Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-03-16
an EXCITING PANTHER HUNT.
THE MOUNTAINS OF VIRGINIA.

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the State Of Virginia where She counties Of
Shenandoah, Hardy and Pcndleton join, is as
wild as any ether part Of the territory Of the
United States, and Astounding in most kinds Of
game. The waters Of Cedar Greek, a wild
and romantic stream wash the base OF the
tall ridges which rear their frowning SUBMITS
Of rock far overhead altogether presenting as
primitive an appearance as can well be imag
ined The persons alluded to in the annexed
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 Greek, is about sixty years Of age. bnt
shows no mark that time has weakened his
abilities to Chamber over the hills or surmount
the crags of Cedar Creek. Tall and erect in
his carriage with the eye of an eagle, an in
domitable win and great energy Of character,
be would have been a formidable foeman to
the Indian, had his lot been cast upon the
frontier. He. however, dispenses the favors
of genuine Virginia hospitality to those who
may be thrown in bis way, and friend of
gun or rod is always sure to find hearty
welcome
A short time since the inmates Of a dwell
ling not far from Cedar Greek, at night, were
startled by the attempt Of large animal to
get into the house A sick lady, infant 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 hearing
something at the window, and turning towards
tbo f,,n irh{ 81 81 !
head of an animal at pane Of glass, which
was almost instantly broken and large round
head thrust through the opening-the sash
bent and seemed as if it would give way
Her screams aroused the house and brought
her brother into the ROOM when the animal
with difficulty withdrew bis head. An effort
was made to pursue it, but the only dog on
the premises refused to leave the house, lis
instinct, probably, telling him there was dan
ger.
i The next morning the circumstances be-
came known to the neigbbors ard as the
ground was covered with snow so that the
s beast might be easily tracked, it was deter
mined to hunt him up Accordingly Mr.
Rudolph and two of his nephews started on
the trail and followed the track up the steps
to Paddy Mountain, the snow being on an
average twenty inches deep. Ali that day
and the following day, until near night, were
consumed in the hunt, when the track ended
at den. Having succeeded thus far they
concluded to 60 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 retraced their steps. and after long
and laborious walk, arrived at the den, only
, to find to their great modification 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 running over them. In a
short time they came across the carcass of a
deer which had recently been killed and near
ly devoured; from this they judged they
were close upon him The route was now
on the very summit of Paddy Mountain along
which they padded through the deep snow
until near the setting of the sun when they
/, the satisfaction to find that the game had
again taken to den.
, Darkness in en- hour would overshadov
them, SO that there was little time to spare
for consultations Surprising the animal te
be bear, they cautiously made reconnoiter
each with his rifle to his shoulder, ready to
shoot him if he should come out, which the
bear invariably does, if he hears noise out
side of bis den. But as there was no APP
pearance of bis coming out, they drew closer
, and examined the entrance, which was hole
nearly perpendicular, about six feet deep,
with masses of shelving rock around it,
/ While they were doing this. one of the dogs
ran upon the fiat rock which crowned the
den and placing his nose to small rent
gave unmistakeable evidence by erect tail and
a low growl that the animal was within. lie
instantly darted round and entered the hole,
followed by the others, before it could be
prevented.
In moment a terrible growl vas 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 of pain and
rage Of the latter, came from the dem The
question was now what was to be done p
The dogs must be got out or all would be
killed, as those which might be wounded could
not retreat on account Of those pressing be-
bind. The old hunter then told the Young
est OF his nephews that be must try and get
into the hole and pull the dogs out, while his
brother must prevent them from re- entering,
and he would stand ready to pull him out at
the first notice of danger All was safely
and successfully accomplished dogs were
but little hurt, except the noble fellow which
first entered be had received mortal hurt
the animal had caught him by the shoul-
der, his teeth meeting across bis back.
If the prey was to be secured, something
had now to be done quickly, as night was
fast approaching, the vallies already being
shaded. Rudolph again told the young man
that he must 60 into the hole, while be and
his brother would stand ready to pull him
out, and see what the animal was. This was
cheeriully agreed to, ard he entered; after a
careful survey he said he could not see any
thing. lock well to the right, said Adam,
'and6under the rock where the dog first win
ded7 IN q few moments be answered, '.My
Ieiod. \ See pair of eyes as big as dollar
and as bright as coal of fire. 1T is not a
1 bear then said Adam for "a ne hear' q head