The herald., 1837-03-01

mllteu lner oepredaons In the sheep folds ana corn
fields OF the settlers. "A bear of large growth had
found his way into field of Indian corn, belonging TO
Mr. j., about half mile from his house, and had done
much damage TO the crop before the owner discover
ed the respass AT the place of his nativity MI. }.
enjoyed the reputation of distinguished duck hunter,
and If he possessed any vanity il lay in that enjoy
ment. Bat now he felt in antIcpallon much more
sublime pleasure which waited him, in hunting and
killing game Of vastly more exalted character while
in the act OF mischief But such treat he consider
ed too precious TO be enjoyed alone, and having an
opportunity OF sending directly his brother Richard
Johnson, whom he hat left Rhode Island, hewrote
him lotter stating the facts, and desiring hlm TO
come to Vermont, without delay, pay him visit and
share in the sport of killing the bear. Richard cheer
fully obeyed the summons, and within ten days from
the date ef the letter, was with his brother Abraham
in his snug log cabin in the new state. NO tune was
now los, mn IN making preparation TOR the ne, slaughter Of
double shotted for the occasion. The two brothers,
thus accouired courageousy sailed FORTH upon
dark and cloudy evening TO put in execution deed
of daring which had been long and anxously contem
plated by ~. The bear had particular place IN
the log fence, through which he nightly ente ed and
left the cornfield.
On their way to the place of execution, it was
agreed that A. should take his station within the en-
closure three or four places from the place where the
bear was in the habit of making his entrances and
It's with view TO cut of his retreat in Il. should
not dispatch him while pulling down the ears of corn
A. beng stationed, X. cautiously, and as silently as
ly stopping and listening till at length he heard the
bear tearing down and champiag the corn. 1t was
too dark for r. to distinguish the bear from the hills
of corn, and feeling little dclcacy about advancing
too near such a neighbor he concluded to take as
good ann as he could under existing circumstances,
towards the noise the bear made and draw trigger
THIS he did. Bruin, frightened than hurt by the
blaze and report of the gun, drew line, with all his
force and speed, toward his passway in the fence,
withou, any regard to the damage he was doing in
threshing down the corn. Abraham's part in the
drama was now to be performed. He had seated him
self upon the ground, between rows of corn, hop
ing, by placing himself in that humble posture, he
should be able TO see better how TO take aim on the
approach of the bear The rustng which bruin made
among the corn Immediately after the report of the
gun, gave TO A. fearful notice of the bears course
The renowned duck-hunter, with all his prowess, now
felt his hair brisng upon his head, and cold chill
thrilled through his whole frame. The dreadful
thought Instantly struck him. that his brother had on
ly wounded the bear, and thereby put him into such
rage that he would tear in pieces any one he sheuld
meet But il was now too late TO save himself by
running. As soon therefore, as he perceived by the
noise that the bear close upon him, he placed his
gun, nearly as he could, in horizontal direction
and, in the utmost trepdahon, let fly.
The light OF the flash unveiled to the afrighted hun
ter momentary view of the enraged animal and the
next second he felt the mpetuOus and rude shock of
the bear dashing him back upon the ground, and ra-
king his tremendous claws over his PROSTATE body.
X. who had began to little from his fright
age and made his way, with as much speed as poss
BILE, through the corn toward him, halloong shave
you killed him ?-haye you killed him Z" but no re-
sponse was made; all was deep and dark silence
Richards tears were awakened anew he advanced
hesltatngy and with breathess silence, toward the
place where his brother had stationed himself and
again called, with tremuous voice, brother A.
where are your heightened groan saluted his ear
followed by faint voice, ."Oh! DEAR dear brother
Richard Pm dead man! the bear fell upon me, and
has torn my bowels all out; do ran TO the house and
bring lantern and some water; and tell my wife
what has happened; tell her if she wishes to me
again, alive, to run as fast as possible for grow
fainter and fainter every breath ! draw-oh dear,
dear, dear" r., though greatly distressed and over
come with fear on account OF his BROTHER felt de-
sire to ascertain far as was practicable in the dark
some of the circumstances attending his case and ask
ed him how he knew that his bowels torn out
by the bearf "How do know 2" replied he, with
very feeble voice, "do just put your hand down here
and feel for yourself" He did SO, and instantly
ed back with horror, crying out, your bowels are
out enough? What can be doncr The scene
had now become truly distressing. II was dark no
light assistance could be procured short of running
to the house for them But before r. started for that
purpose, he assisted his wounded brother Ia collect
together the scattered entras and, placing them on
his body eniozcd upon him to be careful to keep them
IN that position, that the, might remain warm en-
couragng him by expressing hope that if they were
not broken DIR. f., for whom he should send mme
dlately might replace them and sew up the breach
by deep groan. X was soon at the house, and al
most brcahless communicated the awful fidings to
the afflicted family, who having heard the report of
the guns were impatently waiting with pleasing an
ticpaiions, the return of the hunters dragging their
victim, the slaughtered bear.
Who can describe their disappointment or convey
any adequate idea of the distress eccasioned the
whole family by the Of the sad disasterl RI
directed one Of the children TO run instantly to Dr. P
who lived at the next house. inform him of what had
happened, and request his immediate attendance. In
the mean time lantern with a high ed candle and a
pitcher of water procured and all other neces-
sary preparations hastily made TO repair with all pos
sIbe despatch, to the supposed dying man, AT the
cornfeld- The DIR. ordered his son TO go directly and
yoke up the of Mr.. j., put them 10 the sed
place straw bed upon it and drive as fast as poss
BILE, observing TO his son, if Mr.. j. should be found
alive, that would be the best mode of conveying him
10 his house Brother r., Mrs. j., the Dr., with the
principal part of their fames were soon mt the
field, surrounding their wounded lend and neighbor.
They found him in the same position in which brother
A. had left him, lying fiat on his back and carefully
encircing with his arms the naked intcsines, but 80
far exhausted that II with the utmost difficulty
ne was able to make himself heard when he attempt
ed to speak His wife with the lantern in her hand
trembling with fear approached him. and with voice
broken by sobs and sighs, asked, Mr. are you yet
alive 7" To which he answered, o dear, dear! I
am jus, alive; bur my hands and feet are growing
cold. Pm glad TO see you all once more DR.. can
Ven help me any wayl" The DIR. took the lantern
and, after few moments examination, observed,
"Neighbor j., find quantity Of lntestlnes here,
h.t 10 fhavh halauu ia IN than vet able