Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-02-08
BEARsToRY
By A CALIFORNIAN.

1t has long been asserted, and the pre-
valent opinion seems to be, that the in
domitable and mereiless scourge of the
Sierra Nevadas-the grizzly bear-is
incapable of ascending a tree-let the
following story show that the exploit, while
often attainable, is merely discarded as a
custom, through the animals fear. was
descending, al the close of one afternoon,
towards one Of those densely wooded ra-
vines which abound in the mountainous
regions Of California, when sight of one
Of these monsters, full grown, advancing
directly in my path, drove me to the usual
refuge Of the nearest tree. There seemed
at least, the distance Of quarter OF a
nile for the apparently slow and awk-.
ward creature 10 accomplish; yet the
very few moments l occupied to attain
the height Of twelve or fifteen feet, were
not more than sufficient to save me from
his rayenous jaws. As heard his heavy
steps and his low and angry growl di-
rectly beneath me, and felt, or fancied
felt, the tall tree quiver with the weight
Of his huge paw, my rifle fell, and gath
cred myself on the lowermost bough in
time 10 see the faithful weapon malicious
ly abused. However, considering myself
in security, I half enjoyed the rage and
Iperplexity OF the beast, till after repeat
edly endeayoring to dislodge me by
shake Of the tree, to my horror began TO
ascend. Rctreating upon the limb,
measured the height, with the idea of
leap and run for life. But sudden
thought certainly preserved me; for,
stationingmysef in the e-crotch, above
the bear, 1 patiently waited till his hot
breath was felt in my face, and then
poured a quantity of powdered tobacco
into his fiery eyes. His grasp instantly
relaxed, and with roar of anguish he
slid rapidly to the ground, where was
enacted a scene of the most extravagant
frenzy; he tore the frozen sod, and ca
pered over the area of mile in circum-
ference in the most confirmed disorder.
returning at last, desperately resolute, to
the conflict. My hopes now began TO
fail. At best was inexperienced my
last means ofdefencc gone, and not know
ing to what extent my besieger might
venture, | half anticipated most horri-
bic death; but the emergency was to
come. Glancing about me with scarce a
hope of relief, l discovered savage at
no great distance, and attracted him to
the spot by ny outcries but before he
arrived, l was driven out among the
branches, while my tormentor took pos
session of the crotch. My limb, as the
sagacious animal proved by carefully
testing it with an advanced foot, was far
too fragile for his enormous weight, though
perfectly adequate to my own; but the
satisfaction to his cruelty was not to be
SO slightly forgone, and he Immediately
shook the limb so violently that it was
broken at the trunk, and fell, while
seized bough above, and hung suspend
Ell in the air. At this moment | heard
the savage call; but he was unintelligi-
bic; while, suiting the instruction to my
own wish, attempted to swing myself
upon a support, but tore the twig from its
suspension, and fell upon the limb be-
meath. My antagonist was now descend
ing the tree, and rushed upon me the mo
ment he reached the ground bat the In
dian, leaping to the rescue, drove his
lance into the animals breast. and turned
the struggle upon himself Selling the
occasion to secure my rifle, which, for
tuaately, was charged and not seriously
damaged, as the beast passed me in pur-
suit Of The savage, placed the muzzle at
his head, and fred. With redoubled fury
he again turned upon me but with a
well aimed blow, the lance was driven TO
his heart, and he staggered aside, as his
heavy paw grazed my arm. lie had
seized my weapon, however, and also The
lance but even by his own efforts, Tho
latter was made his torture, while the IN
dian almost cruelty blinded him, by prick
ing his eyes with an arrow, and be was
shortly after despatched,
Eg Never forsake a friend when
enemies gather thick and fast around him
when sickness falls heavy on his heart
when the world Is dark and cherries,
this is the time 10 lry true friendship.
WoMAS's IEAsr.-Thackerav saws
a woman's heart is just like liqtlo-
grapher's stone what is once written,
can't be rubbed out. This /. 30. Let
an heiress once fix her affection on ,ia-
bic boy, and all the preaching in tho
world cannot get her heart above oat-
boxes and eurry-combs. What Is writ