The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-06-02

BY A SOUTHERN MAN.


interior of Arkansas, has missed several
hogs from the pen in which he was fat
/ tening them for autumn. The pen was
| built at the base of high hill which hid
it from the house, and just on the edge
Of an upland jungle or. thicket of under
growth, which extended along to the
nearest spur of some neighboring hills,
which swelled upward to a height almost
emitting them to be called mountain
range. Surprised at the loss Of bis hogs,
Mr.. Rodney determined to keep strict
watch, and, if possible, detect the depre-
dator upon his property. rfr #
One morning, just at dawn of day, he
heard the squeal of hog in the direction
of his pen. Springing out of bed and
putting on his garments, he hurried to
the rescue of the squealing porker. AS
soon as he came in sight of the pen, he
saw huge bear, with hog in his mouth
and fore-paws, leisurely retreating to the
thicket. Returning to the house for his
gun, n trusty rifle, of large bore, he soon
came back to the pen. The bear and
hog had both disappeared.
| Mr.. Rodney, who was a bold advcntu-
rous man, of high courage and great
| physical strength, at once determined on
pursuit. The blood of the mutilated hog
making a distinct mark upon the ground,
made it an easy matter to follow. the
track of its captor. Entering the thicket
and going forward a short distance, Mr..
Rodney saw the bear, some forty or fifty
steps in advance of him, deliberately
munching the hog for his morning meal.
To raise his rifle, aim and fire, were the
work of but moment. The bear fell,
apparently lifeless, in his tracks, at tho
crack of the gun.
Feeling certain, from the range of his
aim and the plump fall of the bear, that
he was killed outright, Mr. Rodney ap-
preached with the view of taking nearer
look at his bulky proportions. When
within few yards of where he lay, the
bear, to the great surprise of the planter,
rose slowly up, looked fiercely back, gave
deep cultural growl, and started for
ward in tho direction of the neighboring
hills.
Mr.. Rodney, seeing the copious dis
charge of blood from tho wound made by
his ball, and observing that the bear
staggered in his gait, followed on afte,
him, expecting soon to see him fall. The
bear moved slowly, but steadily on, never
looking back at his pursuer, but keeping
up low moan or ,growl indicative of pain
or anger, or of both combined. Having
reached the base of the highest and steep
est hill in the group, he began the ascent
with still slower pace and deeper growls
Mr.. Rodney was only few PAGES in the
rear and gaining upon him every moment
At last, when near the summit of the
hill, he came quite up with the bear
whose steps, staggering and slow, seemed
faltering with fatigue and loss of blood
Thinking that only a slight push was
needed to bring him to the ground, Mr.
Rodney gave the bear severe punch
with the butt end of his gun. ~
/ TIE blow seemed to recall both strength
and spirit to the now enraged and DIES
perate beast. Turning quickly and sharp
" round, he stood within few feet of biz
pursuer, upon whom he manifestly pro-
posed to make an immediate attack.
Mr.. Rodney comprehcnded the full
peril of his position in moment. HI
had no weapon but his gun, which HI
had not reloaded after the first discharge
To defend himself with it by blows wa
utterly impossible, considering the siz'
and massive weight of the bear. Th'
only hope of escape wac a retreat dow
the hill, which he began at once with ra
pid strides.
The bear, accelerated in his speed b!
the momentum of the descent, and per
haps also by pain and anger, rushed
headlong after him. From crag to rock
and from rock to erag, the planter leape'
. with an agility and speed incredible al
most to himself. Well he knew that
once within reach Of those terrible jaw
gaping to rend and devour him, his Wit
would be widow and his children father
less. before hs could commend himsel
and them to the mercy of Heaven IN
prayer.
Every moment seemed to increase tn
/ speed and ferceness of the bear. Whcl
, the chase began he was only few fee
in the rear of the planter. At the bot
! tom of the hill, which they had nov
/ reached, the distance between them wa
lessened by nearly halt.