun. did the only thing could
think of-ran! And ran I did. TAX
ing rocks that seemed impossible te-
fore, headed for camp. Through
my mind flashed all kinds OF stories
| had heard about mad bears. l must
admit thought my end was near.
People say they haze seen ghosts
and angels. hu, tie nearest to an
angel ever saw was one of those
British officers as i rounded large
boulder.
Here's your bear" 1 yelled rs /
cnt by him. l didn't stop to see
what happened but kept right on
10 camp. Just as l camo In sight
| of camp ! heard the report of A
! and knew that it was either man or
bear that paid the penalty. but II
proved To be the bear. y bullet
Lad heen placed behind the left
| shoulder as he passed and his life
had ceased NV buIIct had inflicted
a neck wound. thus causing the
| bloody foam.
I'VE stayed out there about two
| weeks in all. AS for my rifle, 1 used
| it those two weeks, but when I got
back to town 1 told dad he had to
buy me another make rifle or / was.
lie bought one. This same one hcreJ'
| and dad spatted his 1920 as he laid il
| across his knees.
That's about all for tonight, boys.
Roll in while put out the fire"
Fifteen minutes later we were all
in our hunks" But couldn't go
10 sleep. That bear had me almost
as bad as dad. 1t was long after I
had heard the first snoring Of tho
others that 1 finally fell into n light
slumber. And that was all. for all
through the night l would dream to
the climax OF q losing fight and then
wake up. Once John snored a little
loo loud and ! thought sure it was
bear growing.
isn't about bears. Bat he's going to
tell MS some more stories soon and
I'll let all Of you in on them.
BY WILLIAM d. FRIEND.
40 North Church Street,
Rocky Mount N C.