Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1855-08-01

lame. This heavy step makes his lungs trem'
ble, thus making his howl sound almost like q
roaring bark. When he is hungry, he licks
himself angrily with his tongue, and throws
his head back to scent his prey from atar.-
This also gives varied expression to the tote
produced. VIXEN the eldest A0lF begins the
next in age gradually collect around him, thus
strengthening the chorus as it continues. The
bowling lasts till a sufficient number are as
scrnbled to begiR the chase, when Nbey
60 to work with consideration for which
one would hot have given them cred
it. One division keeps the background, in 81
lsrCP, while the rest march in broad line
through the WUodj rouse the game,
drive the frightened animals with great swift
ness before them to the ambush where their
companions lurk. In this way they often sue
cecd in catching two or three hares on a
track. But this is no: their only mode of OBJ
tanning prey. The wolf will surprise the game
with ali the cunning ceverness Of a cat and
scarcely ever loses the victim lie has tracked,
if Ills own scent does not betray him.
Our hunting eXiles, however, had no time
for these observations on natural history. A
| black mass soon moved onward towards one
Of the lures Stroganow aimed the title sound
cd, and with loud yell, a large Wolf fell dy-
ING on the ground. a wild howl followed
from the rest of the savage pack, which wus soon
stifled !; but horrible sight scarcely had the
dead ceased to move than the whole herd Of
| his companions rushed forth from all sids, fell
upon the bats and on their fallen comrade
flr whose flesh the hungry beasts Fought,
-Four shots we're poured into this mass, ard
four wolves rolled on the ground while the
! rest with frighttuI bowling, vanished into the
woods with Il sFoed that was marvellous.
| The fortunate hunters are +c-1oadcd quickly
| to greet any new corners with a fresh volley.
| l5ut thcv were mistaken, the wolves more ter
r;licd b. the fire than by the death of compan-
! icus, came back nc more An hour passed
long time to people inconveniently seated
| siti,onc the branches Of trees. In vain, how
ever, the cxilcs waited, no sound was heard.
| SlrogauOw, therefore, resolved to descend and
| call his companions, when suddenly he heard
! the snow rustic in the bushwood behind his
/ tree and distinguished the heavy tread of an
animal. Hastily looking around, he saw
massy black object, winding with difficulty
! through the underwood. lie took it for
! wolf, prepared his rifle, and when he thought
| himself sure Of lis aim fired. In his haste lie
missed or slightly wounded the ANIMAL
| What lie supposed to Le wolf, proved to Le
| q hugo bear, which growing fri5htfUly imme-
| di;teIy reared himself against a tree, and with
! the agility of his race, began to ascon1. Stro-
| ganow INSTANTLY called for help. In his first
alarm he had dropped lis lance and axe, to-
| gethcr, rIth his now useless rifle, and only his
| knit. i@as left for his defence. But the young
apI c1rsgeous officer did not lose resolution
| aii!J hope. He took lis knife between his
teeth, climbed up higher, and slung himself
forward on a stronG b5W, to protect hi;hsclf
| against tie bear till he should get help from
his friends. Unfortunately, he did not con
slider that ho was thus placing himself out OF
sight Of his companions and the thick under
branches would hide him from them, while in
The .Im kness they would be unable to take aim,
lest they should hit him instead Of the bear.
. However, there was no time for reflection.
| If Stroganow had climbed up quickly, the
bear was quite match for him in that feat of
gymnastics. stroganow had .io sooner SEATED
himself on the selected branch, than tiiU bears
shaggy head appeared, his small eyes glowing
ike Two carbunklcs in the dark. On seeing
Stro&anow near him, he gave q Violent swing,
reached the bough and marched boldly to-
wards him. .,, =.
. what is the matter? was now asked from
Below. 1t was Romanow's voice. B.,
~ bear ! Oh help He is almost here
replied the distressed man iu deep anguish.
.'sWhcre! we cannot see him. said Gallo
wins voice, its trembling betraying the aglta-
ton Of his friend Here; on the branch
A Shot sounded !-another still another
-Lsplinters Of wood flew about like glass from
tIIe b5jIrhs, but the bear was not the least In
it4ed, and in vain those below expected hap
py token from above. :.
iSoon fearful scene was displayed. Ihc
bear advanced cautiously Onwards to StroSa-
ndw, who had no choice but to withdraw
backwards, the knife in his hand, his eyes
flied on his formidable opponent, sliding
along the bough to its thinner extremity as
far as possible, there to await the animal
Tie bear held on by his fore paws, and had
tho great advantage of being on the
thicker and less pliable cnd while Stroganows
situation was most critical. The bear was
within four feet of him, and he had enough to DO
to hold on to tbs branch, which was scarce SIN
inches thick where he sat. The beast began
the attack by striking at Stroganow with his
riYlt fore paw, and lie in return made a Vio-
lent thrust at his enemy, but either hit hlm to
little effect, or not at all then he lost his bal
ance, and hung on the bough by his lett
hard and knee, without power to rise ana
held himself The next moment the bear was
up6n hiEl The brave Russian, in spite OF
his perilous position endeavored to thrust at his
encnv.i but soon lost consciousness. The
bIood rusheA from his ears, aud the pain OF
the stroke from the animal began to supply
him. All consciousness vanished, and he
dropped from branch to branch, full sixty teet
down to the snow:
Those below had heard only the roaring of
the bear and the low moaning of their com
panion, when he suddenly fsIl down in tGeir
midst apparently Ifcless, Galowin quickly
raised him up, and placed him some PAGES
back, near the bushes. The rest waited to
avenge .hc supposed death OF Their TREND
Meanwhile an audible cracking of the bo;ghs
convinced the bear Of the danger Of his Sltua-
ton. When he found his prey snatched from
him, he returned to the thicker par, Of the
branch, where lie seemed considering how he
should act.
None Of the men standing below were
pracsiced hunters, and the darkness was so
rr4ai that they could not venture any more
Shots. In this emergency, they were consult
inc in a low tone what measure to take, when
Galowin uttered cry of JOY, for Stroganow