The instant Melindy had jumped out of the way Mrs. Griffis ran close up to the combatants. The bear was being kept too busy to spare her any attention whatever. Coolly setting the muzzle of the big gun (which was loaded with buckshot) close to the beast’s side, just behind the fore-shoulder, she pulled the trigger. There was a roar that filled the hollow like the firing of a cannon, and the bear collapsed sprawling, with a great hole blown through his heart.
Old “Spotty” drew back astonished, snorted noisily, and rolled wild eyes upon her mistress. Then, unable to believe that her late foe was really no longer a menace to her precious calf, she fell once more upon the lifeless form and tried to beat it out of all likeness to a bear. The calf, who had been knocked over but not hurt in the bear’s charge upon Melindy, had struggled to its feet again; and Mrs. Griffis pushed it forward to attract its mother’s attention. This move proved successful; and presently, in the task of licking the little creature all over to make sure it was not hurt, “Spotty” forgot her noble rage. Then, slowly and patiently, by pushing, pulling, and coaxing, the two women got the calf up out of the hollow and along the homeward path, while the mother, heedless of her streaming wounds, crowded against them, mooing softly with satisfaction. She was craving now, for her little one, the safe shelter of the barn-yard.
At the well the quaint procession stopped, and the calf fell to nursing; while Melindy washed the cow’s wounds, and Mrs. Griffis hunted up some tar to use as a salve upon them. As she moved briskly about the yard, Melindy broke into a peal of joyous but almost hysterical laughter.
“I declare to goodness, Granny,” she cried, in response to the old woman’s questioning look, “if you ain’t just as spry as me. I’ve heard tell that bear’s grease was a great medicine for rheumatism. It’s plain to be seen, Granny, that you’ve used up a whole bear for yours.”
“It wasn’t the bear, Child!” answered the old woman, gravely. “It was that ter’ble scream o’ yours cured my rheumatiz! Old ‘Spotty,’ she come to her young one’s call. Could I do less, Child, when I heerd my little one cry out fer me?”
