Smyrna times., 1856-12-24
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How Sam Ransom fought the Bear.
BY w. W. ]

spent seHeral mohtnS very agreeaDly In nunt-
ing. One day it would be prairie game ano-
ther ducks or dear. Occasionally trip on
Lake Michigan, with some fishermen, after
white fish or Mackinaw trout, or solitary and
alone, angling for bass in some of, the streams.
1t need scarcely be said success to overfowing
crowned my efforts. Had it been otherwise, it
is probable that the fever and ague, or rather
apprehensions of it, would have curtailed my
visit. This was prior to the time when Batch
elor's ingenuity was required to preserve the
pristine color of my wool. What the chances
for sport may be in. those diggins at this day,
deponent saith net; but allowing me the YAM
KEGS privilege of guessing, I'd say, fair.
A raw-boned, long-six, named Sam Ransom,
frequently accompanied me in those days on
my hunting excursions. Sam was what might
be termed a worthless fellow, but it might be
said of him with a verify, he could whip his
weight in wildcats, and drink Lake Michigan
dry, if it contained whiskey instead of what
was formerly considered an element, but pro.
ven by recent discoveries to be all gas. Sam
took to me, partially because | had cured him,
his mother and two sisters of the ague, (being
fortunate in having good supply of Osgood's
Cholagogue on HANDY but more especially on
account of quart flask that occupied space
In my game-bag. took to Sam, partially for
want of company, but more especially on ac-
count of the two pretty sisters referred to-
They were both very pretty, but unlike as day
and night. Yethave never been able to discover
which loved best-it is certain, was per-
fectly happy with either when the other was
absent. ~ =.
1t was rumored about the sparsely settled
neghborhood where we were, that the track of
bear had been frequently seen near Wolf
Lake, a sheet of water about five miles square,
in the northeastern part of the county and
State, and it was agreed between US one even
ing, that we should start about three o'clock the
following morning in search of Bruin. Sam
said {" he had killed several bars in Kaintuck,
awllers in fair fight, but didn't profess to know
much about hunting bars" was very near
square with him in the latter particular, but
immeasurably behind him in the former. We
had some ten miles 10 walk and wade, hence
our early start. Riding was out of the ques-
ton in such a country, unless we could, like
some of the mystical ancient females, ride a
broom. We were armed--Sam with his rifle
/. and my bowie-knife The latter he carried
through species of vanity, but as he said, to
cut the throat of deer after shooting it. The
" evidence in favor of.my view of the case was,
that he carried it when he hunted grouse or
ducks Iwith my ever-faithfnl double-barrel
= whose throats contained each, nine large buck
shot, and as dernier resort had Sans tona-
hawk. 1t being quite cold when we started
i. Sam drew on his wruprascal, which looked al
:, though it was compose of coarse dog-hair, spur
yarn, and kindling-wood. Day broke before we
d reached the Lake. Sam drew his broadcloth
:, as he called his overcoat and carried it acros
s. his arm. To this circumstance he was proba
J, bly, indebted for his life. / will take this op
porlunity, of recommending similar mode Q
- defence to the bar-hunters over in Jersey.
n we approached the Lake, our dogs, four in mum
% ber, became excitcd--two of them had bee
Of borrowed for the occasion. Unable to restrai
the stranger dogs, they broke ours followed
giving tongue at each jump, but shortly tree
in cluster of cedars, SO dense that hummin
bird would have been nonplussed to force pas
sage. rlael e3.. .Ja ri. III. iirrs ~
S We subsequently discovered that we wei
). on narrow strip of land, on our left was Wo
, Lake, on our right was q slough. II appea
hat that Bruin had retreated, until perhaps
leir thought forbearance ceased to be o virtue,
l'~ what is quite as probable, because further r
can treat was impossible, unless he took to the w
E. ter. At all events, he halted, and might ha
Co, exclaimed with Fitsjames, jn faac5oss 8aur
i.ia. "Come one, come all, this tree shall fiy,
the From its firm base, as soon as !. ; silsg
49, Judging from the music, there was soi
Il sturdy blows given and taken in that thi *
Lc but none to record it, But certes, though Brl
s. could not write, he made. some marks that
New blind man would have sworn was his. ef.e
issi Ew Sam and I had separated about thirty fe
the each peering through the bushes to see WI
stei ss was the row. Very shortly Sam drew be
esa. crack went his rifle, slight yelp was Civ
and and and our best bull:errier was dead as Chels
xes. BEFORE the smoke had fairly cleared away, I'll
Ina = was was great swapping and cracking Of the bus
~ IA our direction. n Sam had barely time to d
IL his rifle and grasp his g tooth-pick,' ere
"a bear was upon him. He came fast, with giar
mers eyes, eyes and the foam flying from his mouth,
nd a v,ben within about four feet Sam threw
own oyercoat directlyjn his face and gave him
also bowie knife. This however. did not check
sasss charge He struck Sam somewhere betw
Isss- 'ss- wind and water, knocked him about ten =
517I took his,opportunity of slipping nine -eu
ruce, shot into Bruins broadside at distances of