Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-08-04

two dogs and wild in desperate conflict. |
recognized the scream of the cat, which is more
like the human than any other animal. enjoy
ed the fight exceedingly, which ended in favor Of
the dogs. The cat was PROSTATE before them,
and they sat very near each other, and watching
any signs of returning life, to seize him again,
seeming to know his deceiptful and nine-life
character but he was dead. In the next moment
the dogs were struck dead by an alligator with
one sweep of his tail. | had not seen him be-
fore, as he lay concealed in the tbicket, close to
the combatants. He whrled around, and facing
his victims, he seemed to enjoy the prospects of
the meal before him; but he was not to realize
it, was but ten yards distant, and Ievelling my
rife, sent bullet through his heart. There
was log near by me, and sat down to review
the scene OF death that had transpired in so
short time around ne and this version of the
chidren's story Of Z" bread and butter" came un-
hidden to mind: Where's the cat? The dogs
killed HIM Where The dogsr The alligator
killed them Where's the alligator2 The Doc
tor killed him. Where's the Doctor? Ah that's
sufficient" | thought, for the present; and was
rising from the log to return, when | heard a
rustling noise behind me, and to my horror, |
saw monstrous she bear, with two cubs, ap-
preaching me, and directly between me and the
boat She stopped, and growing, seemed to
say, " Now your times come Your life was
saved by bear, and it will be taken by bear
You will understand my feelings, gentlemen
My rife was empty there was no time to reload,
and was otherwise unarmed and alone, for the
negro, as soon as left the boat had turned his
face 10 the sun and gone to sleep. haooed to
him, but in vain. .My Il" fortune" like my Cal
lowhll companions, was evidently about to be
fulfilled. felt too young to die. had every
wish to live, and sbudered at the inglorious and
miserable manner of my DEATH
You all know the nature of these animals !;
they will run from man, Tor rather walk away
from him.) unless wounded or in defence of their
young. and in my case, the bear 10 doubt looked
at the field Of the slain, and charged me with
the whole bill of mortality" and with the IN
tcntion of adding her cubs. I would have been
too happy to have undeceved her. But on she
came, now backing her short ears, and show
ng her terrible teeth, rearing up, first 70 the
right and then to the left, but never taking her
fiery eyes off mine, until almost within reach of
me, when she threw open her arms. | had my
rifle ready with both hands round the small of
the breach, (lhe barrel end being the heaviest)
and as she made the next step let her have it
with all my strength, directly in her steeple. She
recoled little, but before had time to repeat
the blow, was pinoned in the dreaded hug.
She seemed to know me, and adjusting her hold
SO as more effectually to secure my hands, fear
ing parhasis might come the science over her
by dividing an artery. / felt the powerful but
gradual squeeze, and knew too we'll that my
lungs, once empted of breath, would never be
filed again looked for the last time, as
thought, upon the blue sky, and the green woods
above and around me thought of the pleasant
: world was about 10 leave, and the uncertain
one beyond with no very comforting assurance,
Pm sorty to say,) and had fairly given up, when
crack went rifle within FIVE PAGES of Us.
felt the bear quiver throughout her whole frame
her blazing eyes Ackered tor a second, then
we're fixed she settled on her hsunches, and
rolled over on her back.
was saved by an accurate shot from Col
/ Dick, who, with trusty servant, had gone ou'
that morning in chase Of the bear, which had
. been seen by his negroes in the field. His dogs
were put Upon The trace, bit left it for the rai
, well as myself