The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-01-24
A LONG NIGHT WITH WILD BEASTS,

On the 4th Of November, 1885, Arvine
Clark, of Jersey Shore, was exploring the
route for new road 10 the settlement of the
Farming and Land Association" new
colony nea, the site of the famous Ole Bull
settlement in Potter county. When evening
drew on, he commenced relracing his steps,
but lost his way, in dense forest at least
eight miles from settlement. An old man,
tired OF walking, he sat down on log to
rest moment, and contemplate his situation.
His attention was suddenly arrested by
rusting in the bushes close by, and on look
ing around, be saw huge bear coming To-
wards him. To draw up his trusiy rife and
shoot was the wotk OF Esoment, zBrains.
gave 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
approached and found that he was dead
He describes The bears roar, as he received
his deaih.wound, as terrific and calculated 10
make the s,outest heart quail for 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
10 kinde fire--and, 10 add TO his further
discomfort; ii commenced raining Wha.
was 10 be done7 To remain there, was OK.
ceedngly dangerous. He continued TO srope
his way through the laurel, hoping to find
path that might lead TO hunters habiation,
bnt in vain. The bowling of a pack of
wolves greeted his ear. He soon became
exhausted. and found that he would have 10
remain there for the night. Coming to an
aged hemlock, he seated himself at its root.
Could he but obtain a fire, he would be
comparatively safe The effort was made
by collecting some dry materials, and, load
ing his gun with powder, fired the charge in.
10 dry cotton handkerchief. II was a fail
ure AS the gun was discharged. another
bear, apparently within twenty feet of him,
gave hideous roar, that made CIark's hair
stand on an end. Bruin was terribly fright
eued by the discharge Of the gun, and hast
'ly scampered of, much 10 the relief of
Clark. -
Here he remained, not daring to fall a.
sleep. About two O'Clock in the morning,
to add TO the horrors of his situation, the yell
Of a panther was heard The beast an
proached-canle nearer, every few minutes
utIering a screech that froze the blood in his
veins AS last resort to defend himself
from the attack of the savage animal, he re-
loaded his gun, putting in some three cent
pieces aud steel pens, (for he had nothing
else,) which he hoped might do some exc
cution. The animal came so near that the
glare of his eyes IN the darkness resembled
two balls of fire I! There Clark remained,
without daring to move-with the fer, eyes
of the panther fixed upon him. In this
dreadful situation, expecting every moment
TO be torn in pieces, he remained ill break
of day, when he was relieved from danger
by the animal disappearing. Hungry, wea-
ry, and excited, he left for the settlement,
where he arrived about noon, and related his
thrilling adventure A party proceeded to
the place where the bear was shot, and
brought in his carcass, which proved TO be
large one. Il was dressed and forwarded to
New York. 1t was several days before
Clark fairly recovered from the fatigue, ths
fear, and excitement of that night which
will never be removed from his mind
John or LANclsrre