Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-02-06
A SPORTING ADVENTURE.
RY A RACKWOODsMAN

,scapes', in such cases. which very wise peo-
ple-who know nothing about it-in more civ
ilized places, have charged to the marvellous,
but which we of the woods, at least many of us,
know to be not only possible, but highly prob
able, and in some instances, by sad experience;
in illustration of which, win endeavor to de-
scribe an adventure of my own. In 1887 re-
sided on the banks of the Mississippi, &C. W.
as had done from my infancy. l was then,
about . years ago, stout and athletic, and pas
sionately fcid Of wild scenery and sporting
adventures. The month Of October had ar
riyed-the great season for partridge and deer
shooting and in accordance with my almost
daily custom, l sailed out with my fowling
piece-oue barrel charged with ball. and the
other with small shot. had succeeded in
bagging some small wares, and in passing
creek observed raccoon busily employed turn
ing over the stones in search of frog, worms,
&c. Without giving the matter much thought
1 succeeded in removing s'Ursa Minor' to an
other, if not a better world; and being rather
corpulent TO carry through the woods, hung
him upon a sapplng, intending to send for
him the next day; and as the part of the coun-
ny in which I was did not afford large game,
I charged the second barrel with shot also. L
had proceeded perhaps a mile, and was cross
ing the outskirts of a Taniarack swamp,
through succession ofnarrow and rocky glens,
with high and prccipitous sides, and had sprung
from rather high rock into rift of not more
than three feet wide, when 1 perceived the
eyes of an immense buck glaring at me, at not
| over ton feet distance. a glance showed ME
that he had no means of escape except over
myself; and aware of the desperation of this
otherwise timid creature, under such circum-
stances and at this particular season, formed
my resolution in an instant. 1 cooked both
locks, placed my fingers on the triggers, and
resolved to wait his spring, as did not think
my charge would injure him except at the very
muzze; I then knelt npon one knee and
watched his eye. III this took place in very
! few seconds,
At length the launches and ears were drawn
| back and with a tremendous snort he bounded
| in the air, with the evident intention of de-
scending upon 1ne quick as lightning both
barrels were discharged full into his breast,
and L received shock if from pile
| CINE, which deprived me of all sensation. A
bout three hours afterwards, / was brought TO
a state of partial sensibility by something lick
| ing my face, and something growing and
| scratching my clothes but being very faint
did not look up until enormous paws tore flesh
with them then, indeed, did look up, when,
what wcs my horror, 40 see huge bear, coolly
| licking the blood from my lacerated breast.
Weakness, more than self-possession, kept me
still moment, while two half-grown cubs were
tearing and scratching my legs and feet. The
desperation of the case aroused me to sudden
| energy, and, my right arm being broken,
slowly stretched my left hand to my back for
my hunters knife, resolved, if such can be
called resolution, TO save my life if possible.
| had got it drawn from the sheath, and was
watching a favorable opportunity to plunge 1t
| into the brute's throat, when, with frightful
roar, it fell across my body, apparently in the
very agonies of death. a fearful struggle en-
sued, which soon put stop to my feeble ex-
| ertions. When L next became conscious, j
was seated leaning against rock, and stall
wart Indian YOUTH who had been my compan-
| ion in many hard days hunt, was busily en-
| gagged 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 nursed me mother would
child, and the next day carried me by easy
stages to my parents.
1t appeared that he had called for me, but
being told that 1 was only gone few minutes,
thought that he would make up to me-he ac-
cidentally came to where had shot and hung
up the raccoon, but found that some bears had
broken the sapling and eaten their cousin
lie then struck their trails, and followed chem
to where he the old one apparently devour-
ing something, he did not know what. He
fred, and being aware of their tenacity of life,
waited TO reload his rife ere he yentured to
advance-a sad job for me, as by its dying
struggles / have been MANNED for life. 1t is
worthy of remark that the deer had been so
close upon me when fired, that his chest was
singed, and that the barrels of the gun were
found nearly eight inches deep in the wound
formed by their own discharge, while and
the stock had been driven upwards Of thirty
feet by the force Of his spring.
Such are some Of the perils of the back
woods sportsman, and which with many 9TH
ers, equally romantic, is an to'er true tale,' as
and many others know by hard experience.
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