Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1856-07-05
An Adventure in California
BY WILLIS J. HEMANT.


In 1850, SAID the captain. while John
Inglis and myself were travelling through
California, We ercamped one nigh1 near
the head Of the Mohone Tires; and alter
unloading our mules aul fixing them out
10 grass, we took a cold smack Of supper
and then spreading our blankets laid our
selves down TO rest. The night was
clear and pleasant, but quite dark, though
not more so than is usually the case when
there is nothing but stars to shine and
as we had been journeying in This way
for a long time, We were accustomed 10
it, and so felt perfectly al home.
do not know why it was, but from
some cause | could not 90 10 sleep as
usual. | lay thinking of home, friends
and my present situation, when my al,
tention was arrested by swapping OF dry
brush in the distance, evidently caused
by the walking Of some living creature.
Turning TO John, found that he too
had not slept, but like myself was now
listening to The mysterious sounds. We
soon perceived that the noise grew nearer,
which began 10 give us lille concern.
What can it be? , asked John.
told him that Judging from the long
intervals between the cracking il must be
something that walked with great caution,
and therefore | should take it to be an In
dian. In this lie readily agreed, and af-
ter seeing that our weapons were III good
order, we resolved TO lay quiet until he
approached us, and then if he showed
any suspicious signs TO dispatch him IN
Staner.
/ Nearer and nearer the intruder approach
ed until within about fifty PAGES, when all
became silent, not sound broke upon
lie stiffness of the night. 1t was evlden
that the creature had flown, or was stay
ing still in one place and the latter we
thought more probable. We were no
long held in suspense, however, for soor
The rustIing recommended, and began tC
approach US more rapidly than before, anC
by the heavy footballs we we're convinced
that ii was not an Indian.
Our courage began to Ooze out, on
fears began 10 rise, and in moment they
were fully justified by seeing hUgi
greyish looking mass issue from the thlcE
darkness and wag up to the p ACE where
we were lying. No longer shade q
doubt crossed cor minds as 10 what i
was, we knew it 10 be a mons rous griZ
! ly bear, but what course was best for Us
10 pursue was rather hard 10 divine. TC
show fight, we were positive, would be
folly, for with ali our weapons we would
have been before it like grass-hoppers be.
fore hen and chickens. Fight was I'M
possible, for in speed ii would have ex-
ceIled us; and as to climbing, there was
not tree in several miles. Oar chance
appeared slim, but knowing that we could
not better ii, we covered over our heads
in the blankets, and almost. without brea-
thing awaited the result.
The bear came up and smell Of us,
pushing US with his nose, patted with his
paws, and then walked around us, then
smeIt and patted again, and SO on for a
considerable length Of time. | shall moi
attempt to describe Johns sensations on
this occasion, for did not feel them; but
as for myself, already felt that was on
sse road TO some other world, and at eve
- cath il appeared that my skull had
10 crush beneath pair Of powerful
- AT length the bears curiosity was at.
tracted by the pile Of white bags, a short
distance from US, which contained our
-four, and he went TO seek information
there. a ripping noise convinced Us that
he was taring them open, and we remoy-
ed The blanket from our heads that We
might watch his movements. He did not
seem inclined TO eat, but rather TO amuse
himself at Our expense, by emplylng our
bread-sluff on the ground, which amuse-
ment he kept up until the last sack was
pulled into strings: and then 10 complete
the job he laid down and rolled in our
-four. This seemed to delight him, for
after getting Up and shaking himself, he
Immediately repeated the experiment
which he continued TO do for neatly dn
hour.
Having became tired Of this fun he tri.
ed our bacon which lay near al hand, but
finding too much salt to suit his taste he
moved slowly off the way he had come,
leaving US 10 exulI our good fortune and
hairy flour.
WILLIAM HUGHEs, California pedes.