The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-04-30

aging cry TO RierrOr Sne stopped 10
gather it over her shoulder as he ran
past her. She lost only moment or
two, ana was after him. Fifty yards
ahead of her Pierrot gave warning
shout Baree had turned. Almost in
the same breath he was tearing over
his back trail, directly toward the
Willow. He did not see her in time
to stop or swerve aside, and Nepeese
flung herself down In his path. For an
instant or two they were together.
Baree felt the smother of her hair. and
the clutch Of her hands. Then he
squirmed away and darted again to-
ward the blino end of the canyon.
Nepeese sprang to her feet. She
was panting-and laughing. Pierrot
came back wildly, and the Willow
pointed beyond him.
Il had him-and he didn't bite !"
she said, breathing swiftly. She still
pointed to the end of the canyon, and
she said again: II had him-and he
didn't bite me, Nootawe!'
That was the wonder of 1t. She had
been reckless-and Baree had not BIT
ten her! 1t was then, with her eyes
shining at Pierrot, and the smile fad
ing slowly from her lips. that she
spoke softly the word "Baree," which
in her tongue meant ''the wild dog
a little brother of the wolf.
Come" cried Pierrot, "or we will
lose him"
Pierrot was confident. The canyon
had narrowed. Baree could not get
past them unseen. Three minutes later
Baree came to the blind end of the
canyon-a wall Of rock that rose
straight up like the curve of dish.
Feasting on fish and long hours of
sleep had fattened him, and he was
half winded as hes sought vainly for
an exit. He was at the far end of the
dishlike curve of rock, without bush
or clump of grass to hide him, when
PierrOt and Nepeese saw him again.
Nepeese made straight toward him.
PierrOt, foreseeing what BARGE would
do, hurried to the left, at right angles
to the end of the canyon.
In and out among the rocks BARGE
sought swiftly for IL way of escape.
In moment more he had come to the
box" or cup of the canyon. This was
break in the wall. fifty or sixty feet
wide. which opened into natural
prison about an acre in extent. 1t
was a beautiful spot. On all sides but
that leading into the coulee 1t was
shut in by walls Of rock. At the far
end waterfall broke down in a series
Of ripping cascades. The grass was
thick underfoot and strewn with flow
ers. In this trap Pierrot had got more
than one fine haunch of venison. From
it there was no escape, except in the
face of his rifle. He called to Nepeese
as he saw BARGE entering it, and to-
gether they climbed the slope.
Baree had almost reached the edge
of the little prison meadow when sud-
denly he stopped himself so quickly
that he fell back on his launches, and
his heart jumped up into his throat.
Full in his path stood WakayoO, the
huge black bear!
For perhaps half-minute Baree
hesitated between the two perils. He
heard the voices of Nepeese and Pier
ROT. He caught the rattle of stones
under their feet. And he was filled
with great dread. Then he looked
at Wakayoo. The big bear had not
moved an inch. He, too, was listening.
But to him there was thing more
disturbing than the sounds he heard.
1t was the scent which he caught in
the air-the man-scent.
Baree. watching him. saw his head
swing slowly even as the footsteps of
Nepeese and Pierrot became more and
more distinct. 1t was the first time
Baree had ever stood face to face with
the big bear. He had watched him
fish; he had fattened on Wakayoo's
prowess; he had held him in splendid
awe. Now there was something about
the bear that took away his fear and
gave him in its place a new and thrill
ing confidence. Wakayoo, big and
powerful as he was. would not run
from the two-legged creatures who
pursued him! If Baree could only get
past Wakayoo he was safe!