The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-10-23
Miscellaneous.
An A dive ntu re.

"Ilow dlreiul are the effects of revenge"
It was beautiful autumnal day as ever ush
cred in the Indian SUMNER that made an excursion
after game among group OF mountains, rather on
link in the great chain in the Allegheny range which
in north eastern direction in tina, part of Penn
sylvania which bounds the New York line
had kept the summit Of the mountains FOR several
miles, without success for breeze had arisen shortly
ufler sunrise which ratified through the trees and
made un(avorable for hunting high ground; and
indeed the only wild animal saw, was a bear, that
was feeding another ridge deep valley,
entirely out of reach Of my rifle shot i therefore de
seconded the mountain in oblique direction, to-
wards the salt springs, which soon reached and az
ter finding others had preceded the here, | left the
spot for another mountain which intended to pass
the remainder ofthe day, gradually working my way
home. This mountain covered with chestnut
trees, and here it was that caught glimpse Of the
bear from the other RIDGE and found that he had dis
appeared bot short time previous TO my arrival
this mountain; followed his track for three miles for
chestnuts lay in abundance the ground, aud bears
like hogs, the leaves in search Of food beneath
and it no doubt had fingered about here eating its
food until my approach gave warning Of its dan
ger; this could discover, the leaves having been
wet by the melted frost the top, path could be
traced where the bear in running had turned the dried
part Of the leaves uPpermost quickened NY pace
along the mountain side and around the turn of the
mountain, with the hope of surprising the bear, and
after n rapid chase for the distance abovu mentioned
all proved fruitess, and reuqushed further pursuit
Warm with this exercise, and somewhat latigued, |
d escended the mountain side, and took my seat be-
side a stream ofwa,er which gently washed the base
OF the mountain, and emplied itself in the head waters
Of the Shsquehannah.
had remained sitting fallen tree, whose
branches extended considerably into the water for
perhaps an hour and n half, when heard n rustling
among the leaves on the mountain Immediately above
my head which at first distant thM IL thought
il merely an eddy of wind, whrlng the leaves from
the ground hut increased rapidly, and approach
ed S the spot where sat, that instnc,vely
seized my rife, resNlx in moment to NEE, any c.
Emergency which nigh Npder.
That part of4he moudsi where was seated was
covered with laurel and bSDkss, and owing to the
density of this shrubbery couA hpot discover OBJ
ject more than ten yards from me This will after.
wards appear, afforded protection; at any rate ii
conduced my The noise among the
leayes now became tremendous, and the object ap.
preached near that distinctly heard unnatura,
gruntng noise, las il from animal in great distress
At length, sudden plunge into the water, not more
than twenty yards from me, uncovered to my Wow a
full. grown black hear intent upon nothing but its
endeavors press through the water and reach the
opposite shore. The water average not
more than feet deep, which not sufficient for
the animal 10 swim, and too deep to run through;con-
sequenliy the eagerness with which the bear pressed
through the water created such spashing noise,
fairly echoed through the hills Without scarcely
thought, brought my rife to my shoulder with the
intention of shooting, but before could sight
crectIy, the bear rushed behind rock which shield
ed it from my view; this gave a momentary sea-
son for reflection, and ahoug could have killed
the bear SO soon il had passed the rock, / deter
mined await the result Of such extraordinary con-
duct in this animal; for was wonder-siruck at &C
tons which not only strange but even ludlcrous,
there not appearing then any cause Tor them. The
! ystery however, was soon unravellcd .
The stream of water not more than ten rods IN
width, and before the bear twohrds across 1t,
heard another rustlng, the mountain side, among
the leaves, if by jumps S. second plunge into the
water convinced me that the bear had good cause for
sprccipa,ionfor here pressing hard his heels was
formidable antagonist in enormous panther, which
pursued the bear with such determined inveteracy,
and appalling growls, as made me shudder, as with
chill.
The panther plunged into the water not more szesp
eighteen or twenty yards from me, and had is0BseB