The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-04-09
ON these two counts the hard headed
and the sceptical throw cold water
on this romantic discovery.
THE CHILDREN'S HOUR.
DICKS ADVENTURE IN THE AD-
lRoNDAckS.

ing to his five companions the second
morning they had camped in the
mountains, 1T was beastly cold last
night"
"Never noticed it. Slept like top"
responded Jimmy O'Neill.
Eyes siree," continued Dick, glad at
having secured one listener, Coolest
night I've ever experienced out camp
ing. I'm stiff yet"
"Ha! Ha! Hal" laughed little Jack
Southern. Il reckon if you'd jump
around bit, you wouldn't be stiff"
Now you're talking, Jack" spoke
Bill Hickman. Then he added in a
superior 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" y
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 there it war, bigger'n I ever
saw one. 1t war black an before l
could turn t. get me rife, it disap-
peared"
What did you see?" asked Jimmy.
What was black?" cried Dick.
What Disappeared" Intercepted
Bob.
''TEe 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 bear and was seen
early that morning near Mr.. Jackson's
hut, only quarter of mile from the
boys camp.
1T 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. "I'll admit
I 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 I'll satisfy 'em
in the near future
Gee, it's good to get home" sighed
Billy when they reached the camp.
"An' l want little to eat before
turn in; I'm dead hungry" lamented
Jack.
Boys" suddenly called Bill, "we'll
have to take our turns on watch to
night. It's the only right thing tc
do"
"Then we can keep the fire going,
added Jimmy with. wink at Dick.
This was agreed upon. Every boy
was to guard the camp for one anC
one-half hours.
Night came on and the guard com
menced.
Il say, Dick, wake up!" loudly wills
pered Jack. Then not getting any re
Spouse, he walked over to Dicks CO
and, shaking him, called again, "Dick
it's twelve bells; your turn to guard
Get up"
''Brrr-gosh it's cold!" Dick ex
claimed as soon as he had collected
his senses, but there was no one tt
hear this exclamation, for Jack imme
diately sank down on his cot and fel
into sound sleep.
The night was very dark. Blacl
shadows lurked in every corner
CHANGING suspiciously around, Dick a
last sat down beside the fire.
He had sat thus for some time whel
suddenly he heard the sound of foot
: steps. Yes, he was not mistaken
Then some dry twigs broke. TIL,
, footsteps were approaching, slowl,
: very slowly! Dick sat as if in
trance. He could neither call 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 dark
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
, the only weapon the camp had.
3 Standing in the shadow of neigh
: boring mountain (the camp was sitr
1 ated at the foot of mountain), Die
V waited, every feature of his fac
strained and fixed. Then, out of tn
a shadows, a large black form emerged
Closer and closer it came until Their
was barely five feet between it an
!. Dick.
! Dicks heart grieyed for the unfol
, tunate beast. If it would only tur
: back, its life could be spared, but nj
the black form came on, directly Il
3 ward the tents.
For the sake of my pals!' Die
\