The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-04-01
From the Vermont Statesman.
THE BEAR HUNT.

1t was about the year 1850, or therea
bouts, when stormy day had driven the
hardy settlers Of Winchendon from field
and forest, that half dozen merry fell
lows had congregated themselves together
around the roaring FIRE in the bar room Of
the log hotel of Peter Jenkins. There they
chatted over the few passing occurrences of
the day, and boosted of their hunting feats
how courageously they grappled with the
bear, and how cunningly they trapped the
wolf as he came to visit the fold, and such
like stories-ever and anon taking copious
draughts of beer from the large brown
pitcher that sat on the hearth before them.
Among the rest, none were so boastful and
loud in making known their daring deeds
as Jack Puffer. Now he was a notorious
coward, and "as hen-hearted as Jack Puff
fer" was common in every urchin's mouth
in the settlement; and spit on the face
was considered no more of an insult than
was this epithet.
IF the story of valiant exploit was told
by one, Jack was sure to have practised
nearly the same, in a little superior style
thus, if one had found wild cat, and in
want of safer means, had assembled the tree
and dashed out his brains with club, Jack
instead of furnishing himself with blud-
geon, he climbed the tree, dragged the ami
NAL squalling down by the tail and choked
him to death with his thumb and finger.
As he related his superior exploits, a
sheer or a grin of disapprobation was visi-
bic on the faces of the company, notwith-
standing the enlivenng effects of the beer:
and as he rose to replenish the two quart
pitcher, for the third time, from the barrel
that stood on a stool in the corner, "know-
ing wink" passed around the company, and
a whisper, that they would put Pufcr's cour-
age to test. In a few minutes, Puffer
had occasion to leave the room, when the
following plan was divulged:
You, (said Ichaood Ashley to Horatio
Quimby) you shall be transformed to bear,
by lncasing yourself in the skin that hangs
in the chamber, and retire to the woods,
and take your station by the path that leads
to the spring, while | will watch outside,
and, at proper time, give the alarm" Ac-
cordngly Quimby's limbs were immured in
the hide of the animal, and Bruin took his
departure. Meanwhile, the charge of pow
der was drawn from Puffer's gun, and some
thing less ignitious inserted in its place, and
10y the time Pufer returned, all were seated
as usual.
They had scarcely had time to crack
single joke, before they were aroused by
the tremendous cry of "a Bear! A Bear %
which few minutes demonstrated to pro-
coed from between the lantern jaws of Ich-
Abod, who out of breath, came running into
the room. In an instant, each one flew to
his musket, powder-horns and shot pouches
ratified to their places, hints were tried,
plan of action was matured by lchabod, and
soon all were on the line of march to hunt
the bear-Pufer among the rest. The
plan of Ichabod was, that each should take
different paths, the better to scour the woods
this was adopted, Notwithstanding the
loud plea of Puffer, that it would be better
to march IN solid column. The path that
led by the spring was allotted to Puffer,
and all parted as agreed.
He had gone but short distance, when
10 he discovered in the snow the track of
the bear. He trembled, and for a moment
half turned upon his heel to flee with all
his might. But he thought of his Boosting,
and the laugh he should be subject to if he
thus returned, and proceeded slowly for
ward.
He had proceeded but few rods further,
jim passing by large tree, ne came pat
upon the thing of all his dread-the bear
itself! which saluted him with a growl that
made his limbs quake again. In q moment,
pufer wac upon the gallop, and the bear,