Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-08-30

Bears have been very plentiful in the neigh
borhood of Cayanville, Canada West, during
the present summer, and do not appear to be
satisfied with the ordinary fare OF the woods
but make occasional raids among the tlochs of
the neighboring farmers for supply of NUT
ton, which the said farmers do not all approve
of. Loud complaints have of late been made
of the thievish propensities of an old she bear
and her two cubs and several truitless at
tempts have been made to discover her hid.
ing place. GA Monday evening last, however,
the bear and her cubs were seen crossing the
gravel road Immediately above Lawson's hill
into Mr.. lutchinson's woods. Messrs. w.
Gamer, II. Gardiner, and some other parties
assisted by a small dog, followed in pursuit,
and after a short but exciting stern chase, sue
ceeded in freeing all three in very large elm
not more than ten rods from the gravel road.
1t being about dark, fire was at once kindled
under the tree to prevent the bears tiom com.
ing down, and as the only weapons in posses
sion of the party were an old Waterloo bay
onet, a pitchiok and pepperboX, messen
ger was despatched TO Granville for rein
iorcements, arms and ammunition. ! h. den
liens OF Granville always fond OF sport, turn
ed out in force and were soon on the spot
Extra fires were made, small trees which in.
terrupted the one in which the bears were
pitched cut down, so as to enable us to discern
the trio if possible. but although the iuel was
piled high on the fires, and the flames shot up
through the cracking brushwood to SINCE and
shrivel the bears on the lower limbs, which
were some sixty feet high, the dense foliage
OF the top still hid the game from view How.
ever, it was soon evident that the animals did
not relish the smoke and intense heat for in
few minutes scratching noise was heard in
the top of the tree, and Immediately altcrward
an imprudent cub was seen making his way
down large limb, followed by the old bear,
evidently with the intention Of taking it back
She was, however, too late; volley of shot
brought down the cub, and having received
one or two herself, she made hurried retreat
to the top OF the tree. 1t was now II O'Clock,
and it became evident that we should have to
make night of it, as there seemed to be no
probability Of being able to obtain another shot
at the animals before daylight. party was
accordingly sent off to Cayanvie Tor refresh
ments, which were not long in reaching us
and although the weather was not very propi-
tious, succession of thunder showers falling
throughout the night, every one present seem
ed to enjoy the sport About II o'clock we
took census The returns gave 81 men and
boys, IL dogs, rifles, shot guns, pistols,
l bayonet and one pitchfolk With what sort
OF feelings old bruin surveyed these from her
lofty perch, will not venture 10 hazard an
opinion. | am, however, certain that she
never bad 81 good an opportunity of hearing
the "Rcd, White and Blue" "Annie Laurie"
Dixie" and many other good songs, which
the merry company below were singing, to
while away the time also, if she had any
taste for music she must have been highly de-
lighted. just as daylight was breaking, a
heavy thunderstorm came on The torrents
of rain extinguished the fires, and we were
left almost in total darkness The greater
part of the company scampered off for shell
Ter under the trees. The bears made an
other attempt to get down, and would most
probably have succeeded in the darkness and
confusion, were it not for the exertions of
few persons who stood to their posts in the
emergency. However the shower was soon
over-the fires kindled-daylight fast appear
ing-and as we now felt sure Of our game, all
parties were in high spirits. In short time
there was sufficient light to enable all present
TO see the old bear sitting on one branch and
holding on by another near the top of the tree,
the cub being nearly close to her A volley
was fired from all guns and the old bear came
tumbling down dead. a few more shots
brought down the remaining cub. The bears
were of the brown nosed species The old one
was large but very poor, and had eleven balls
through her The hunt being over, the party
returned to Cavanville, bearing the game along
with them. Meeting Robinson & Co.'s circus
troupe on the way, a bargain was struck with
them for the wounded cub, which they took
off with them. However, as there are seven
balls through it, it is not likely to survive a
very long journey. -POrter Spirit, Aug. a.