Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-02-03
A THRILLING BEAR STORY.

A correspondence the Lewisburg Era
writing from Nicholas county, Va, gives
an incident of most exciting nature
which occurred there recently. VIM. G.
| Barnett went on hunting expedition,
carrying a dog with him. After being
out a short time he shot a large bear,
breaking his back and rendering his hind
er limbs useless. He then advanced on
the animal-knife in hand-to dispatch
him. The letter says:
The spot where the bear was shot,
is on the mountain side, Immediately
above the decayed trunk of fallen tree
No sooner had Mr.. B. mounted the log
in reach of the bear, when he was tripped
up, falling PROSTATE, his head down the
hill, his legs resting on the log. The
bear then dlew him up and commenced
gnawing and biting at an increased rate.
Mr.. B. knowing his dangerous situation,
| felt that something for the better must
be did. Raising himself partially up, in
q sitting posture, his right arm still grasp
ing his knife, with which he aimed at the
head of the bear several effective blows +;
one, however, missing his mark, inflicted
q deep horizontal cash in his right leg.
tabove the knee. So soon as the bear,
eager for revenge, discovered this mis-
take, caught the wound in his jaw, tear
ing it horribly. Finally Mr.. B. succeed
ed in disene aging himself, while the bear,
livery nigh exhausted, retreated several
yards down the mountain steep, where,
from the effect of the shot and cuts, in
etantly expired Mr. b, feeling his al.
most helpless condition, and fast growing
weak from loss of blood, resolved, in his
weak state to prove more than conqueror,
reloaded his gun the fourth time, dragged
himself down the hill and shot his antag-
onist the second time, the bear being
dead some moments.
T. No further danger being possible
from this source, Mr.. Barnett was made
20 reflect upon his sitnation-a distance
of four miles from any neighboring house,
almost dying-beyond the reach Of human
aid /; rejecting thus, happy thought oc
CURED to his mind, which was to rend
| from the bosom of his new linen, strip
containing the buttons, which he Grim
eened in his own blood, bound it around
the neck Of the dog, and endeayored
I
through gentle means, to persuade him to
leave him, and go home to give the alarm.
The dog advanced few PAGES, and re-
tnrned to his master, licking his wounds
and bowling most piteously. Mr.. B. then
took piece off his hanting shirt, at.
tached it to the neck Of the dog, also, and
proceeded to strike him, which he had
relrained from doing until he found it
strictly necessary to save his life. This,
the second time, he was successful. Mr..
B., fearing his dog would not go directly
home, dragged himself up the mountain,
in order to gain the summit, where, should
the dog fail, he might be heard to halloo
more plainly. The dog, however, was
faithful, gave the alarm, but would not
return, on account Of the company going
in contrary direction from his master.
In the meantime, Mr.. John Buifmau
traced the dog up mountain stream,
whence he had come. Arriving at the
top, he distinctly heard Barnett halloo-
procured the assistance of his friends,
made haste to the spot, and conveyed Mr..
b. to his home, almost insensible. Last
accounts he was very i'll, mad not expect.
ed to survive ~