Squatter sovereign., 1856-03-18
a Mississippi Sporting Adventure.
BY A BAcKwooDsnAN.


'scapes,' in such cases, which very wise
people-who knows nothing about it-in
more civilized places, have charged to the
marvellous, but which We of the woods
at least many of us-knowto be not only
possible, but highly probable and in some
instances by sad experience. In illustra-
tion of which, I will endeavor to describe
an adventure of my own. In 1887 resi-
ded on the banks of the Mississippi, GO.
W., J as l had done from infancy. I was
then, about twenty years old, stout and ath-
letic, and passionately fond OF wild scenery
and sporting adventures. The month of
October had arrived-the great season for
patrige and deer shooting and in accor-
dance with my almost daily custom, I sail
ed out with my fowling pieee-one barrel
containing a ball, and the other small
shot. / had succeeded in bagging some
small wares, and passing creek observed
racoon busily employed in turning over
the stones in search of frogs, worms, Sc
Without giving the matter much thought,
| succeeded in removing 'Ursa Minor to
another, If not better world; and being
rather corpulent to carry through the woods
l hung him upon sapling, intending to
send for him next day and as the part
OF the country in which was, did not afford
very large game, charged the second
barrel with shot also. l had proceeded
perhaps mile, and was crossing the out
skirts of Tamarack swamp, through a
succession of narrow and rocky glens, with
high and PERCEPTIONS sides, and had sprung
from rather high rock into rift of not
more than three feet wide. when | perceived
the eyes of an immense buck glaring at
not over ten feet distance. A glance show
ed me that he had no means Of escape ex-
cept over myself; and aware of the desper-
alton of this otherwise timid creatures crea-
ture under such circumstances, and at
this particular season, formed my resolu-
ton in an instant | cooked both locks,
placed my fingers on triggers, and resolved
to wait his spring, as did not think my
charge would injure him except atthe muz-
zle. | knelt upon one knee and watched
his eye-All this took place in very few
seconds.
Atlength the launches and ears were
drawn back and with tremendous snort
he bounded in the air, with the evident in
tention of decending upon me.-Quiek as
both barrels were discharged
full into breast, and received a shock as
if from pile engine, which deprived me
of all sensation. A5out three hours. after,
as near as / could Judge by comparing
dates afterwards, was brought to state
of partial sensibility by something growl
ing and tearing my clothes; but being very
faint did not look up till enormous paws
tore my flesh with them. Then, indeed,
1 look did up-when what was my horror
to see huge bear coolly licking the blood
from my lacerated breast. Weakness,
more than self-possession, kept me still a
moment, while two half grown cubs were
tearing and scratching my feet. The des-
peration of the case aroused ms to sudden
energy, and l slowly stretched my left
hand (my right arm was broken) to my
back for my hunters knife, resolved, if
such can be called resolution, TO save my
life if possible. I had got it drawn from
the sheath, and was watching favorable
opportunity to plunge it into the brute s
throat, when with a frightful roar, it fell
across my body, apparently in the agonies
of death. A fearful struggle ensued, that
soon put stop to my feeble exertions.
When next came to my senses, was
seated. leaning against rock, and a stall
wart Indian youth, who Lad been my COM
panion in many hard days hunt, was
busily employed in binding up my wounds
with leaves, and strips torn from his own
scanty garments Not being able to take
me home that night, he made fire, and
nurssd me as mother would a child, and
the next day carried me by easy stages
to my parents.
1t appears that he had called for me, bur
being told that was only gone fewmin-
utes, thought he would make up 10 me-
He accidentally came up to where had
sho. and hung up the raccoon; but found
that some bears had broken the sapling
and eaten their cousin. He then struck
their trail, and followed them TO where he
saw the old one apparently devouring
something. he did not know what. He
fred, and being aware of their tenacity o.
life. waited to reload his rifle, ere he ven.
tured TO advance sad job for me as BY
its dying struggles | have been manned