The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-10-30

the cl,osm was surmounted by nat
ural bridgc-the piles of granite on
each side being joined by one i'm
inense ilat rock, almost seeming to
verify the fable OF the Titians for
it appeared impossible that these
enormous blocks of stone could have
ever been raised to such an elcva~
tion By human agency Sinister le-
ecnds were attached to the place;
and the mountainecrS recounted with
terror that no hunter, with the cx-
ception of the parem, had ever been
posted at the bridge Of sIaure with
out becoming the prey OF the bears
or the prccipice. Bat the pareUr
was too good a Christian TO partakc
of this ridiculous prejudice he at
tributed the fatality to its real cause
the dizziness arising from the sight
of the be,r ana the precipice COM
bined, by destroying the hunters
presence of mind, made his arm un-
steady, and his death the inevitable
consequence. lie could not, how
ever, altogether diyest himself Of
fears for his young master, who o.
stinatcly pcrseverel in his intention
of occupying the bridge with his an
tagoniSt.
After placing the baron's compan-
ions at posts whish he considered
the most advantageous, the rareur
rcjoined his men, and disposing them
so as to encompass the valley facing
the cascade, commanded the utmost
silence TO be preserved until they
should hear the first bark of his dog.
AT that signal the mastiifs were TO be
unleashed, th3 instruments sounded,
and all to move forward, contract
ing the circle as they approached
the cascade. These arrangements
being made, the parcur and his dog,
followed By the maudrin alone, dis
appeared in the depths Of the wood.
For some minutes the silence had
remained unbrolcn, when suddenly
furious barking commenced, &C
companied by a low growing. Each
prepared his arms; the instruments
sounded; and the mastiiis being let
loose, precipitatcd themselves pell-
nell in the direction Of the struggle.
Their furious barking was soon con-
founded with the cries of the hunt
ers and the din of the instruments:
mingled with the formidable growl-
ing Of the bears, making altogether
hideous concert, which, rolling the
sides Of the valley, was repeated by
the distant echoes. At this moment
the young baron regarded his COM
panion, whose conntenancc, though
pale, remained calm and scornful.
"Attention, sir" said lie in low
voice. "The bears arc not far from
us. let your aim be true, or else"
"Kecp Your counsel for yourself,
sir!"
"Attention!" repeated Villctrc-
ton, without seeming to notice the
surly response-"he approaches ~
Those who were placed in front OF
the cascade, seeing the animals di-
recting their course to the bridge,
cried out from all parts, /" look out,
look out, ViIIetreton " But the
breaking of branches, followed by
the rolling Of looscned stones down
the precipicc, had already given
warning Of the near approach of the
animals. Malatour became deadly
pale; he, however, held his carbine
firmly, in the attitude of a rcsolutc
hunter.
A bear at length arFealed, with
foamins mouth and glazing eyes, at
times turning Is If lie would strug-
gle with BIS puEsners; bat when he
sag TIE III Ills only way Of es-
care, 31 -seL --iryed fearful
er1Els az- .-F=!f On bis
Aer - WAS 81: ~ On oar two
3fElarr, - i;ucl. in on
tas 81. IS Ls I'm dead at
1iaSr sse
Lslll..r -.sirsly gT7spcd lis
gVa--4s 4 become completely
pspeslesA S = new cries loud,
81 sn2 Esess FEass.ag were heard.
@E-G' 1ss. lie IS on you," cried
tle VzEezr, pao appeared unexpec-
teddy, pale and sgiiatcd, his gun to
bis shoulder, but afraid to fire, lest
h should lit his master.
The latter, perceiying his agita-
ton, turned round it was indeed
time. On the other side ofthe bridge
bear, much larger than the first
was in the act of making the Gna
rush. Springing backward, he seiz.
cd the carabine Of his petrifed com.
panion, and lodged its contents il
the animals breast ere he coul,
reach them. He rolled in the dealt
struggle to where they stood. Al
this was the work of an instant. TIL,
knees of the hardy old pareur shool
with emotion at the escape of hi
young master; as for Malatour, hi
livid paleness and the convulsiv