Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-12-07
A long Might with Wild Beasts.

CLARK, Of JerseyShore, was exploring the
route for a new road to the settlement of
the EARNING and Land Association" a
new colony near the site of the famous Ole
Bull settlement, 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. Ills attention was suddenly
arrested by a rustling in The bushes close
by: and on looking around, he saw n huge
bear coming towards him. To draw up
his trusty rifle and shoot, was the work Of
a moment; Bruin gave fearful roar, which
awokc the echoes Of the gloomy solitude,
and then was still. Fearing that he was
only wounded, Clark hastily re- loaded his
gun with two balls, the last in his pouch,
and discharged them into the body of the
bear, when he cautiousl y approached and
found that he was dead. He describes the
bear roar, as he received his death wound,
as terrific, and calculated to make the
stoutcst heart quail with fear.
4 dark night was settling down on him
he had TO bullets-was far in the will
derness, without food or shelter He had
no matches to kindlc a fre-and, to add
t, his further discomfort, it commenced
raining. What was to be done To re-
main there, was exceedingly dangerous
He continued to grope his way through
the laurel, hoping to find path that might
lead to hunters habitation, but in vain.
The bowling Of pack of wolves greeted
his ear He soon became exhausted, and
found that he would have to main there
for the night Coming to a. aged hem
lock, he seated himself a. its root
Could he but obtain fire, he would be
mparativcly safe. The effort was made
by collecting some dry materials, and,
loading his gun with powder, fired the
charge into dry cotton handkerchief. 1t
was failure. As the gun was discharged,
another bear, apparently within twenty
feet Of him, gave hidoous roar, that
made Clark 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 here he remained, not daring to
fall asleep. About two o'clock in the
morning, to add to the horrors Of his sit
uation, the yell of a panther was heard.
The beast approachcl-came nearer, every
few minutes utteriug a screech that frozc
the blood in his veins! As a last resort
to defend himself from the attack Of the
savage animal, he reloaded his gun, put
ting in some three cent pieces and steel
pens, (for he had nothing else which he
hoped might do some execution. The an
imal came 50 near that the glare of his
y - III tAC ud4 hlIISo lt>tN! JItu lNp bilIs
of fire. There Clark remained, without
daring to move-with the fiery eyes Of the
panther fixed upon him. In this dreadful
expecting every moment to be
torn in pieces, he remained till break of
day, when he was relieved from danger by
the animal disappearing. IIuncry, weary,
and excited, b, left for the settlemcnt,
where he arrived about noon, and related
his thrilling adventure. y party proceed
ed to the place where the bear was shot,
aud brought in his carcass, which proved
to be very large one. 1t was dressed
and forwarded TO New York 1t was sew
errl days before Clark fairly recovered from
the fatigue, the fear, and excitement of
That night, which will never be removed
from his mind. JOHN OF LANCASTER.