Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-06
AN ADVENTURES.

i
lishcd.
AN ADVENTURE
Ii was on as beautiful an autumnal day, as ever
ushcrcd in the Indian summer, that made an cx-
curson after game among group of mountains,
or rather link i'll the great chain of the Ale
ghany range, which runs in north eastern dircc-
ton in that part of Pcnnsy lvana which bounds the
New York line
had kept the summit Of the mountain for scvc
raj miles without success, for breeze had arisen
shortly after sunrise which ratified through the
trees and made it ni;tvorabc for hunting on higl,
grounds; and indeed the only wild animal | saw
was Il bear, that was feeding another ridge
across deep valley, and entirely out Of reach of
nv rifle shot; therefore descended the mountain
in obliquc direction, towards the salt springs,
which soon reached, and after finding others had
preceded me here, l left the spot for another
mountain on which intended to pass the rcmaind-
or of the day, gradually working my way homc.-
This mountain was covered with chestnut trees
and here it was that L caught glimpse of the bear
from the other ridge, and found he had dsap pea r.
cd but short time previous to my arrival this
mountan followed his tract for three miles, for
chcsnus lay in abundance the ground, and
bears, like hogs, root up the leaves in search of
food beneath, and it no doubt had fingered about
here eating its food until my near approach gave
warnng OF its danger; this L could discover, the
leaves having been wet by the melted frost on tho
top, path could be traced where the bear in run
ming had turned the dried part Of the leaves upper
side and around the turn of the mountain, with
the hope of surprising the bear, and after rapid
chase Tor the distance above mentioned, all proved
trutlcss, and L rcnqushcd further pursuit.
Warm W it'll this exercise, and somewhat fatgucd, |
descended the mountain side, and took my seat be-
side a stream of water which gently washed the
base of the mountain and cmptod itsclfin the head
waters of the Susquchannah.
had remained sitting on 4 fallen tree, whose
branches extended considerably into the water, for
perhaps an hour and half, when of a sudden [
heard Il rustng among the leaves on the mountain
immediately above my head which was at first so
distant that thought it merely eddy of the
wind, whirling the leaves from the ground but if
increased so rapidly and approached so near the
spot where sat, that Iinstncvcly seized my rifle
ready III moment TO meet any emergency which
might offer.
That part of the mountain where was seated.
was covered with laurel and other bushes, and
owing to the density of this shrubbery, I could
not discover an object more than ten yards from me:
TINS, as Will afterwards appear afforded me protect
ION; ut any rate 1T conducted to my success. The
NOISE among the leaves now became tremendous
ana the object approached near, that distinctly
heard an unnatural grunting noise, as if from some
animal III great distress At length Il sudden
plunge INTO the water, not more than twenty yards
from me uncovered to my view full grown black
bear intent upon nothing but its cndcavors to press
through the water and gain the opposite shorc-
Inc water on an average not more than two
feet deep, which was not sufficient for the animal
to swim, and too deep to through; consequently
the cagcrness with which the bear pressed through
the water created such Il spaShng noise as fairly
echoed through the hills. Without scarcely a
thought, brought my rifle to my shoulder with
the intention OF shooting, but before could sight
1t correctly the bear rushed behind rock which
shielded 1t from my view; this gave me Il momenta-
ry season Tor reflection, and although could have
killed the bear it passed the rock | de-
tcrmincd to await the result of such extraordinary
conduct IN this animal; for [ was wonder struck
at actions which wero not only strange but even
not appearing then any cause
Tor them. The mystery however soon unra-
Yelled
The stream of water was not more than ten
rods III width, and before the bear was two thirds
across it, heard another rustling on the noun.
tam SIDE among the leaves, if by jumps and a
second plunge into the water convinced me that
the bear had good cause for its precipitation; for
here pressing hard at its heels, was Il formidable
antagonist In an enormous panther, which pursued
the bear with such determined invetcracy, and an.
pallng growls, as made me shuddcr as with q chill.
The panther plunged into the water not more
than eighteen or twenty yards from me, and had it
been but one third of the distance [ feel convin-
ced would have been UNDECIDED by this animal,
so intent was 1T on the destruction of the bear. 1t
must indeed be an extraordinary case which will
make panther plunge into water it is Il great
characteristic of the feline species always to avoid
water unless driven to 1T, either by necessity OF
desperation; but there nature was set aside and
some powerful motive predominatcd in the passion
OF this animal, which put all laws of instinct nj
defiance, and unlike the clumsy hustlinp of the
bear through the water, the panther went with
bounds OF ten feet at timc and ere the former
reached the opposite shore, the latter was midway
OF the stream. This moment of thrilling
interest, and that feeling common to the human
breast, when the strong is combating with the
weak now took possession of mine, and espousinu
the cause OF the weaker party abstractedly from
every consideration of which was in the wrong, |
could not help wishing safety to the bear, and
death to the panther, and under the impuIsc of
these feelings, | once more brought my rifle to nv
shoulder, with the intention of shooting the pan
ther through the heart, but in spite of myself I
shrunk from the effort-perhaps it was well | re-
served my fire, for had only wounded the AMI
mai, might have been victim to its fcrocitv
80 soon as the bear finding there was no posi-
bIIty of escape from an issue with so dreadful an
enemy, that, on reaching the opposite bank of the
stream, it shook the water from its hair like doc
and ran about fifteen feet on the bank and laid
directly its back in n defensive posture. te Il
had scarcely done, when the panther reached Tho
waters edge, and then, with veil of vcngeancc
IL mace one bound, and sprung with outstrctchcd
paws, and splitting like cat, Immediately IN tbe
bear, which lay IN terror the ground ready TO
receive ITS antagonist but the contest was soon at
an end. Not more easily does the earle rcnd in
sundcr It's tcrror-strickcn prey than did the ezra
gcd panther tear in scattered fragments The HELPLESS
bear; 1T appeared but the work of q moment and
that moment was one of unrcIcnting vengeance,
Tor no sooner did the panther alight on its victim,
man with the most fcrocisus yclls it planted it's
hinder claws deep in the cntras of the bear. and
toy few rips tore its antagonist into pieces AL
though the bear was full grown it musi have been
young and in want Of energy, for it was so over
come with dread, as not to be able to make the least
satisfied III Cutting its vengeance, the panther
turned from the bear, and came directly to the wa
tcrs edge to drink, and aay the parchino thirst
created by 50 great excitement, after which it look
eo hTSI Jana thcn down the stream, as though he
sought place to rccross. that if rirht avoid flo
water; and then, as if satiatcd with rcvcroc and
enjoying It's victory, stood twisting and curlinr ifs