The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-10-03
GALES, Skettbes, 4neeOutes, &t
a BEAR HUNT IN ALASKA.

More than twenty years ago Ben Ring
bolt and l shipped on board the North
Star, for a three years. whaling voyage.
Ben and had been brought up boys to-
gether and the first time we went to sea
it was on the same ship, and we never
parted until poor Ben went out on that
long voyage that we have all to take,
sooner or later.
Well, the North Star sailed away, and
in due time we rounded the Horn, entered
the Pacific and at last reached our fishing
grounds. The season was well along, so
we had but little time for work, and al
most before we knew it, the long nights
and the cold were upon us. We bore
away for Alaska, where we were soon
snugly housed for the long and drcary
winter that was coming over the ice and
snow, with the speed of ship with her
sails all set, before a spanking breeze.
Here we lay cooped up for two good
months, with only now and then run on
shore to pay visit to the natives. The
sun bad scarcely shown his face at all,
and only few moments at time when
he did Soon came the continuous night
day, for the sky was all ablaze with great
flaming swords that seemed to wave to
and fro as you looked upon them. There
were no clouds, and the flames could be
seen flashing far over the snow and ice.
Nothing ever saw could compare with it.
One day, or rather night, some of the
natives came on board and reported that
g huge white bear had been seen near the
coast, and was now making off over the
ice towards the hills that we could see
sparkling in the light some four or five
miles away and every one, from the cap
tain down to the cook, was eager to go in
pursuit of the animal which was described
as being monster in size. Of course
all could not go, and as an example to
e o5e who must be left behind, the captain
remained, and the first mate led the par
ty; among which were Ben and /, thank
ing our stars that we had got chance to
stretch our legs ashore. We were not
long in being put on the trail by the ma
tives, and we had not gone a mile from
the ship when we saw our game shamb-
ling along before US some distance ahead,
making its way in no hurry towards the
bills or rather cliffs of icc that stretched
themselves along the horizon. The snow
and ice was so firm that it seemed as
though We were travelling on a marble
floor, and so hard was it, that the bear
hardly left trail enough for US to discern
where it had passed.
1t was sport for us thus to have free use
of our legs, and with loud shouts, which
we could not suppress, we hurried on in
hopes of getting near enough to the bear
to send shot after it before it could reach
the hills, and eIude US, But in spite of
all our efforts it reached the foot of the
cliffs and began to climb the Jagged mass
es, while we were still so far distant that
a shot would not have reached it.
Once or twice the bear had turned and
looked towards US, as if scenting pursuit,
and then had gone on again at the same
pace as before. After climbing Jagged
cliff, as high as ships masthead, where
it could obtain good lookout, the beast
stopped and took deliberate look at us /;
and though we came hurrying on, showed
no haste to proceed. At last the mate
determined to risk a shot, and bringing
his piece to bear he sent the bullet flying
in the direction of the monster, which,
rearing on its hind legs and uttering a
fierce growl, showed that the ball had
struck. A shout of triumph broke from
our throats, for we felt sure that the bear
was now in our power, and incapable of
leading US much longer chase. But in