Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-01-18

a THRILLING BEAR SToRY.-A correspond
ent OF the Lewisburg Era, writing from Nicho
las County, Va, gives an incident of most
exciting nature which occurred there Viii
liam G. Barnett went on hunting expedition
carrying dog with him. After being out a
short time he shot large bear, breaking his
back and rendering his hinder 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 search of the bear, when
he was tripped up, falling PROSTATE, his head
down the hill, his legs resting on the log
The bear then drew 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 sitting posture, his
right hand still grasping his knife, with which
he aimed at the head OF the bear several effect
i've blows one, however, missing his mark,
intiicting deep horizontal cash in his right
leg, above the knee. So soon as the bear ca
ger for revenge, discovered this mistake, he
caught the wound in his jaws, tearing it horri-
bly, Finally, Mr.. B. succeeded in disengaging
himself, while the bear, very nigh exhausted,
retreated several yards down the mountain
Steep where, from the eIlectS OF the shot and
cuts, it instantly expired.
Mr.. B., feeling his almost helpless condition.
and fast growing weak from the loss of blood,
resolved, in his weak state, to prove more than
conqueror, loaded his gun the fourth time,
dragged himself down the hill, and shot his
antagonist the second time, the bear being
some moments dead. No further danger being
possible from that source, Mr.. Barnett was
made to reflect upon his situation-a distance
of four miles from any neighboring house. al
most dying-beyond the reach of human aid.
Rejecting thus, happy thought occurred to
his mind, which was to rend from the bosom
of his new linen a strip containing the buttons,
which he crimsoned in his own blood, bound it
around the neck of the dog, and endeavored,
through gentle means, to persuade him to leave
him and go home and give the alarm.
The dog advanced a few PAGES, and returned
to his master, licking his wounds, and bowling
most piteously. MIR. B. then took n piece off
his hunting shirt, attached it to the neck of the
dog, and then proceeded to strike him, which
he had refrained from doing until he found it
strictly necessary to save his life. This, the
second time, he was successful. Mr. b.. fear
ing his dog would not go directly home, drag
ged 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 COM
pany going a contrary direction from his mas
ter. In the meantime, a Mr.. John Buffum
traced the dog up a mountain stream, whence
he had come. Arriving at the top, he distinct.
ly heard Barnett halloo-procured the assist
ance of his friends, made haste to the spot
and conveyed Mr.. b. to his home, almost in.
sensible. AT last accounts he was very i'll, and
not expected to survive"