The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-12-31

probable that this stronghold was well known to
the savage brute Of which he was in chase; and
the pass once occupied by her all means of retreat
were cut off to poor Kate. There was madness IN
the thought Charles ground his teeth together III
agony; and although the violence of previous eX-
cron had already caused the blood to gush from
his uoslrills, he still attempted 10 press forward
wnh increased speed.
But the case was now hopeless. The bear was
already within ten yards of the foot of the rock,
while the distance between her and her pursucr
was still upward of hundred. well directed
! rife bullet now appeared 10 Charles the only thing
that could save The life of his unconscious cousin;
and OH how fervenlIy did he pray ,po0r fellow that
hand aud eye might prove true in This his hour OF
need, Hating ut once, and dropping one knco,
he raised the rifle tn his shoulder, took long aim
and fired. Is she down? Alas, no! Who could di-
rect rifle truly after such IL run! The hand that
held the long barrel trcmblcd like an aspen leaf
the bullet flow FAR wds Of the mark and ere the
second barrel! could be discharged, the bear had
disappeared among the thick brushwoOd which
covered the side Ct the heath
%, Eule my beloved Kate exclaimed Charles
siarlirgto his feet and again pushing wildly fer
ward, wilcout waiting to reload.
ny the tine Charles reached the foo, oflhc rock
the bear had already accomplished more than Two
thirds Of the ascent; and in few seconds more
poor Kate, who was still unconscious Of danger
would have been casped in the deadly Embrace Of
hcrpaws.
'IYhat is the matter dear Charles'' exclaimed
Kate who having rushed eagerly toward tho edge
ef the rock on the approach Of her cousin, started
back with horror at is exhausted Appearance, and
tI,n ii IyC,n .'rils had
dyed his clothes in front Of crimson color.
Stand back, dearest, stand back Your life de-
ponds upon H. exclaimed Charles, Keeping his
eye steadily fixed upon the bear, and slowly rails
ng his rife.
Kate terrified by the wild energy Of her cous-
MS manner, shrunk back, without uleriag word
and the next moment the sharp report Of Il rife
was answered hya savage roar, winch proved
tina, the sho, had taken effect.
The wounded bear now turned open-mou,hed
upon her pursrcr, and rushed IuriOusly down the
steep pathway to attack him.
Charles, who felt load removed from his
heart, now that the rage of the bear was turned
against himself, threw aside his discharged rifle,
drew his hunting knife and coolly awaited The at-
tack
So furious was the onsc, of the bear tina, al
though Charles drove his hunting knife upto the
hill in her body, he was borne 70 the ground with
Snlii"lrnt violence TO be completely stunned, and
deprived Of the power Of motion.
OH how bitterly did poor Kate row repent Of
having taken part in sport so iil-sucd 10 her sex,
and how socmnIy bid she vow never more 10 be
guilty Of such folly, when she heheld her gallant
cousin, after having rskcd his life in her defence,
lying helpless and inscnslbc beneath the enormous
weight Of the dying bear, who, in her last efforts
Mt revenge. was savagcly gnawins and decorating
his unrcsis,jng ann,
Rates frs, impulse was to scream loudly for
assistance; her ncNt-bruyc sirl-to rush wiedly
down The ragged path in hopes that even her fee
bic arm might be Of some avail in rcscuing her
cousin
But fortunately for Charles, there was more eff
Client, Though not willing aid At hand. The Doe
tor, who had been left far behind in chase now
came rushing up painting most IiurOus and -four
ishng round his head the long heavy barrel of his
lnSrr.
"Iiurruh. theresa death blow in aud Meg YETI
exclaimed lie hcnvlng up his uncoulh weapon 10
the full cXlen, of his muscuur arms aud bringing
1t down upon mo hard OF the bear with Il crash
that made the eyes start from their sockets and
sent her rolling over ON her back, with her siicn-
cd limbs Qui,rrng in the air.
Hack! Ei;'y that, yc deCvcl's buckle, nutct-
wa VIC iiO'''', "o Nv 'ulNt'u tl'N tbN, w HNht
The work Of death more certain, Mt the same time
inlmmg his breath with short energetic hcch,
"uEd wcel hca ye earned it for by my lrolh We lac
sanc near to kill US bonny lad as ever stepped
in shce-lcalher.
but there's life in him yet, and sma thanks to
you for it, continued The doctor, as he raised the
head olhjs Young companion, ana found that he
still hrcalhcd.
us he alive cried Katc, who had stood gazing on
this seen Of b.ood pale and moIlohlcss as II mar
bic statue.
'indred is he, Miss Kate bless your bonny face,
aud like to do well euough, offer ! hac 'cn
drap o blood fro him., replied the doctor, fum-
bling about in his numerous pockets TO ind his IAN
Get
Thank IIeavcn' exclaimed the poor girl, fer
yentIy, thank Heaven and claspius her hands
together, She sank down firling, By the side Of
her cousin. kOONDAi.