OCR Text |
Show Trapper Rides 'Bear-Back' Thru Woods; Brings in Hide CAUCOMGOMAC LAKE. Me. (American Wire) John McEachern, Mc-Eachern, veteran trapper, tells the tallest bear story of the year and natives of this wilderness district are inclined to believe it. McEachern declares he rode on the back of a maddened bear for two miles before he killed it. Two weeks ago, the hunter tells, he met a huge t-lack bear while following his trap line. When the bear rushed, McEachern McEach-ern fired at it. His gun was loaded only with bird s'iiot, and didn't faze Mr. , Bear. I and natives rT-rrwi'iw ; 'Tm 1 district are inc' ''tS," t-y 1 McEachern dec :. jtftSfjZ ' . 2 j the back of a i " 'fX "' A two miles befo . - t ' Two weeks 1 T J tii ' ' . tells, he met s 1 - n while followin " Jty "i When the beai ' aiH?( ern fi,'ecl at " I' - : Ssi. J His gun was . - ?ss i !I bird s'iiot, and 1 '-' ': 1 I fX Bear. Tripped The bear rushed rush-ed on, and McEachern Mc-Eachern turned and ran. He tripped over a root and fell. The bear, right behind him, also tripped. The hunter knew he was lost if he tried to ,run again. Before the bear could get to its feet, McEachern straddled its back and clutched clutch-ed deep into the fur. Over ridges and thru hollows the bear raced, growling and trying to snap back at McJi-achern. vvhen tne bear would stop, the hunter would grab its ears so it could not turn its head. Fortunately, For-tunately, the animal didn't rear back. Had Hunting Knife McEachern remembered, finally that he had a hunting knife in his pocket. He worked this out and opened the blade with his teeth. Up went his arm, and plunged the knife in the racing bear's hide. Again and again, as the bear growled and howled, the hunter stabbed the brute. Finally, the animal sank to the ground. McEachern leaped off then the bear got up again. But its strength was gone, and the hunter could keep out of the maddened brute's way. He couldn't get in close enough to use the knife again,, so he picked up a handy birch pole and battered the beast over the head with it. Knocked Hear Out When he had knocked the bear out, he finished the animal with the knife. Exhausted, McEachern skinned the animal, cut off some juicy steaks and staggered to his cafc-in, after a "bear-back" ride of over two miles! In telling the story, he concludes, with a twinkle in his eye: "And here's the bear skin to prove the truth of the story!" |