Eastern times., 1856-04-03
A Night of Horror.


bowling wilderness yet the land is good, and
efforts are making 10 have it cleared and set
tied. Mr.. Arvine Clark, an experienced
woodsman, is an agent for parties who wish 10
into market and in the course of his explora-
tions he meets occasionally with rare adven-
tures-of which the following is regarded by
him as the most frighiful that has ever befallen
him during his long career in the backwoods.
The story was related to the writer by Mr.. C.
himself, and may be relied upon as being cor
rect:
On the 4th of November last, Mr.. c. was
exploring rout for new road TO the new SET
tement, through wild and gloomy wilder
ness. As the shades of evening drew on, he
commenced 10 retrace his steps, as he supposed,
through lands of VIM. Silver, Esq, of Phila-
delphia ; but be was disappointed and lost his
way. He become alarmed, and as the dusky
shades of night settled around, he found him
self in dense forest, al least eight miles from
the settlement Becoming very tired from rap
id walking, he sat down upon log to rest, and
contemplate for a moment his situation. His
attention was suddenly arrested by rustling
in the bushes close by, and on looking cautious
ly round, he beheld huge bear coming towards
him. To draw up his trusty rife and shoot
the beast was the work of a moment. Bruin
gave a fearful and awful roar, which awoke
the echoes of the gloomy solitude, and then
was still. Fearing that the beast was only
wounded, Clark hastily reloaded his gun with
two balls, the last in his pouch and discharged
them into the body of the monster, when he
cautiously approached and found that he was
dead. He describes the roar Of the beast, as
he received his death wound, as terrific, and
calculated 10 make the stoutest hear: quail and
fear.
A dark and gloomy night was settling down
on him-he had no bullets for his gun-was
far in the wilderness, without food or shelter,
surrounded by. wild animals. He had no
matches to kindle fre-hs situation was Ges-
perate, and 10 add 10 his further discomfort, it
commenced raining. What was TO be done I
to remain there without fire was exceedingly
dangerous With these reflections he contin-
ued to grope his way through laurel, hoping 10
path that might lead TO hunters habitation,
but in vain. The night was as dark az Egypt,
and the bowling of pack of wolves greeted
his ear Being an old man, he soon became
exhausted, and found that he would have 20 re-
main for the night.
Coming TO an aged hemlock he seated him
self at its root for The night. Could he but OBJ
tain fire he would be comparatively safe. The
effort was made by collecting some dry mate
ras, and loading his gun with powder, he
fired the charge into dry cotton handkerchief
1t was failure As the gun was discharged,
another bear, apparently within twenty feet of
! him, gave hideous and awful roar tha; made
Clark's hair stand on end. Brnin was terribly
frightened by the discharge of the gun, and
hastily scampered off, much 10 the relief Of
Clark, who now began 10 fairly realize the
danger Of his situation.
Here he remained, not daring to fall asleep.
About Two o'clock in the morning., to add 10 The
horrors Of his situation, the yell of panther
was heard. The beast approached
nearer, every few minutes uttered screech
that froze the blood in his veins! As last re-
savage animal, he reloaded his gun, putting in
some three cent pieces and some steel pens (for
| he had nothing else) which he hoped might do
some execution. The animal came so near
that the glare of his eyes in the darkness re-
sembled two balls Of fire ! Clark every moment
expected to receive the fatal spring. There be
remained without daring 10 move, with the fiery
eyes Of The panther fixed upon him. In his
dreadful situation, expecting every moment tc
be torn in pieces, he remained till break of day
when he was relieved from danger and The an
imal disappeared. Hungry and weary and ex
cited, he left for the settlement, where he ar
rived about noon, and related his thrilling ad
venture. A party proceeded 10 the place
/. where the bear was shot, and brought in hi;
carcass, which proved TO be a large one. |
was dressed and forwarded TO New York. !
was several days before Clark recovered from
the fatigue, the fear and excitement Of th
night, which will never be removed from hi
mlnd.-Poughkeepsie Eagle.
A LUCKY sHoP.-During the seige of Sebas
topol Russian shell buried itself in the side o
little fountain bubbled forth where the cannon
shot had fallen, and during the remainder O