Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-03-07
THE mississippi SPORTING AD-
VENTURE.
ny A pAcKwoops,fAy.

ry 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,
aud in some instances, by sad experience.
In illustration of which, will endeavor
to describe an adventure of my own. In
/ 1887, resided on the banks of the Mis-
sissippi. &C. W., as I had done from my
infancy. 1t was then, about twenty years
ago, stout and athletic. aud passionately
! fond of wild scenery and sporting adyen-
lures. The month of October had arriY-
ed-thc great season of partridge and
deer shooting and in accordance with
my almost daily custom, I sailed out
with my fowling piece-one barrel con-
tanning a ball. and the other small shot.
had succeeded in bagging some small
wares, and in passing a creek observed a
racccon busily employed in turning over
stones in search of frogs. worms. &c.
Without giving the matter much thought.
4 succeeded in removing "UFsa Minor" to
another, if not better world and being
rather corpulent to carry through the
woods, hung him upon a sapPling. in
tending 10 send for him the next day -
and as the part of the country in which |
was did not afford very large game, |
charged the second barrel with shot also.
l had proceeded about mile. and was
passing the outskirts Of a Tamarack
swamp through succession of narrow
and rocky glens. with high and pre-
cipitous sides, and had sprung from a
rather high rock into rift Of not more
than three feet vide, when perceived the
eyes of an immense buck glaring at me
not over ten feet distance. a glance
showed me that he had no means of es-
cape, except over myself; and aware Of
the desperation of this otherwise timid
creature under such circumstances, and
at this particular season; | formed my
resolution in an instant. cooked both
barrels, placed my fingers on the trig-
gers, and resolved to wait his spring,
as did not think my charges would iu-
jure him except at the very muzzle. l
knelt upon one knee and watched his eye.
All this took place in a very few seconds.
At length the launches and the ears
were drawn back, and with a tremendous
snort he bounded in the air. with evident
intention of descending upon me. Quick
as lightning both barrels were discharg-
ed full into his breast, and l received a
shock as if from pile engine, which de-
prived me of all sensation. About three
hours after, as near as l could Judge by
comparing dates afterwards, was brought
to state of partial sensbility by some
thin. licking my face, and something
being very faint, did not look up till
enormous paws tore my flesh. Then, in
deed, did look up-when what was my
horror to see huge bear, coolly licking
the blood from my larceraLed breast.
Weakness more than self.possesion kept
me still moment, while two half-grOwn
cubs were scratching and tearing my legs
and feet. The desperation of the case
aroused me to sudden energy. and
slowly stretched my left hand, nay right
arm was broken to my back for my hun
ter's knife, resolved, if such can be called
resolution, to save my life if possible.
had got it from the sheath, and was
watching favorable opportunity to
plunge it into the brute's throat, when
with frightGul roar, it fell across my bo-
dy in the very agonies ofdeAth. A fear
ful struggle ensucd, which soon put a
stop to my fearful exerliuns.
When next came to my senses. was
seated. leaning against a rock, and stall
wart Indian youth, who had been my
companion in many hard days hunt,
was busily employed in binding up my
wounds with leaves. and strips torn from
his own scauty garments. Not being
able to take me home that night, he made
Il fire, and nursed me as a mother would
a child, and next day carried me by easy
stages to my parents.
1t appeared that he had called for me,
but being told that was only gone for a
few minutes, thought that he would make
up to me. He accidentally came 10 where
had shot and hung up the raccoon but
finding that some bears had broken the
sappling and eaten their cousin, he then
struck their trail, and followed them TO
where he saw the old one apparently de-
what. He fired, and being aware of their
tenacity of life, waited to reload his ri
tle, ere he ventured to advanGe-a sad
job for me, as by it's dying struggles l
have been manned for life. 1t is worthy
of remark that the deer had been so close
upon me, when l fred that his chest was
singed, and the barrels Of the gun
were found nearly eight inches deep in
the wound formed by their own discharge.
while and the stock had been driven
upward Of thirty feet by the force of his
spring. ..,
Such are some of the perils of the
backwoods sportsmen. and which. with
many others equally romantic, is an ''ow-
er true tale." as l and many others know
by hard experience.
A PUZZLED IRrsuXAN.-Mr. O'Flaher-
ty undertook to tell how many were at the