The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-01-26

puhiuS OoutueuCcu, uCCotupdIlicu Wy ioW
growing. Each prepared his arms; the in.
s,rumenls sounded; and the maslifis being
lei loose, precipiiaied themselves pellmell
in The direction Of the struggle. Their furi-
Gus barking was soon coniounded with the
cries OF the hunters and the din OF the In.
s,ruments, mingled with the formidable
growing OF the bears, making altogether q
hideous concert, which, rolling along the
sides of,he valley, was repeated by the dis.
tant echoes. At this moment the young
baron regarded his companion, whose coun-
ienance, though pale, remained calm and
scornful.
"A,ten,ion, sir" said he in low voice.
"The bears are not Ear from Us lot your
aim be true, or else.-' Is ,i iitikl
"Keep Your counsels FOR yourself sir"
sptt A,teniion!n repeated ville.reton, with
out seeming 10 notice the surly response
"he approaches" - ..T'3 ..7'
Those who were placed in front Of the
cascade, seeing the animals directing their
course 10 the bridge, cried from all parts,
"Look ont, look out, Yilleireton!" But The
breaking Of branches, followed by the roll
ing OF loosened stones down the precipice,
had already given warning OF The animals
near approach. Malaiour became deadly
pale; he, however, held his carbine firmly
in the attitude Of resoluie hunter.
A bear al length appeared, with foaming
mouth and glaring eyes, at times turning
as IL he would fain struggle with his pur-
suers; but when he saS the bridge, his only
way Of escape, occupied, he uttered fear.
ful growl, and raising himself or his hind
legs, was rushing on our two hunters, when
a ball struck him in the forehead. and he
fell dead ut their feet.
Malaiour convulsively grasped his gun,
he had become completely powerless.-
Suddenly new cries, louder and more pres
sing, were heard.
"Fire, fire, he is now on yoa" cried
the pareur, who appeared unexpectedly,
pale and a.iiaied, his gun 10 his shoulder,
but afraid 10 fire, lest he should hit his mas
ter.
The latter perceiving his agitation, turned
round; il was indeed lime. On the other
side of the bridge, n bear, much larger than
the first, was in llIe act OF making The final
rush. Springins backward, he seized The
carbine Of his petrified companion, and
lodged its contents in the animals breast
ere he could reach them. He rolled, in
the death struggle 10 where they stood. All
this was tho work of an instant. The knees
of the hardy old pareur shook with emotion
at the escape of his young master; as for
Mala,our, his livid paleness, and The con.
sulsive shuddering Of his limbs, testified
the state of his mind.
"Take your arms" said The young baron
quickly replacing in his hands The carbine;
''here are our comrades,-they must no,
see you unarmed; and, pareur, not word
OF all this"
Look! said he TO his companions, as
they gathered around, pointing 10 the mon.
s,rous beasts, tone 10 each. Nov, Mon.
sieur dc Mala,our, wait your orders, and
am ready 10 give tho satisfaction you re-
quire."
The latter made no reply, bul reached
ou, his hand which Vilelre,on cordially
shook.
Tha, evening a banquet was given 10
celebrate the double victory. Towards The
end of the repast, toast 10 "the vanquish-
ers" was proposed, and Immediately nc.
cep,ed. Monsieur d'Argentre, glass in
hand, rose 10 pledge it, when Mala,our,
also rising, held his arm, exclaiming,-"To
the sole vanquisher OF the day!-to our no.
bic host. Il was he alone who killed the
two bears; and IT, through his generosity !
have allowed The illusion 10 last so lorg, il
was simply for this reason: the affron,
which gave him was a public one,-ihe
reparaiion ought TO be public Likewise. l
now declare the Monsieur de Vilelre,on is
the bravest of the brave, and that shall
maintain i, towards all and against ALL"
"This time, at least, | shall not take up
your gauntlet" said Monsieur d'Argenire.
"There is brave young man " cried
the pareur, whom his master had admitted
10 his table, and he endeavored 10 conceal
furiive tear. "No,hiug could better
prove 10 me, sir, that with little expert.
ence, you will be as calm in the presence
Of bears, as you are, am sure, in the face
, of an enemy"