Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-12-15
ALONG NIGHT WITH WILD BEASTS
E. F. r.

On the 4th of November, 1855, Arvine
Clark, of Jersey Shore, was exploring the
route for new road to the settlement OF the
"Farming and Land Association" new COL
ony near the site Of the famous Ole Bull set
tlement, in Potter county. When evening
drew on he commenced retracing his steps,
but lost his way in dense forest at least
eight miles from settlement. An old man,
tired with walking, he sat down on log to
rest moment and contemplate his situation.
His attention was suddenly arrested by q
rustling in the bushes close by, and on look
ing around, he saw huge bear coming to-
wards him. To draw up his trusty rife and
shoot, was the work of a moment; Bruln
gave a fearful roar, which awoke the echoes
of the gloomy solitude, and then was STILL
Fearing that he was only wounded, Clark
hastily reloaded his gun with two balls, the
last in his pouch, and discharged them into
the body Of the bear, when he cautiously ap-
preached and found that he was dead. He
describes the bears roar, as he received his
death-wound, as terrific, and calculated to
make the stoutest heart quail with fear.
A dark night was settling down on him
he had no bullets-was far in the wilderness,
without food or shelter. He had no matches
to kindle fire-and, to add to his further
discomfort, 1t commenced raining. What
was to be done? To remain there, was ex-
ceedingly dangerous. He continued TO grope
his way through the laurel, hoping to find a
path that might lead to hunters habitation
but in vain. The bowling Of a pack Of wolves
greeted his ear He soon became exhausted
and found that he would have to remain there
for the night. Coming to an aged hemlock,
he seated himself at its root. Could he but
bn ha rafi soff
The effort was made by collecting some dry
materials, and, loading his gun with powder
fred the charge into a dry cotton handker
chief. 1t was failure AS the gun was
discharged, another bear, apparently within
twenty feet of him, gave hideous roar, that
made Clark's hair stand on end. Bruin was
terribly frightened by the discharge of The
gun, and hastily scampered of, much to the
relief Of Clark.
Here he remained, not daring to fall asleeI
About two o'clock in the morning, to add t
tht horrors of his situation the yell of pan
ther was heard. The beast approached
came nearer, every few minutes uttering
screech that froze the blood in his veins A
! q last resort to defend himself from the at
tack of the savage animal, he reloaded hi
! gun, putting in some three cent pieces ant
steel pens, (for he had nothing else,) whicl
he hoped might do some execution. The an
imal came so near that the glare of his eye
in the darkness resembled two balls of fire
There Clark remained, without daring t
move--with the fiery eyes of the panther fix
ed upon him. In this dreadful situation, ex
pecting every moment to be torn in piece;
he remained till break Of day, when he wa
relieved from danger by the animal disappear
ing. Hungry, weary, and excited, he left 70
the settlement where he arrived about nooI
and related his thrilling adventure. A part
proceeded to the place where the bear wa
shot, and brought in his carcass, which pre-
we'd TO be very large one. 1t was dresse
and forwarded to New York. 1t was seve
al days before Clark fairly recovered from th
fatigue the fear, and excitement of that nigf
which will never be removed from his min'
JOHN OF LANCASTER