The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-04-17

mong groupe Of mountains, or rather
on link in the great chain Of the Alle-
ghany range, which runs in north east
ern direction in that part of Pennsylva-
MIA which bounds the New York line.
had kept the summit of the mountains
for several miles, without success, for a
breeze had arisen shortly after sunrise,
which ratified through the trees, and made
it unfavorable for hunting on high ground;
and indeed the only wild animal saw,
was bear, that was feeding on another
ridge across deep valley, and entirely
out ct reach of my rifle shot 81 there
fore descended the mountain in all oblique
direction, towards the salt springs, which
soon reached, and after finding others
had preceded me here, left the spot for
another mountain on which / intended
to pass the remainder Of the day, grad
ually working my way home. This
mountain was covered with chesnut trees,
and here it was that caught glimpse of
the bear from the other ridge, and found
he had disappeared but short time pre-
vious to my arrival on this mountain ]
followed his track for three miles, for
chesnuts lay in abundance on the ground,
and bears, like hogs, root up the leaves in
search offood beneath, aud it no doubt
had fingered about here eating Its food
until my near approach gave warning of
its danger this l could discover, as the
leaves having been wet, by the melted
frost on the top, path could be traced
where the bear in running had turned the
dried part of the leaves uppermost. ]
qulckened my pace along the mountain
side and around the turn Of the mountain
with the hopes ofsurprising the bear and
after rapid chase for the distance above
mentioned, all proved fruitless and re-
linquished further pursuit. Warm with
this exercise, and somewhat fatigued, l
descended the mountain side, and took
my seat beside stream of water which
gently washed the base of the mountain
and emptisd itself 10 the head waters of
the Susquehanna. at
| had remained sitting on fallen tree,
whose branches extended considerably
into the water, for perhaps an hour and
a half, when Of a sudden heard rust
ling among the leaves on the mountain
Immediately above nay head, which at
first was so distant that thought it mere
ly an eddy Of the wind, whirling the
leaves from the ground but it increased
30 rapidly, and approached SO near the
spot where ! sat, that instinctively seiz-
ed my rifle, ready in 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, could not discover an object
more than ten yards from me this, as
will afterwards appear, afforded me pro-
lection; at any rate it conduced to my
success. i he noise among the leaves
now became tremendous, and the object
approachedso neer, that distinctly heard
an unnatural, grunting noise, as if from
some animal in great distress. AT length
a sudden plunge into the water, not more
than twenty yards from me, uncovered to
my view fulI-grown black bear, intent
upon nothing but Its endeavors to press
through the water and reach the opposite
shore. The water on an average was
not more than two feet deep. which was
not sufficient for the animal to swim, aud
too deep to run through; consequently
the eagerness with which the bear pres
sed through the water, created such
splashing noise, as fairly echoed through
the hills. Without scarcely thought,
l brought my rifle to my shoulder with
the intention Of shooting, but before /
could sight it correctly, the bear rushed
behind rock which shielded it from my
view; this gave me momentary season
for reflection, and although could have
killed the bear SO soon as it had passed
the rock ! determined to wait the result
of such extraordinary conduct in this ami
NAL for was wonder struck at actions
which were not only strange, but even
ludicrous---there not appearing then any
cause for them. The mystery, however,
was soon unravelled.
The stream Of water was not more
than ten rods in width, and before the
bear was two-thirds across it, heard
another rustling, oa tho mountain side,
among the leaves, as if BY jumps, and a
second plange into the water convinced
me that the bear had good cause for its
precipitation for here, pressing hard
at its heels. was formidable antagonist
in an enormous Panther, which pursued
the bear with such determined invetera-
cy, and appalling growls. as made me
shudder a. with chill.
The panther plunged into the water
not more than eighteen or twenty yards
from me, and had Il been but ono third
Of that distance. ! feel convinced would
have been unheeded by this animal. 90
intent was il on the destruction of the