Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-10-18


coat and vest, :crawlsd boldly through the mar
row aperture, reconnoitered the position, and
found the bear snugly ensconced at the further
ext remity of the den. Having made thorough
exploration, no returned, and gave the young
man directions to hurry home as fast as possible
and bring the gun and ammunition, hatchet,
and an axe, and be sure to bring the dogs, while
ne would remain sentinel at the mouth of the
cave, till his return.
In due time, the youth came back with all the
n'afer'al and show of arms and dogs The old
man loaded his gun with the most calm and
resolute determination, firmly grasped it in his
hand, and once more crept on all fours, into the
disma. cavern. 1t was 80 dark that be could
distinguish no part of the bear except his glar-
IN Eeye-salls, which flashed like glowing GOALS
ssSie sae sasEoundings gloom He ayelled his
piece, took as careful aim as the darkness would
allow, fred and hit his bearship exactly be-
tween his sparkling eyes. But his head proved
too hard for leaden bullet to penetrate, for it
glanced off, only tearing up the scalp in its
course. The sharp crack of the gun, with iss
reveberations was almost deafening and for an
instant nearly paralyzed the faculties of the old
hunter. But as the smoke gradually cleared
away, the grim outline Of the bear was indie
tinctly seen at the back part of the den, show
ing him to be in state of perfect desperation
from the agony of his wound. After few an
cry struggles and contortions, he came tumb-
ling down from the highest part Of the cavern,
whittier he had retreated, and in his course, ,tum-
blsd the redoubtable old hunter sans ceren,o-
ME, somewhat to the injury Of the neither man.
but he, nothing daunted, was ever ready for the
continuance of the conflict, and in the rough
and tumble struggles that ensued, gave the bear
severe cut across the nose with his hatchet,
and slight stab in the flank with his hunting
knife. Upon this rough and unexsmpled usage
the half-delirious and muddy enraged bear made
hasty retreat, out of the mouth Of the cave,
at which the valorous youth had bcen stationed
as sentinel of observation, and charged. in case
the bear came out, to give him battle with the
axe. But he, thinking discretion the better
part of valor, had prudently retired to respect
full distance and place of safety, anxiousy
watching the progress of events, and leaving the
bear alone in his glory. The bear, from fright
or delirium, rolled tumultously down the preci
pice below. The dogs, in general cry of de.
fance, were set on in full pursuit. the old man
knife and Ratchet in hand, rapidly pursuing
gallantly brought up the rear. The youth, evel
in the most breathless anxiety, crept most val
liantly behind and by word and gesture made W
for lack of personal participation, in the mur
derous onslaught, leaving the tug of war for hi
gfay-hsired senior and his canine auxiIiarer
He acted as a corps du rsserue, although he KEEP
near enough to see all the running fight, and tt
be in at the death. The speed of the bear wa
greatly impeded by the proximity of the dogs Il
his launches but woe betide the cur that CAM
within reach of his dexter paw, or became tn,
subject of his relentless hug, or his fond EN-
brace. He was kept in check by the unremit
ting attacks upon his rear. but he still mad
such rapid strides in his retreat as called fortl
the most active exertions of the old man to keel
himself within assaultng distance, ever AM
anon giving out an exclamation Of encourage
ment to the dogs to cheer them onward, and +
the youth not to falter.
After long and doubtful chase along tn
rocky shore, the bear swan across the stream a
. spot Of great depth and stiffness. In thi
emergency the dogs were at fault, forhone q
them dared to swim after him, or attempt I
continuance of their attacks in an element whel
Bruin was perfectly at home, and when the
were positively aware that the issue could nc
long be doubtful, in contest prol onged at sue
dreadful odds. The hunter, too, was as muc
perplexed as the dogs, but not to be foiled, an
always fruitful in expedients, he at once calle
off the yelping pack, ran quickly down I'll
stream some sixty rods, crossed over on SON
aoodwood, and agsin proceeded to the astac
with renewed vigor and resolution. The bea1
instead of making the most Of his time in raj
id retreat, as if disdaining to take advantae
of the security of bis situation, had majestica
ly seated himself upon little eminence, fro
which he could distinctly view the movemen
Of his foes, and there, in an attitude {
the most dignifed and heroic composure-wit
an air of bold defiance and the most stoical il
difference, awaited the approach of his enemi
in posture for battle and defense, quietly la]
ping his wounds as he surveyed the approach
ing danger. Upon the approach of the dog
after some aggressive attempts on their rart,ar
the rapid advance of the old man. the BET
made an attempt to climb the bank, but i
steepness and the harrassing attacks of the doI
rendered it extremely difficult for him to NAL
anything like successful progress. In view
T the excessive boldness manifested by his bearsh
in his own defense, his rare dexterity in war
ing of the assaults of the dogs, and his aptitu'
and self possession in all extremities in the ru
ming fight, several of the dogs had lost much
the ardor and courage which they had so signs
!, ly exhibited in the commencement of the 90
/ hict, and some had absolutely been put hors
combat So that now, in the moment of grea
! est need, and in the great turning crisis of t
fray, not solitary one could be nrged or fore
up the steep aeclivity. Nothing daunted, al
not to be foiled, the old man alone in hot hast
rushed on, and after many desperate ef9l
> succeeded in seizing the retreating bear by /
) long, shaggy hair of his thighs, and made hi
: release his hold from the rocks above, up
, which the two rolled down the ragged precipi
, in rather tumultuous order. At this@critit
8 juncture the dogs rushed forward to the resc
. of their master. The latter now became ha
to hand affair between the old man and the be'
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