The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-02-28
TFrom the st. Louis Reveille.1 |

A "BAD FIX" In A BEAR FIGHT.-We
have friend residing in the Stale of Louisiana,
who is famously fond of bear hunting. This pen
chant has led him into many imminent perils, in
some of which; had itnot been for his brave heart
strong arm, and eagle eye, he must long since
have fallen a victim.
One OF his adventures, in an extensive cane
break, it is purpose here to relate; not much
because it was one of danger and hardihood, as
because il exhibited the spirit, GOODNESS and prompt
action so essential to the hunter of these u1nints
These care-breaks are matted together by an un
dtrgrowth Of vine aud briar, and are intersected
by running swamp streams, SO as to render them
almost impenetrable.
Our friend G., on hunt once near the close
of day, had penetrated some distance into cane
break bordering on the Washita, when his dogs
very valuable e'ones-' Jayed magnificent bear
Magnifc ent, we presume, because he was mon.
strous strong and full of fight
G., guided by the baying of the dogs, hasten
ed towards the scene of conflict, so far as it was
practicable to hasten, where you are obliged fire.
quently to crawl on your hands and knees, and
sometimes to cut your way with your hunting
knife. After considerable difficulty, however, he
obtained sight of the ferocious animal; the two
noble dogs, true to their training, keeping
him in check, though thay had been handled very
roughly G. fired as soon as he had obtained his
distance and aim, and although the ball took effect
it was not in a vital part The enraged animal
now sprang upon one of the dogs and gave the
ted at the sight, for he priced his faithful followers
almost as dearly as himself, threw down his gun,
drew his knife, and crept into the terrible fight for
reader, you can't rush into fight in acane-break!
Cautiously he approached the foe, until he was
near enough, when, upon his knees, and with his
arm stretched across the animal, he suddenly gave
him three deep wounds upon the of or farther
side; he knew well that this was his only chance,
for the stmct of the animal prompts it always to
turn aud saap at the quarter from which il is hurt,
"'rhe critters got more lives than naturally be-
longs to the bar, any how '-ejaculated G., as
he saw the monster still strong and vigorous, and
rending with his tusks, again and again, the body
of the dog, which he had firmly in his embrace
G. gave his unyeldlng enemy another fearful
wound upon the further side, as before,
when his knife, by sudden movement of the bear
slipped from his grasp md the brute upon him.
G. extended his eftarm for the clutch, but in a
moment the bears tusks were crunching his hand
and at the Instant he felt himself in close
hugt This was rather ''bad fix.'' G. turned
and looked upon his remaing dog, which had pre-
viously been of great assistance in attracting the
| bears. he said but word TO him-the Affections
ate creature gave one bound, and had the bear a.
gain by the throat This new attack gave G.
his freedom; in an instant he bad recovered his
weapon. and in another, It's keen point was buried
deep in the brute's heart
"Prehaps," says G., "You never did see bar
roll over like that one!'
Our sporting friend has never 1ecovered the
use Of his left hand but he is still righ,-ha1ded
man in hunt As he modestly expressed himself.
81 amt what used to was in bear fight, bui
when I'm pushed, I'm some yet, ] reckon.