Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1856-02-13
0Mtsttru Gife.
A Sporting Adventure on the Miss.
issippi.
BY A BACKwooDsMAN.


/ have often seen accounts of hair
breadth 'scapes" in such cases, which very
wise people-who know nothing about it
in more civilized 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 probable, and in
some instances. by sad experience; in il |
ustration of which, | will endeavor to de-
scribe an adventure of my own. In 1887
resided on the banks of the Mississippi,
&c. W. as had done from my infancy
| was then, about twenty years ago, stout
and athletic, and passionately fond Of wild
scenery and sporting adventures. The
month Of October had arrived-the great
season of partridge and deer shooting;
and in accordance with my almost daily
custom, sailed out with my fowling-piece
-one barrel containing ball, and the
other with small shot. had succeeded
in bagging some small wares, and in pass
| ing a creek observed raccoon busily en-
| ployed turning over the stones in search
Of frogs worms, &c. Without giving the
matter mnch thought succeeded in re-
moving Ursa Minor" to another, if not
a better world; and being rather corpu-
lent to carry through the woods, | hu g
him upon saping, intending to send for
him next day; and as the part of the coun-
try in which l was did not afford large
game, | charged the second barrel with
shot also | had proceeded perhaps
mile, and was crossing the outskirts of
Tamarack swamp, through a succession of
narrow and rocky glens, with high and
PERCEPTIONS sides. and had sprung from a
rather high rock into rift of not more
than three feet wide, when perceived the
eyes Of an immense buck glaring at me-
at not ever ten feet distant. A glance
showed me that he had no means Of escape
except over myself: and aware of the des
! peration Of this otherwise timid creature,
Lnder such circumstances, and at this par
ticular season, / formed my solution in
an instant. / cooked both locks, placed
my fingers on the triggers. and resolved
to wait his spring, as | did not think my
charge would njure him except at the
very muzzle; Iknelt upon one knee and
}, watched his eye. All this took place in
a very few seconds.
At length the launches and ears were
drawn back, and with tremendous
snort he bounded in the air. with the evil
dent intention of descending upon me;
) quick as lightning both barrels we're dis
charged full into his breast, and | receiv
cd shock as if from pile engine, which
deprived me Of all sensation. About three
5 hours afterwards, / was brought to state
3 of partial sensibility by something licking
my face, and something growing and
e scratching my clothes; but being very
S faint did not look up until enormou;
5 paws tore flesh with them; then indeed
$ did look up-when what was my horror
to see a huge bear, cody 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
f The desperation of the case aroused me tC
A i sttccclfeu my
> .left hand Tiny right arm was broken) to
S 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 q favorable
opportunity to plunge it into the brute's
| throat, when with a frightful roar, it fell
, across my body, apparently in the very
) agones of death. A fearful struggle en-
sued, which soon put stop to my feeble
exertions.
When next came to my senses, l was
) seated leaning against rock, and stall
wart Indian youth, who had been my COM
panion in many hard days hunt, was
busily engaged in binding up my wounds,
| with lawns and cfp fr0,, l,
scanty garments. Not being able to take
me home that night, he made a fire and
nursed me as mother would child, and
the next day carried me by easy stages to
my parents.
! 1t appeared that he had called for nc,
but being told that was only gone few
minutes. thought that he would make up
to me-he accidentally came to where
had shot and hung up the raccoon; but
found that some bears had broken the sap
ling and eaten their cousin. He then
struck their trails, and followed them to
where he saw the old one apparently de-
vouring something, he did not know what
He fired, and being aware of their tenaci-
ty of life. waited to reload his rife. ere he
ventured to advanee-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 near me when
fired, that his chest was singed. and
that the barrels Of the gun were found
nearly eight inches deep in the wonnd
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 peris, of the back.
wood sportsman, and with many others.
equally romantic, is an owre true tale, ;"
and as and many others, know by hard
experience.