Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-03-04

lhe size OF the paw Indicate this; and he
Is fat one, because his hind feet do not
step in the impressions made By the fore
ones, as is always the case with the lean
bear"
Such are the signs and arguments that
present themselves to the hunter; and mys-
ferrous as they seem, when not understood,
when explained they strike the ina gina
ton at once as being founded on the I'M
errlng simplicity and the certainty of ma
ture. 1t may be asked, how is it that the
grizzy bear is so formidable to numbers
when met in the forest, and when ia the
cave can be assaiied success fully by SIM
gle man? In answer to this, we must re-
collect that the bear is only attacked in his
cave when he is in total darkness, and
suffering from surprise and the torpiditv
OF the season. These three things are in
this method OF hunting taken advantage
OF; and but for these advantages, no quick
ness of eve, no steadiness of nerve or fo-
rest experience, would protect for an IN
slant the intruder to the cave Of the griz-
Fly bear.
The hunter having satisfied himself a
bout the cave, prepares candle, which he
makes out OF the wax taken from the comb
OF wild bees, sOftened by the grease of
the bear. This candle has large wick,
and emits brilliant fame. Nothing else
is needed but the rife. The knife and
the belt are useless; for if struggle
should ensue that would make it avaiIa-
Bile, the foe is too powerful to mind its
thrusls before the hand using it would be
dead. Bearing the candle before him,
with the rifle in a convenient position, the
hunter fearlessly enters the cave. He is
soon surrounded by darkness, and is total
ly unconscious where his enemy will re-
veal himself. Having fixed the candle in
the ground, in firm position, with an APP
paratus provided, he lights it, and its bril-
liant flame soon penetrates into the re-
cesses OF the cavern-its size of course
rendering the illumination more or less
complete. The hunter now places himself
on his belly, having the candle between
the back of the cave where the bear is,
and himself; in this position, with he muz-
zle OF the rifle protruding out ia front Of
him, he patiently waits for his victim. A
short time only elapses before Buin is
aroused by the light. The noise made by
his starting from sleep, attracts the hunter,
and he soon distinguishes the black mass,
moving, stretching, and yawning like a
person awaked from deep sleep. The
hunter moves not, but prepares his rife;
the bear, finally reused, turnes his head
toward the candle, and, with slow and
waddllng steps, approaches it.
Now Is the time thSt tries the nerves of
the hunter. Too late to retreat, his life
hangs upon the certain aim and the good.
ness of his powder. The slightest varia-
alton IN the bullet, or flashing pan, and
he is doomed man. So tenacious of
life is the common black bear, that it is
frequently wounded in It's most vital parts,
and will sIlll escape, or give terrible bat
tie. But the grizzly bear seems to pos.
sess an infinitely greater tenacity of life
His skin, covered by matted hair, and the
huge bones of his body, protect the heart.
as If encasec in wall; while the brain is
buried IN skull, compared to which, ada
mant is not harder. A bullet, striking the
bears forehead, would fiatlen, if it struck
sqnarely on the lid bone, as it fired a.
/ gainst rock; ana dangerous indeed would
it be, to take the chance of reaching the
animals heart. With these fearful odds
against the hunter, The bear approaches
! the candle, growing every moment more
4 sensible of some uncommon intrusion
he reaches the blaze, and either raises
his paw TO strike it, or lifts his nose to
scent it, either of which will cxtinguish it,
and leave the hunter and the bear in total
darkness. This dreadful moment is taken
advantage of. The loud report OF the
rifle fills the cave with stunning noise,
and as the light disappears, the ball, If
successfully fired, penetrates the eve oil
the huge anmaI-the only place where II
would find passage TO the brain and
this not only gives the wound, but instant.
| ly paralyzes, os that no temporary resist.
ance may be made.
On such chances the American hunter
periIs his life, and often thoughtessly
courts the danger. ThorPe's "Myteriet
| Of the BdckroodS."
Il
ANECDoTE OF Mr.. BENToN.-It wa,
some time since reported in Washington
that Mr.. Benton, as chairman of the mill
tary committee, intended to bring IN bill
for raising an army Of 100000 men,
Sucn report was considered so alarming
that Wing Senator was requested to as
certain OF Mr.. Benton in person wha
was the fact. Mr.. Benton said the state
ment was unfounded. Oughty you moi ther
said the honorable enquirer, TO coniradic
the report? By no means, said Mr.. B. fo
i'll dolhe whole body ofthem will instant