Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-04-30
CONTEST WITH A SIBERIAN BEAR.

The following narrative, taken from
Atkinson's Oriental and Western Siberia,
shows the courage of a man, and the af-
fection of an animal for her little ones.
Our track led through part of the for
est, where an incident occurred to Cos
sack officer, that I cannot refrain from
repeating. One afternoon he was quietly
strolling through the forest, alone and un-
armed, bottanizing by the way, when, at
a distance of about Eight versets (5 miles)
from the gold mine, he came out of the
forest into an open glade on which stood
some single trees. Almost Immediately
on entering the spot, he observed, at a
distance of two hundred PAGES a she-bear
and her two cubs playing together. The
moment she became aware Of his presence
she uttered savage growl, drove her
young ones into a tree for shelter and
mounted guard at the foot of it to defend
them.
The Cossack retreated into the wood
10 provide himself with weapun, having
determined to carry off the cubs. The
woodman had been cutting timber, and
from the stems of several young birch
trees lying on the ground he selected part
of strong one near four foot in length
and then, club in hand, retraced his steps
As soon as the old bear observed his ap-
proach she began to growlfuriously, NOV.
ing to and fro at the foot of the tree. He
slowly advanced. When within a hun
dred PAGES she made savage rush-bu
he firmly stood his ground, watching he
near approach. AT this moment the cub
began to whine, and she trotted back t,
the tree again in increased fury the Cos
sack followed, and when she turned rount
they stood face to face, within twent-
PAGES of each other. There was now n
> retreat. The brute eyed him keenly fo
two or three minutes, as if calculating hi
strength, he returned her gaze with a
searching scrutiny. Presently she mad
second rush, her eyes glared like ball
Of fire. At a few PAGES from her enem
she rose on her hind legs, intending I
give him a settler with her powerful paw
or to clasp him in her savage embrace
but on the instant he made sweep wit
his club, and dealt a blow that toppled ht
over. She was up again in a second ar
ready for action, but another blow la
her PROSTATE. This added to her fero
, ity. Many rounds were fought, her a
- tagonist keeping clear of her paws.
last the blows began to tell on her cou
: age. She endeavored to get behind hi
= but his cudgel met her at every tur
the blows fell so fast that she at last b
gan to retreat towards the forest; b
the moment her assailant moved st
towards the tree, she would rush out, {
nd
king especial care not to come within
ON
reach.
IN
The cubs remained in the branches.
: At this time a woodman returning to t
- gold mine rode into the glade. He W
instantly hailed and rode towards the tr
He was ordered to dismount, and ia
from his saddle the large leathern bs
-. and open them, then climb the tree a
Co.. bring down the cubs. The man was SC
up among the branches, secured a CT
tor brought it down, and tied it safe in a ba
10. the other was quickly secured in the sa
way.
During these operations the mott
rushed at the Cossack, and was seve
times knocked down. After a walk
nearly two hours they reached the villa
when the bear returned to the forest /;
;.o was never seen again.
Iich