The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-03-22
A Bear Story.
Bi A CALIFORNIAN

II has long been asserted and The preya-
lent opinion seems to be, that the ndomita-
ble scourgc of the Sierra Nevadas-the griz-
ely bcar-is incapable Of ascending tree !;
let the following incident show that the ex-
plot, while often attainable, is merely dis
carded as a custom through tho animals
fear. was descending, at the close Of one
afternoon, towards one of those densely
wooded ravines which abound in the noun.
famous regions Of California, when a sight
OF one OF these monsters, full grown, ad-
yancing directly in my path, drove me to
the usual reInge Of the nearest tree. There
seemed at least the distance Of a quarter of
mile, Tor the apparently slow and awkward
creature to accomplish yet the very few
moments occupied 10 attain the height o
twelve or fifteen feet, were not more than
sufficient to save me from his rayenous
jaws. AS heard his steps and his low and
angry growl directly beneath me, and felt.
or iancied felt the tall tree quivcr with the
weight of his huge paw, my rifle fell and
gathered myself on the owermost bough in
ayasvn to sec the faithful y capon I,siiclUusiy
abused. However, considering myself In
security, half enjoyed the rage and per-
plexty Of tue beast, till after repeatedly en-
deayoring to dislodge me by a shake Of the
tree, to my horror he began to ascend. Re.
treating upon the limb, | measured the
height, with the idea Of making leap and
run for life. Buta sudden thought certainly
preserved me for stationng myself in
crotch above the bear, | patiently waited :ill
his hot breath was felt IN my face, and then
poured quantity Of powdered tobacco into
his fiery eyes. His grasp instantly relaxed.
and with roar Of anguish lie slid rapidly to
the ground, where was enacted a scene Of
the most extrayagant frenzy he tore the
frozen sod and capered over the area Of
mile in circumference in the most confirmed
disorder, returning at last, desperately rcso.
lutte, to the conflict. My hopes began to
foil.
Al best | was Inexperienced: my last
means of defence had gone and not know
ing to what extent my besicgcr might ven.
ture, | half anticipated most horrible
death ; but the emergency was t. come.
CHANGING about me with scarce hope Of re-
lief, | discovered a savage at no great dis.
tance, and attracted him to the spot by
my outcres but before he arrived | wa,
driven out among the branches, while my
tOrmeHtor took possession Of the crotch.
Ny limb, as the sagacious animal proved by
testing 1t with an advanced foot, was far too
fragile for his enormous weight, though per.
iectly adequate to my own; but the salts
faction to his cruelty was not to be SO easily
foregonc, and he Immediately shook the
limb 50 violently that it was broken at the
trunk and fell, while seized bough above
and hung suspended in the air
1T this moment ! heard the savage call
but he waa unintcllisib!c, | attempted to
swing myself upon support, but tore the
twlg IRON It's suspension, and fell upon the
limb beneath. My antagonist was now de-
scending the tree, and rushed upon me the
moment he reached the ground but the In.
dian, lcaping to the rescue, drove his lance
into the animals breast, and turned the
struggle upon himself Selling the occasion
to secure my rifle, which fortunately was
charged, and not seriously damaged, as the
beast passed me in pursuit OF the savage.
placed the mu2zlc at his head and fired.
With rcdoubled fury he again turned upon
me; but with a wel-aimcd blow, the lance
was driven to his heart, and hc staggered
aside, as his heavy paw grazed my arm He
had seized my weapon, however, ard also
the lance but even by his own efforts the
latter was made his torture, while the Indian
almost cruelty blinded him, By prickng his
eyes with an arrow, and he was shortly af
ter despatched. - Boston Bee.