The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-03-21
ORIGINAL TALES.
.lFor the Rhode Island Republican,
A TALE OF THE WOODS.
by II. w. q.

Listen, my son, and ! will tell ysu tale
I was, as you have often heard me say, re-
msrkably fond Of hunting, in my youth. A
passion which could nowhere have been
, more fully graiified than in this country in
, the days Of its first settlement In one OF
my excursions, had been rather unsue-
cessful, and had penetrated farther into
the forest than had been my usual practice,
when, as night was approaching, turn
ed to retrace my road home not much
fancyng a lodging in the woods in the
month Of December had travelled about
a mile on my return, wheu my dog START
ed a bear. l followed them some dis
,ance, when came to a very close thick
ct where the bear had taken refuge.
approached him cautiously. guided by
the baying of the dog, and conirived
to get within good rifle distance with
out being discovered. The bear had
taken shelter in a large OAK tree, and was
lying at his ease along one of the lower
branches, eyeiug the dog, who sat beneath
him, barking most firiously. i fred,-lhe
sound of the rifle was followed by the ,um-
bering fall of the beast. He seemed to fall
so dead tha, | neglected my usual precnu-
lion of relonding before approached him,
and wns STOPPING over him careIessly,
for the purpose of bleeding linn with my
knife, when he suddenly rose aud stoggered
off some PAGES.
followed, thinking this only the las.
effort of expiring nature; but l soon saw
my error. For finding that he was not al
lowed to retire unmolesied, he turned
upon me, and before could retreat,
found myself in his grasp. Oh, my son.
you talk Of your close hugs; and hacl,
hugs, but if you want TO know what hard
hug is, try the hug Of a bear! 1t seems as
though can even now feel my bones crack
as they did then. My right arm was pinn-
ed to my side, but had con,rived to get
the knife into my left, with which 10 vain
tried to release myself. My strength was
fast failing, and death was before my eyes
in it's most revolving form. My breath was
growing every moment shorter, and I had
ceased to hope, when heard voice a, my
elbow warning me to keep still, and the
next moment a rifle barrel glided over my
shoulder aud poured its contents into the
brain of the bear. l felt his grasp relax,
but so weak had become that could not
clear myself from his loving embrace, and
together VIC fell to the ground. Blu. with
the assistance Of my deliverer was soou
enabled to rise, aud dram from a small
bottle with which he was provided, entire
ly restored me. He then invited me Il
take my lodgings. for the night, at his cab
in, which was hut a short distance off, ant
, as the shades Of night we're already falling
accepted his sffer with thanks.
During our walk to the log cabin wer
he resided, had an opportunity to seal
the person Of him who had thus opportune
ly stepped in to preserve me from fate 81
horrible. lie appeared to he, as near as
could judge, abou, seventy years of age
His furm was about the common height
though very broad and muscular, and see,u
ed to have felt but little the influence Of 81
many Seasons. But his absent and melan
eholy manner showed that although .im'
had dealt thus leniently with bis person, th'
spirit had not been exempt from trials. w,
soon arrived al the cabin; and by the sid
Of a good fire, with the help of some steaks
which we had cut from the bear, nnd glas
Of good liquor, con,rived to think that
nigh, have got into worse quarters. Whe'
our supper was concluded, and l had toll
all tie news Of which | was possessed, 4
my host. who seemed entirely ignorant o
most that was passing out Of the woods, b
spread a couch Of skins before the fire
threw on some moro logs, and we retire'
TO rest.
When we arose, We repaired 10 the spo
were We had left the eorcass of the bear
and having skinned and quarered il, help
ed to transport it to the lodge Of my nev
acquaintance. I then prepared to take m.
leave, but he insisted so strongly on my tax
ing breakfast with hiop, that consented
When the meal was ended, hs arose
and taking his rife, prepared to nccompa
ny me - part Of my way home. As vi
parted he kindly invited me TO make hi
hut my home, whenever I came into ,b'
woods. Whether ] AN q, home or not,
said he, yos will always find something
,hers ,hs, 10 welcome to 9 ~ssry bun'er.
And rev, Yeuns man. take ,bs sd'ies 81