Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-12-21


natural bridge-the piles of gah@ ssch
side being joined by one immense flat rops, a1s
most seeming to verify the fable of the Iitans !;
for it appeared impossible that these enormous
blocks of stone could favo ever been raised to
such an elevation by human agency
Sinister legends were attached to the place,
and the mountaineers rocounted with terror that
no hunter, with the exception of the pareur,
had ever been posted at tho bridge Of Maure,
without either becoming either the prey Of the
bears or the prccipiee. But the pareur was too
good a Christian to partake of this prejudice; !;
he attributed the fatality to the real cause--tho
dizziness arising from the sight of the bears and
the precipice combined, by destroying the hum
ter's presence of mind, made his aim unsteady,
and his death the inevitable consequence. lie
could not, however diyest himself of fears for
his younger master, who obstinately persevered
in his intention of occupying the bridge with
After pikahe baron's eompanies, at posss ss
which he evonsidcred the most advantageous, the
pareur rejoined 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 mastifs were to be nnleashed
the instruments sounded and all to move slowly
forward, contracting the circle as they approach
! oJ tba soodn Thaaa , ,rr,p onpt ta hpInu made
the pareur and his dog, followed by the man
drn alone, disappeared in the depths of the
wood
For some minutes the silence had remained
unbroken, when suddediy u furious barking coia-
menced, accompanied by low growing Each
prepared his arms, the Instruments sounded and
the mastifs being let loose, precipitated them
selves pell-mell in the direction of the struggle.
Their furious barking was soon conlounded with
the cries of the hunters, and the din of the in
struments, mingled with the formidable growl-
Ing Of the bears, making altogether hideous
concert, which, rolling along the sides of the
valley, was repeated by the distant echoes At
this moment the yonng baron regarded his com
panion, whose countenance, though pale, re-
mained calm and scornful.
Attention, sir,' said he ina iow,oice. The
bears are not far from US, let yo1i "a ho true,
or else - {.
Keep your consels for yourself, sir
attention repeated Yilctreton, without
seeming to notice the surly RESPONSE he ap-
prolches.'
Those who were placed in front Of the cas-
cllc, seeing the animals directing their course
towards the Bridge, cried from all parts, Look
oat, look out, Vilitroton Bat the breaking
of branches, followed by loosoned stones down
the precipice, had already given warning Of the
animal . near approach. Malatopr Nscamo
deadly pale; he, however, held his carbinT rni-
ly, in the attitude of resolute hunter
bear at length appeared, with fo4ming
moath and garing eyes, at timea turnin,y as if
he would 2a,n struggle IN his Pessaasy 49,
whon he saw the bridge, his only way Qf 'scape,
occupied, he uttered fearful growl, and rails
ing himself on his hind legs, was rushing on
oar tw, hun ters, when ball struck him in the
forehead and he fell dead at their feet.
Maatour conyulsvely grasped his gGp-hc
had become completely rowerloss Suddenly
new cries, louder and more pressing were
heard.
Fire fire. he is now on you cried The
parcur, who appeared unexpectedly, pale and
agitated, his gun to his shoulder, but AFRAID to
FIRE, lest he should hit his master.
The latter, perceiving his agitation, tarned
round it was indeed time. On tls.at7rr side
, of the bridge bear, much larger Ffna first
, was in the act of making the final 56sh Spring
ing backward, be seized the carbne Of -, pet
:; ri6cd companion, and lodged its content in the
animals breast, ere he could reach then. lie
rolled, in the death struggle to where the stood
All this was the work Of a moment. Tie knees
8 of the hardy old parcur shook with elnption al
the escape of lis young master as for Nalatou1
+ his livid paleness, and the convulsiye shudder.
ing of his limbs, testified the state of his mind
Take your arms, said the baron, quickly re.
, placing in his hands his carbine; here arc onl
comardes-they must not sec you unarmed
and, pareur, not word of all this
Look said he to his companions as they
gathered around, pointing to the nonstrou,
t beasts one to each. Now, Monsieur, de Nal
e atour, wait your orders AMI Am ready to give
I, the satisfaction you require
TIE latter made no reply, but reached ou
= his hand which Villetreton cordially shook.
v That evening banquet was given to celebrate
a tho double victory. Towards the end of the re
Il past toast to "the vanquisAers'' was proposed
# and Immediately accepted.
Monsieur d d'Argentre, glass in hand, rose tt
" pl3dgoit, when Malatour, also riding, held hi
,r arm, exclaiming; To the sole vanquisher q
G the day Ito our noble host 1t was he alon
Is who killed the two bears and if through hi
generosity, have allowed the illusion to last q
l. long, it was simply for this reason: The atfron
III which gave him was public one, the repa
ID ration ouga. to bo public likewise, now d,
,c clare that Monsieur Villeteton is the brave,
IN of the brave, and that sbsll maintain it tow
" ards all and against ALL
r This time, at least, shall not take up you
ID gauntlet, said Monsieus Argentine.
of There a brave young man cried the ps
r reur, whom his master had admitted to the t,
al BILE, and who endeayored TO conceal a furtix
be tear. Nothing could better prove to ME, sil
that, with little experience, you will be q
n calm in the presence of bears as you arc, | al
II sure in the face of an enemy
ST
H. From whittiel's Literary Reereatons
"a THE GREAT IsPWICH FIGHr.