Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-05-25
TIE SAILOR AND THE BEAR.

A Hull whaler was moorcd to field of
ice, on which at n considerable distance,
q large bear, was observed prowlng about
for prey. One of the ships company, en-
boldencd by artificial courage, derived
from the free use OF his rum, which in his
economy he had stored for special occa
sions, undertook to pursue and attack the
bear that was within view. Armed only
with whale lance, he rcsourcy and
against a. persuasion, set out on his advcn-
turous exploit. A fatiguing journey Of
about half league, over surface OF yield
Ing snow and rugged hummocks, brought
him within few yards of enemy, which
to his surprise, undaun,e eddy faced him, and
seemed to invite him to the combat. His
courage being by this time greatly sub
dued, partly by the evaporation Oh The slim
illus he had employed, and partly by the
nudlsmaycd and even threatening aspect of
the bear, he lcvclcd his lance, in an att
-nlG either for the offensive or defensive
action, and stopped. The bear also stood
sill. In vain the udventurer tried to rally
courage to make the attack; his enemy
was too formidable, and his appearance toe
! imposing. In vain also he shouted, ad-
vanced his lance, and made fclnts Of attack
| the enemy, either not understanding them
or de, pising such Unmanllness obstinatcy
stood his ground. Already the limbs o.
the sailor began to shake, the lance lrcm
bled in the rest, and his gaze, which hat
hitherto been steadiast. began to culver
bu, the fear Of rldlcue from his messma'e s
,tlII had It's Influence, and he yet scarcely
dared TO retreat Bruin, however, posses
sing less reflection or being more regard
less OF consequences, Began, with The mos
audacious hnldn9s-. - advance. His Dgl
approach and mistaken step subdued thu
spar: Of bravery and that dread Of rdl
culo that had hitherto upheld our advcn
turcr; he turned and fed But now wa:
the Tine of danger. The sailors fligh
encouraged the b ar in his turn to pursue
and being better pr0ctced in snow travel
ling, and better provided for it, he rapid,
gained upon the fugitive, The whal
lance, his only defence, encountered him II
his retreat, he threw ii down, aod kept on
THIS fortunately excited the bears nttcn
ton, he stopped, paved il, bit it, and the
resumed the chase. Again he was at tn
heels o. the painting seaman, who, con
sclous Of the favorable effect of the lance
dropped a mitten; the s,ralogem succeeded
and while bruin again stopped to eXamln
it, the fugitive improving the interval, mad
considerable progress ahead Still tn
bear resumed the pursuit, with the mos
, provoking perseverance,, excepting whe
arrested by another mlttcn, and final
, by q hat, which he tore to shreds hctwee
, his tech and his paws, and would n
doubt have soon made the incauliou
, advcnturcr his victim, who was rapid
: losing strength and heart, but for promp
, and we'll tuned assistance of his ship mate
{ who, observing that the affair had assume
dangerous aspect, sailed out to his re-
cue. The li:tlc phalnnX opened him pa:
sage, and then closed TO receive the bol
n assallant. Though now beyond the reuc
r of his adversary, the dsmayed tugitiy
I continued onward, impeled by his fear
s and never relaxed ms oXcrllons until |
. fairly reached the shelter Of the ship! Bru
once more prudenlIy came 10 a stand, al
for moment seemed to survey his cnemi,
Y with all the consideration Of an eXperincl
Y general; when finding them too numerol
/ for reasonable hope Of success, he We
n wisely wheeled ahnnt and s"c"oedod
Q making safe aud honorable retreat
:, by's J0urnai