Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-02-16
MISCELLANEOUS.
An Exciting Hunt.
PUTNAM oUTDoNE.-THE MOUNTAINS o
ytpCrNIA

the counties Of Shenandoah. Hardy and
Pendleton Join. is as Wild as any other part
Of the territory of the United States, and
abounding in most kinds Of game. The
waters Of Cedar Greek. a wild aud roman
tic stream, wash the base Of the tall ridges
which rear their irowning SUBMITS of rock
far overhead, altogether presenting as
primitive az appearance as can well be
imagined. The persons alluded to inthe an
nexed sketch are residents of Shenandoah
county, on the road from Capon Springs
to Strasburg. Mr.. Adam Rudolph. who
was the principal actor in the incidents
related below, lives on Cedar Creek.
about sixty years of age, but shows no
mark that time has weakened lis abilities
TO Chamber over the hills or surmount the
crags Of Cedar Greek. Tall and erect in
! his carriage. with the eye of an eagle, an
indomitable will and great energy of
character, he would have made a lorm-
dabe foeman to the Indian had his lot
| been cast on The frontier. He, however,
dispenses the iavors Of genuine Virginia
hospitality to those who may be thrown in
his way, and friend Of gun or rod is
always sure 10 find hearty welcome. .
A short time since the inmates Of
dwelling, not far from Cedar Greek, at
night, were startled by the attempts Of
large animal to get into the house. A
sick lady, infaut and nurse, occupied
room on the first floor. A brother and
sister occupied apartments above and the
husband was absent. From the lateness
of the hour the entire household was
asleep. The lady was awakened by hear
ing something at the window, and turning
towards it, in the full light Of the moon
she saw the head Of an animal at pane Of
glass, which was almost instantly broken
and large round head thrust through the
opeung-the sash bent and seemed as if il
would give way. Her screams aroused
the house and brought her brother into the
room. When the animal with difficulty
Withdrew his head. An effort was made
to pursue ii, but the only dog on the pre-
misses refused TO leave the house, his in
stinct, probably, telling him there was
danger.
The next morning the circumstances
became known 10 the ncighbors, and as
=
that tie beast might be easily tracked, it
was determined to hunt him up. Accord
iugly Mr.. Rudolph and two of his ne
/ phcws started On the trail, and followed
the track up the steps to Paddy Mountain,
the snow being on an average twenty
inches deep. All that day and the follow
ing day, until near night, were consumed
in the hunt, when the track ended at den
Having succeeded thus far they concluded
to 90 home and make the effort to get him
out next morning.
On the following morning, some two
hours before day, accompanied by their
trusty dogs, they rctractcd their steps, and
after long and laborious walk, arrived
at the den, only to find 10 their great NOR
tiication that the animal had left his retreat
and gone farther. They, however, again
followed the track, keeping the dogs back
so as not to destroy the foot prints by run
ning over them. il a short time they
came across the carcas CT a deer which
had been recently killed and nearly de-
vourcd from this they judged they We're
close upon him. The route now was on
the very summit Of Paddy Mountain,
along which they plodded through the
deep snow, until near the setting of the
sun, vi hen they had the satisfaction 10 find
that the game had again taken to den.
| Darkness in an hour would overshadow
them, so that there was but little time to
spare for consultations. Supposing the
animal to be bear, they cautiously made
a reconnoiler, each with his rifle to his
shoulder, ready to shoot him if he could
come ont, " hich the bear invariably does
if he heats a noise outside Of his den But
as there was no appearance Of his coming
out, they drew closer and examined the
entrance, which was hole nearly pcrpcn-
dicular, about six feet deep, with masses Of
shelving rock around IT, While they
We're doing this, one ofthe dogs IAN upon
The fiat rock which crowned the den and
placing bis nose 70 a small rent, gave IN
mistakcable es idence by erect tail and a
low growl that the animal was within He
Instantly dartcd round and entered the
hole, followed by tie others, before it
could be prevented
In moment terrific growl was heard,
followed by blow Of the animals paw
on the rock as he struck at the dogs
Soon the mingled growls Of the animal
and the furious barking Of the dogs, With
cries ofpain and rage Of the latter, came
from the den. The question was now.
what was 70 be done! The dogs must be
got ont or all would be killed, as those
which might be wounded could not re.
treat on account Of those pressing behind.
| The old hunter then told the youngest Of
his nephews that he must try and get into
the hole and pull the dogs out, While his
brother must prevent them from re-entrr-
ing. and he would stand ready to pull him
out at the FIRST notice Of danger An was
safely and successfully accomplshed-the
dogs were but little hurt. except the noble
fellow which first entered; he had received
a mortal hurt-the animal had caught him
by the shoulder, his teeth meeting across
his back.
If the prey was to be secured, some
thing had now to be done quickly, as night
was fast approaching, the vallits already
being shaded. Rudolph again told the
young man that he INST 90 into the hole,
while lie and his brother would stand
ready 10 pull him out, and see whatth
animal was. This was cheerfully agreed
to, and he entered, atter careful survey
lie said he could not see any thing. Look
well to the right" said Adam. "and under
the rock where the dog first winded." In
few moments he answered. "My God, |
see pair Of eyes as big as dollar and as
, bright as a coal of fire" at is not bear,
then, said Adam, 'for as bears head is
shaped like a pig, his eyes are small and
: close together" The nephew was drawn
out. and they all stood with rifles ready.
Rudolph then went TO the rent in the
rock, and cleared away all the leaves and