Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-02-09
A RENCONTRE,.

A late number Of the Oriental Sporting
Magazine printed at Calcutta, and received
by the editor Of the Salem Gazette, contains
The following account Of puglsic rencon
tire between a Major in the British East India
service and an unciyll Bear:
Major h, an officer in tho Madras
service. who was lately stationed here. had
gone ont lately to jungle at some distance
from the environments, TO look for bear. oil
which there was number IN the neighbour
hood may here mention, that those which
have been killed here. have always been found
unusually large and savage. and in several
instances have commenced the attack with
out being previously molested. After beat
ing a nullah for some time without success,
be was suddenly attacked by ALI enormous
bear. which rushed from thick patch Of
jungle few PAGES from him.
He had Just time to raise his rifle and 10
fire, before the bear was aboard OF him, he
missed. the heaters boiled, aud the only re
sistance he could make was to charge with
the muzzle Of bis rife against the bears breast
as he reared al him This lac did with so
much force. as to wrench up the elevation
rib from the barrels, Qt was seven Darrell
ed riile) and quantity Of the animals hair
was afterwards found sticking TO il The
bear directly seized him by the arm, and he
was left without bottle holder or secoud, to
mill brute who was not likely TO fight fair
at least according 10 the rules OF modern pu-
gilisfri.
The Major is man Of immense strength,
and hits with the impetus Of sleege ham
mer with one hand he battered Brain be
tween the eyes, apd with his feet kept up a
most vigorous cannonade against his bread
basket. The bear constantly shifted his bold
from one arm 10 the other, but the iron knuc-
kles Of his antagonist prevented him from
retaining bis grippe long enough TO break the
bones, and at last both fell together, brnin
uppermost. The gallant resistance . hich
the Major had hitherto made was now get
ting more feeble; he felt the hot breath Of
The bear glowing on hiss face, as bis grey
muzzle was thrust forward. endcavouiing to
seize him by The head, which he defended as
well as he could by repeated blows on the
brute's nose.
In the scuille they had both rolled to the
edge of the raome, and the final act of the
tragedy seemed approaching. when the Ma
ior gathered himself up for one last effort.
hi. right and left at his friends head, and al
the same moment drawing his knees to his
| chin, kicked our with such strength. that he
fairly canted the bear into the nollah. and
| had the Satisfaction oil seeing nm roll 10 TIT
| bottom Upon rising and shaking bimsel
/, after so extraordinary an engagement. Maj
| r found that he had escaped with much les
damage than he expected, his arms were ter
| ribly tern but he was able to walk some dis
lance 10 bis palankeen, and is now perfect.
| recovered.
A. to Bruin, although the cross buttoc
which decided the day might have been ra
iher tough one, do not suppose that b
suffered much, at least he was never NOR
seen or heard Of
4, Extraordinary and almost incredible as tn
above statement may appear. there Is M
the slightest doubt of IFS truth.
! PITTsBURG, Jan %.
RIVER 10 feet abaye low water mark, an
free from ice several arrivals ard depa
! lures of steamers since our last
Steam Boats in port-Herald, Poiande
v Battle and Lady Byron Statesman.
& The .Nonongahaia BYidge.-'l'he first pi
Z | Of this bridge gave way on Saturday la
and the two first arches fell with crash II
the river. loaded team Of FIVE horses,
a driver and two boys went with il. BY |
I r n a 81 r..