The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1858-06-04
NO. 81.
The Femaie Bear-IIumter.

| The Female, Bear-IIunter.
In one of my ranbles after leaving
Psodinska, which led mo to the cas-
Of Orkoturia, and as far ~ the river
Tavla, came upon party Of peas
ants In the forest cutting wood, and
among them were several women.
1t was here that first nude the &C.
qusintancc of Anna Petrovnia, the
bear-hnnter. Her fame WAS spread
lar from the scene Of her conflicts
with bruin, who has not in the wide
range of Siberia more intrepid or
dangerous enemy.
At this time abe was about thirty.
two years OF ago. neither tall nor
short, and her step was firm, and she
was strong and active. Her conn
tenance was soft and pleasing; in.
deed, there was nothing in her ap.
pcarsnce that indicated her extraor.
dinary intrepidity. 1t is true she
came of u good stock, her father and
brothers heing famous hunters. |
was informed that very early in life
she hal displayed q love Tor the
chase; and having been taught how
% use the ride, many wolvo, and
other animals had fallen by her
hand. Each time that bear skins
were brought home by the different
members Of the family, her desire
increased to add one to her other
spoils. Without breathing u word
to anv onc, au,l with this object in
view, she sct out on n sporting ram
ble. the conversations of her family
having afforded sufficient inti,nation
OF the course shc ought to take.
Ono day II large bear had been
secn by one of her brothers, when
ranging through the forest with his
pea-ritie, in quest OF smaller game.
This was spoken of in her presence,
AMI the plan of campaign arran-
gcl, to be carried into effect in n day
or two. The next morning, long be.
lore any member of the household
hal lett their bc'ls, she pnt on her
hunting gear. sa,ldled horse. slung
hor rifle over her shoulder, AMI role
away. Anna WAS 40 crratic in her
movements that her absence cauIpd
no uneasiness. and before day dawn
ed. she was manv vcrsts from the
cottage. Early in the morning, sle
reached the f:rcst aud sccurci her
horse. 80 that he might feel while
she penetrated tho thick tangled
wood before her.
There WAS heavy lcw on the
grass in the open gllle'. and she ol.
served that bruin was taking his
morning ramblc, his track being
quite hesh. Looking at the pri-
ming of her -iil;, and adding pow.lcr
from her flask. she went on with a
firm step. The bear had male
many tnrninys on his march. hut she
followed him with all the sagaciry oi
Ia bloodhound, and never Que loai
his trail. Hour after hour passed,
however, and she had not caught n
glimpse oi him. IA it threatened
to bc u long chase, Anna had re-
course To her little bag. Sat down by
u small stream, and male her break.
fast on n piece oil rye bread, washed
Idown with draught from the pnrc
liquid flowing nj her feet. Having
erIled her frugal meal, she shoulder
eel her rifle and again pushed ON
She had another long and frnitlcss
walk. Satisfied that she was on his
track, she pursued rill she arrived at
u bed ct high plants, that included
the giant tennal, ot the flowers at
which bears are very fond. While
proceeding along the edge of this
bed, n fresh indication well known
to hunters, assured her that thc lot,...-
souyht'ior game was at hand. As
she was creeping cautiously f,rwnr'i,
out rushe, the bear. with loul
growl, about sixty yards in front. -
Quickly she threw forward the
prong, Of her ritl,, dropped on one,
knee and got u good sight "i'nlcss.
nd staring athsr The trigger, there
She neW a fash, u savage srowl sue
Gee led then IL struggle tor u minute
or two, AMI her wish was accom-
pl,she,i tho bear lay lenE After
taking off his skin, she started IN
search Of her hnr'c, which she i'mnd
Mt no great distance, for she lii.i
bcen brought back nearly totha spot
where she cnrn,nenccl her chase
She was shortly on her way home,
and astonished her family, on her
entrance 10 the cottage, by throwing
,he skin ON tho iloor. since this
time, Anna Petrovnia has engaged
with and killed s;rtecn bcar'.-( .tt'
k;ns0ns S;ber;1.
, DsMAL INCoNsIsrEScy. - Senat0l