Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1867-03-06
with a Grizzly Bear.

OF tnc mountain couutleS VI OailIorhlu WIS
alarmed and annoyed by the proximity and
predatory excursions Of grizzly bear. Two
hunters determined to rid the ncighborhood
Of this dangerous pest Finding one day
on the side Of the mountain heifer that
had just died, they constructed over it a
rude scaffolding, carelessly erected, with the
customary recklcssness of those mountain
GERS, and, worse still, just over, instead Of u
short distance from the bait as it should
have been.
With blankets to guard against the cold
nights, enough cooked provisions to last
two or three days, and their guns and am
munition, they took up their position on
the structure.
At dark the full moon rosc with a soft
clear brilliancy Of light peculiar to those re-
gions. No frog, no bird, no animal cry
interrupts the awful stiffness Of those rug
gcd solitudes after nightfall.
A feeling Of uneasiness began to creep
into Hiram Johnson's mind, which degen-
Grated into something like timidity, as upon
walking across the floor of the scaffold, he
felt it shake beneath him, and for the first
time, observed its rickety character.
Gray" said he, "this thing amt SAFE
Let's prop it up some more"
"Ah! I" exclaimed the other: "Listen ~
They could hear the rustling in the brush
some distance up the mountain, and were
soon enabled to perceive huge grizzly bear
making his way down to their hut.
When he had arrived within about twen-
ty feet he observed the hunters, and raising
on his hind feet, advanced as if determined
upon an attack, to the dismay Of johnson,
who felt satisfied that slight pressure of
the beasts enormous body would overthrow
their frail structure, and place them at the
mercy of this savage enemy.
The bear, however, after few steps
abandoned this threatening movement, and
dr0ping on all fours, walked under the
scaffold, and commenced his repast, rub
bing against one of the posts in passing,
and thereby rocking the whole concern.
Johnson's uneasiness haanHRw become
fear, and his whole desire " Keep per-
fecty still, in the hope that the bear would
gorge itself on the dead animal, and then
90 away and leave them uninterrupted. This
fear decpened into terror, as he saw the big
whiskcrs, shaggy hair and burly form Of
Gray, gun in hand, creeping to the edge Of
the platform.
Gray" he whispered, don't shoot
This thing amt built right. 1t ought to
have been a little distance off, SO that We
could shoot without leaning over the edge.
Now we can't get no fair shot, and if sou
don't kill it, it'll kill us.
Gray's answer was only an impatient mo-
ton with his left hand, meant for a signal
to keep quiet, and crawling with his body
far over the edge, so he could see well un-
der, he began to bring his gun forward, and
turn the muzzlc under the scaffold, prepara-
tory to firing on the bear, which was too
much engaged in eating to notice what was
going on above. But that shot was never
fired, for the added weight Of the gun in its
position and that of the owner was all that
was needed to cause the scaffold to COM
mence slowly settling towards the side over
which Gray was leaning.
"Back, Gray; back! The scaffold' fall
ing!" almost shrieked johnson with pallid
face, striving to pull his companion toward
the centre.
But it was too late. she thing suddenly
fell, and the wreck, men and grizzly, were
mixed in confusion.
. johnson, concciving he had no time to
waste in rising to his feet, Immediately pro-
ceedcd to aounce out Of the wreck, and roll
down hill with celebrity no hoop-snake
could surpass.
Gray, now nearly as much terrified as
johnson, passed him with two leaps Of
amazing stride, and had nearly reached the
bottom of the hill, when it occurred to him
to have hasty survey over his shoulder.
johnson was still rolling, but no bear was to
be seen. Astonishcd at this, the fugitive
stopped and faced the situation, when high
or up the mountain, he discovered the mon
ster, evidently as much terrified as them
selves, hastily entering the bush from which
he had just emerged.
Gray then enlightened johnson on the
state of affairs and undecisively proposed
going up after the guns and blankets, but
the last-named gentleman very decisively
said he would prefer going home, and they
went without any unnecessary waste Of time.
Their information in regard to scaffold
architecture in connection with grizzly-bear
hunting, had received the light of some
valuable experience.
par Some one says to young men, don't
rely upon the name Of your ancestors.
Thousands have spent the prime Of life in
the vain hope of receiving help from those