The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-05-21

camping. I'm StlH yet.
''Ha! Ha! Hal" laughed little Jack
Southern. Il reckon If you'd jump
around bit, you wouldn't be stiff"
Nov you're talking, Jack" spoke
Bill Hickman. Then he added in SUI
perior tone, Here, Stead, get this
pail filled and see how soon you can
come back"
The boys spent the greatest part of
that day in town, that is, the little
mountain village which was situated
five miles north of the camp.
Entering the sleepy little town they
were at once attracted by large
crowd, all apparently talking at the
same time.
Something's turned the place up
side down." exclaimed Bobby Brink
"Come on, fellows" called Jack, who
had hurried ahead, "some excitement
anyway"
They made their way through the
crowd and soon stood directly before
old Mr.. Jackson, by occupation hun
ter.
They were just in time to hear the
following remarks:
"And here it war, biggern I ever
saw one. 1t war black an before I
could turn t. get me rife, it disap-
peared."
what did you see?' asked jim
my.
"What was black?" cried Dick
"What disappeared" Intercepted
Bob
"The BEAR of counsel" sharply re-
torted an old lady standing nearby.
However, they were not to be put
off by her. Surrounding Mr.. jackson,
they asked him to relate the story
again.
Yes, it was a bear and was seen
early that morning near Mr.. Jack
sons hut, only a quarter of mile
from the boys camp.
''It war the first one I've seed for
nigh on two years in these parts" he
finished, shaking his head wisely.
The boys did not know whether to
take the bit of news seriously or as
joke, and it was only when they re-
turned home that they gave it any
consideration.
I'm glad this bear episode has
turned up began Jimmy.
Same here" spoke Bob. 'Tll ad
nit | was rather disguised with the
place yesterday, but better luck is in
sight, no doubt"
"The girls are always bargaining
for something thrilling in the letters,
laughed Dick. "Mebbe Ill satisfy EN-
in the near future >,
Gee, it's good to get home" sigh
ed Billy when they reached the camp
can I want a little to eat before
turn in; I'm dead hungry" lamentet
Jack.
Boys" suddenly called Bill, "we'l
have to take our turns on watch to
night. It's the only right thing tt
do"
Then we can keep the fire going,
added Jimmy with wink at Dick.
This was agreed upon. Ever, DO.
was to guard the camp for one ant
one-half hours.
Night came on and the guard com
menced.
Il say, Dick, wake up!" loudly whis
pered Jack. Then not getting any re
spouse, he walked over to Dicks co
and, shaking him, called again, "Dich
it's twelve bells; your turn to guard
Get up"
"Brrr-gosh, it's cold" Dick ez
claimed as soon as he had collecte
his senses, but there was no one t
hear this exclamation, for Jack i'm
mediately sank down on his cot an
fell into sound sleep.
The night was very dark. Blac,
shadows lurked in every corner
CHANGING suspiciously around, Dick a
last sat down beside the fire.
He had sat thus lor some time whe
suddenly he heard the sound of foo
steps. Yes, he was not mistaken
Then some dry twigs broke. TIL
footsteps were approaching, slowly
very slowly! Dick sat as if in
trance. He could neither cal. no
move. His eyes anxiously peered int
the darkness. All was silent for
minute, then a low, deep growl wa
heard. Dicks brown eyes grew darl
er and wider as he sat there an
stared
Again he heard the growl. Thi
time he arose, went into the tent an
quickly returned with the big rifle, tn
only weapon the camp had.
| Standing in the shadow of a neigl
boring mountain (the camp was sit
ated at the foot of mountain, Die
: waited, every feature of his fac
strained and fixed. Then, out of tn
shadows, large black form emerged
Closer and closer it came until theT
was barely five feet between it an
{ Dick.
Dicks heart grieved for the unto
tunate beast. If it would only tur
back, it's life could be spared, but NJ
: the black form came on, directly t
ward the tents,
7 For the sake of my pals" Die
, cried in an unnatural voice, and fire.
Without moan, the bear fell in
heap, not three feet from where Die
stood, with the tears coursing dow
his cheeks.
The echo of the shot still LINGERIE
> in his ears when a number OF voice
, excitedly demanded What's I'll
trouble?" Then Jacks smooth draw
, ;o1r