The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1859-02-26
20 oaraon with the neara.

FHF Apchy MuuHllirf,
"LAts one afternoon, just Afer the little
party had gone into camp, Kit having linrer-
cd somevhai behind, suddenly rode into the
eamp-ground, and.leapsd from hls horse. Civ
ing Tin care Of ono gf the men. With bis
'ie' he then started IN pursuit Of game for
4 supper. lie walked on about one mile from
emp and there came upon the fresh tracks
Of some elk. Following up the trail, he dis
covered the game grazing on tho side Of a
81. 10 The nrishborhpud Of these animals
there we're some low and eraggy pine trees.
Moving along with great care, he fnally
gained The cover n the trees. which brought
him In elosepFoSimily 10 the elk, and within
certain range Of bis rile. This care wns the
more necessary as bis party had been viii %
out meat Tor some time, and began q be-
greatly 10 need thereof These syer-warv
animals saw or scented him, or at any rat,.
became conscious Of approaching danger
from some cause, before he could re teR the
spot from which be- d dpircd to take his ain.
They had commenced moyirg, and in ano.
ther ina:ant would have bounded away cut
Il nll reach Of his rilc. Ills eve and piecr.
however, we're too quick for them, for. bring
ing bic piece into position, and without dwell
ling lbor his ain, he sped bullet after tho
largest and fattest Of the noble game before
him. lie had wisely allowed for the frat
leap, for his shot caught tho nimh.e animal
ia mid air, and brought him TO the earth,
wriihing in his death agony, With fearful
wound through the l.-~r aud lungs from
which there was no escape. One culver ran
through the frame Of the beautiful animal.
whcn he hrrathed his last tKt echoing
sound Of the rifle shot had hardly died away,
TO which the true hunter ever listens with un-
lrigued pleasure as The sweetest music on his
ear whenever he has seen that his game is
surely within his grasp, when the last faint
melody was broken IN u1rn and completely
lost in a terrific roar from the woods directly
behind him. Instantly turning his head to
note the source Of the sound. the meaning
and cause Of which he well knew by his exs
pcrieneed wuodmnns ear, educated until its
nicely was truly wonderful, he saw two huge
and terribly angry grizzly bears. As his eye
rested upon these unwelcomc guests, they
we're bounding towards him. their eyes fash
ing fiery passion, their peary teeth glittering
with eageruess to marglr his desh. and their
monstrous fore-arms hung with sharp, body
claws, ready and anxious TO hug his body in
close and must loving embrace. There was
not much time for Kit 20 scratch his hend
-ssi1s
thought then would have proved his death
warrant without hope Of a reprieve. Messrs.
Bruin evidently considered their domain
most unjusdy ia,ruded upon. Kit required
no second thought to pereeiye>that the mon
arcns OF the American forest we're unappeas-
ably angry, and were fast nearing him with
mighty stride.
Dropping bis ride, the little lcaden bullet
Of which would now have been worth to him
its weight in gold If it could by some magic
wand have been transferred from the heat
Of the elk back into its hrceoh, he bounded
from his position in close imitation of the en-.
but with better success. The trees he h or
ed aud prayed, as he fairly hew ,v.r the
ground, with the bears hot in chase, for one
quick grasp at sturdy sapling. BY good
fortune, or special Providence, lis hope, or
praysr, was answered. Crasping lower
LIMB, he swung his body up into the first tier
of branches just as passing Bruin brushed
against one of his legs. Bears climb trees,
and Kit Carson was not ignorant Of the fact
instantly drawing hts kseH-odged hunting
knife. he cut away for dear life, at thick,
short branch The knife and lis energy con-
qucred the cutting just us Messrs. Bruin had
gathered themselves up for an ascent, j pro-
eeediug on their part TO which Carson would
not give assent. Carson was well acquainted
with the Messrs Bruins pride in, and ex.
treme consideration foR, their noses A few
sharp raps made with tho severed branch up
On the noses Of the ascending bears, while
they fairly made them to howl with pain and
rage, now kept Carson and Messrs. Bruin ac-
lively busy for some time. The huge mon
sters and monarchs of the mountains were
determined not to give it up so. Such a full
fair chase, and to be beaten by single white
man en- their own domain This evidently
CALLED their sensitive natures. II is true, the
roaring of the bears in his rear had stimuIati
cd Carson in the race, much so, that he
undoubtedly ran at the top of his speed and.
being naturally, as well as by long practice,
very feet of foot, he had managed to out
( strip his pursuers in the race. IL is true ho
had made short work Of climbing the tree
and here again had very innocsnny beaten
the bears at their own game, and ane in which
they took great pride It is more than prob
able that the bears we're in too good condi-
ton to run well. Had il been early Spring
time, they would doubtless hgve been much
lower in flesh. That was their oysh fault too
they should have known that racing time can
not be made on high condition. After leav-
ing their h5bernating quarters, they should
lhavc been icSs gwen to sumptuous habit al