Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-05-07

sounded, and the mastltf5 being lot loose,
precipitated themselves pell nell in the
direction of the struggle. Their furious
barking was soon confoundcd with the cries
Of the hunters and the din of the instruments,
mingled with the formidable growing of the
bears, making altogether hideous concert,
which, rolling along tho sides of the valley,
WAS repeated BY tho distant echoes At this
moment the young baron regarded his
companion, whose coantcnance, though pale,
renamed calm and scornful.
Attention, SIR said he in low voice.
"The bears are not far from us, lot your aim
be true, or else"
keep your counsels for yourself, sir :"
attention !" repeated Villetreton, with
out seeming to notice the 6urly ponse-"he
approaches
Those who were placed in front of the
cascade, seeing the animals directing their
course to the bridge; cried from all parts,
'Look out. look out, Viletreton - But tho
breaking OF branches, followed by the rolling
| o oned stones down the prccirico, had
already gives warning of tho animals near
approach. Malatour became deadly pale he
however, held his carabinc firmly, in the at
ttudc of IL reslluto hunter.
bear at length appeared, with foaming
mouth and glaring eyes, at times turning as
if he would lain struggle with his pursuers
but when he saw the bridge, his only way Of
escape, occupied, he uttered fearful gr0wl,
and raising himself on his hind legs, was
rushing ON our two hunters, N,b.u bail
struck him in the forehead AID he fiji ut
their feet
Mulatour conyusively graspcd his gun--hc
had become completely poweress. suddenly
new cries, louder and more pressing, were
heard.
Fire Gre he is now on you - cried tio
pareu', who appeared unexpectedly, pale ard
agitt-d, his gun to his sholder, but afraid to
fire, least he should hit his master.
The latter, percciving his agitation, turned
round it was indeed time. On the other
side of the bridge II bear much larger than
the first, was in the act Of making Il final
rush. Springing backward, he sCzol the
carbine of his potrifed companion, and lodg-
ed its contents in the animals breast, ere be
could reach them. He rolled, in the death
Struggle. to where they stood. All this wpa
the work Of an instant The knees Of the
hardy old pareur shook with emotion at the
escape lis young master as for Nlaatour,
his liyid pal,nefs. and the csmulsivc shud-
dering ofhis limbs. testified the state Of lis
mind.
Take your arms" said the young baron,
i"i'Aly iOptACiHS III MS llttluo tllc ttIupllc,
there are our comrades-they must not see
you unarmed and, pareur, not word OF all
this"
"Look :" said he to his companions, as they
gathered around, pointing to the monstrous
boasts-''one to each. Now Monsieur de
Malatour, | wait your orders, and am ready
to give the satisfaction tn y require
The latter made no reply, but reached out
his hand, which Nilletreton cordially shook
That evening banquet was given to cele
brate the double victory Towards the end
of the repast q toast to " the vanquishcrs "
was proposed and Immediately accepted.
Monsieur d'Argentre, glass in hand, rose
to pledge it, when Malatour, also rising, held
his arm, exclaiming To the sole vanQuish-
er Of the day to our noble host 1t was
| ho alone who killed the two bears; and if,
through his generosity | have allowed the il
| lusion to last so long, it was simply Tor this
reason The afiront which gave him was a
public one, the reparation ought to be public
likewise. | now declare that Monsieur de
| Villetreton is the bravest of the brave, and
that shall maintain it towards all and against
all
This time, at least, I shall not take up
your gauntlet said Monsieur d d'Argentr6.
There s brave young man - cried the
pareur, whom his master had admitted to
his table, and who oudcavored to conceal a
turtive tear. " Nothing could better prove to
me, sir, that with a little experience, you will
be as calm in the presence OF bears as YOU arr.
| am sure, in tho face Of an enemy