The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-01-13
For the Valley Virginian
A Heroic Hunter.

In the snowy winter Of '53, two hunters,
Capt. Rudolph and his nephew, William Ru-
dolph, residents of the wild and romantic val
ley Of Cedar Creek, in the county of Shen-
andoah, Va, won for themselves considerable
renown for being the most daring and sue
cessful huntsmen in their county-they killed
more abundant and varied supply of game
than all the hunters then on the hunting
ground.
Capt Rudolph was blessed with powerful
frame full of active force, he was exceeding
ly handsome, with black luxuriant hair eyes
of the same hue, bright and penetrating as an
eagles, with his prowress he could wrestle
with bear VIGOROUSLY. William was brave
as lion, in truth, his boldness amounted to
recklessness when in the chase. Both were
fond Of the sport, and spent much of their
time in hunting.
One cold day in December, SO, the ground
being covered with good snow for tracking
game, Capt. r. and his nephew William,
equipped with guns, ammunition, and leash
of we'll trained hounds left their homes in
search of a bear, which had for some time
been destroying the hunters pigs and lambs
both felt confident Of tracking bruin to his
| den,
They selected for that days scouting North
Mountain, whose rugged peaks lowered above
their homes. The hunters had not travelled
more than mile from the settlement when
they saw plainly impressed upon the snow the
footprints Of two large animals, which they
supposed to be after careful examination, the
tracks Of wolves. After trailing through the
snow for some miles, they came to the bloody
bones Of calf, the animal had but recently
killed and devoured From this point the
wolves took direct path for the "gcven
Mile Mountain" known as the Three High
Heads Night was fast approaching. but the
anxious hunters perseyered on the trail until
they reached the mouth Of rough cavern,
where the tracks could no longer be seen. 1t
was evident that this was the animals covert.
After short consultation, the hunters
agreed to turn the dogs into the cavern and
run out the wolves, but this however proved
failure, as the dogs refused to enter, trep
ldatlon they had never before shown, which
greatly astonished their masters.
William Rudolph, becoming yexed at the
cowardlce of the dogs, determined to enter
the cavern; he drew off his heavy coat, but
could not carry his gun, the passage being
too narrow and rocky TO do so without much
time and caution. As twilight was now deep,
enlng into darkness, William Rudolp entered
without further elaboration, made his way
through the narrow pass for fifty feet or more,
when looking before him for admission, he
saw In the dark cavern, within few rods OF
himself, four balls Of fire blazing like meteors
Soon the animals saluted the hunter with
loud and threatening screams which reyerbe
rated through the cavern like the roar of far
Oft thunder. Our hero did at this iuncture
a wise act by retreating in double quick time
back to terra irma. He reported to his I'm
Gle that both animals were in the cave, and
had given him summons to combat. which
he was ready for. Capt. Rudolph unhesita-
slngiy handed William his rife, and in few
moments the daring young hunter had re
entered the den, facing the flashing eyes, and
with calm and steady aim fired Down fell
the light OF two eyes, the monster gave an
angry death gfoap, which convinced the hun
ter that his shot had been sue. Rudolph in
making his exit from the cavern was thrown
upon his face by the dead animals
companion, who, leaping over the body of the |
hunter, sped his way onward without giving
inc countersgn. or even casting one glance
upon his fallen enemy, now SO entirely at his
mercy, PROSTATE In the dust.
Capt Rudolph was standing at the mouth
of the cavern and gave the animal fire as he
passed, but unfortunately missed his aim for
'nce during his hunting career, and no blame
upon his sure eyeand firm nerve, for night
made the blunder. When young Rudolph I
eft the cave, he fonnd the Captain greatly
'xclted by not killing, as he supposed the big
Volt
Night prevented the hunters from making
urther investigations, both we're hungry and
at'gued, and many miles from home or shell !