Squatter sovereign., 1856-12-16

Bounds with one fatal spring the mighty brute, |
waving to ana fro
His angry tail; red roll hi. eyes dilated glow.
Where his vast neck just minsles with the spine
Sheathed in his form the deadly weapon lies.
CHIpE HARoLD's PILGRIMAGE.
Upon one evening. a party ofscollegians
and young bloods Of the town had met to-
gether at my room to play and carouse. In
fact, it was a regular meeting of the hum
tiers, who assembled twice in every week.
We kept it up JOLLY until midnight, hav-
ing in that time managed to get full of
Racchus, when Somers proposed that we
all should sally forth and astcnish the town
by some well-plsnned and well-cirected
piece Of mischief Without any one Of
US having very clear conception Of our
actions or intentions, we hailed the PROPOSE
| ton with drunken rapture and started forth.
A travelling menagerie had arrived in
town the day before, and among the Won
ders it contained was a young bear. The
poor animal had been so well beaten that
he became very humble, and acquired
number of amusing tricks. or this we
were aware, having visited the managerie
the day before. Just as we passed the
spot where the animals were confined it
occurred TO me what rare sport it would be
to capture poor Bruin and place him in the
chamical lecture room, to astonish, on the
next day, the professors and the class.
| No sooner had 1 made proposition to
this effect than it was ADOPTED, and all vol
unteered their assistance in carrying it in
| to execution. The tent or pavilion which
covered the beasts was erected in the great
yard of the principal tavern. The cages
each containing one or more animals, were
irons grated boxes, sanding oa wheels. by
means of which they had been dragged
into the town. They were ranged round
!. the interior OF the tent, fronting circular
array of wood and iron. Not imagining
that any one would disturb the animals
7 the showmen and keepers had retired te
rcst along with the inmates of the tavern
: leaving the tents entirely unmatched. Thu:
we were afforded a clear field in which we
were offered clear field in which to exc.
cute our scheme. After several of oul
! number had been posted as sentineis, the
rest crept in under the canvas and entered
the arena. It was some time before we
could in the deep darkness Of the place
identify the cage in which our friend Bru1
had been placed to sleep. After stumbling
ever divers things which lay scattered
about. and pesring here and there in the
dark, we found the object of oar search
There, in substantial cage, was the dir
outline of the animal, his two white eyes
flashing drops of fire at being aroused from
from his quiet slumber.
The next difficulty that occurred to US
was the mode of conveying him to the col
tlege, which was several hundred yards dis
tant Some Of the jewellers proposed tha
we should throw halter around his necl
and so drag him along. We rejected this
not from any personal fear, since we ha,
arrived at that point which makes oblivi
Gus of danger. but lest we should be seel
by some late straggler, and have our fui
spoiled. A better plan was, after mucl
scheming, devised. and one which me
with universal scquiescence.
In the tavern yard stood water hogs
head, with sliding lid fastened by mean
of hasp and staple. We had only to rol
this in. slide down the box from the wheels
open the door Immediately in front of tn
ihogshead, and drive the animal in. w
could then push down the lid OF the cask
secure it by means Of arope passed throug
the staples, and roll eur prisoner and pris
on house to the college.
Il No sooner was this suggested than w
hastened to put it into execution. Th
icage, with our united efforts, was slid quie,
lily down from the wheels, Bruin growlin,
all the while with anger, the hogshea
was rolled in and placed open end in frcr
of the cage, and the animal stirred up wit
four canes With terrific yell he rushe
in, and we closed the lid suddenly dow
upon, fastening it the same time in a Sc
Icure manner. The yell of the bear ha
reused the other animals. and our ear
were RECALLED for the next ten minute
with variety of hideous sounds that wa
iAened fearfully the sleeping echoes of tn
night. The animal in the hogshead srowl
| ed, and his voice came like distant thund
! er. so deadened was i. by the wood II
which be lay. His fellows had no ineuEn
branee to their voices. and they howlsd a
clearly as though they had been in thei
/ native forests.
! Fearful OF being discovered, we remain