Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-05-09
Grafton.
ANOTHER BEAR HUNT,

dwelling house of Ephraim Wilbur, Esq, |
soon crossed the road and passed on to |
the hill on the east side of the valley. |
The Northwest Fur Co. we're at once in
formed of the fact, and arrangements
made to Ego for him : early the next
morning. Accordingly the next morn
ing the North Westers and twenty-three
yeoman, armed to the teeth, took their
coffee at an early hour and started. Ar
rangements had been made the night
previous for the valley men, with what
could be raised in Athens, to surround
the south side of the hill and advance
north until met by the North Westers or
the report of rifle should indicate that
the life of the bear had been taken.
President p. formed his men on the
east side of the hill, had commented elo-
quently upon his late experience in
Windham, and was lmpressing upon
their minds the imperative necessity of
proceeding with great caution, quiet and
still. Not loud word was to be ut
tered, except in case of imminent peril,
when, to the surprise of all, a loud
" Hoo hoo hoo hoo was heard on
the west side of the hill, some one-fourth
mile distant, and repeated until not a
doubt remained that some straggler had
suddenly come upon the bear or the bear
had suddenly come upon him, and in ell
Their case assistance should be rendered
at once. The ground to be passed over
was wood land, and the snow deep, but
the men were fresh, and twenty-five min
utes severe toll brought them to the west
brow of the hill. where they found two
valley men who informed them that they
with others had changed their arrange
ments, decided to start the bear where
they LEFT him the day previous and run
him down. They were on the hill early
and were satisfied he had returned to
the west side of the valley, but if any
one or more Of the party desired to see
real live bear track, if they would ac-
company him three-fourths of a mile,
down steep hill, through deep snow, he
would conduct them to the track. Sile
said he came there to see track; he
desired to take one home with him, and
if not too large for his pocket, two or
three. At this moment another haloo
was heard on an eminence three-fourths
of mile south, louder and still louder,
until the president declared there was
game on that hill, and the point must be
speedily reached. This task was diff
ficult one. A dense forest of low ground
interviewed the water in many places
was deep, but the men pushed forward,
and in three-fourths of an hour one af-
ter another emerged from the swamp and
made their way to the top of the hill.
Where is he ? cried the first man on the
ground, as be approached the southern
sentinel. The reply was, 81 think he
has gone south, but if any one or more
Of the party desire TO see a real live bear
track if they will accompany me two
hundred rods east, will conduct them to
a track. Sile wiped the perspiration
from his face, declared that tracks had
lost their value in his estimation, and
said he would not wade two hundred
rods through that snow to see all the
bear tracks this side of the Rocky noun
tains. The president again in very
impressive manner alluded to his Wind
ham experience, and endeavored to i'm
press upon Sile's mind the Importance of
| perseverance. AT this moment loud
haloo was distinctly heard in south
west direction, and man seen one mile
distant, waving his hand and shouting
at the top of his voice. "That tells the
story" cried the president, Forward
every man p
A deep ravine was to be passed. The
descent was accomplished without greet
difficulty but the depth of snow, steep
and dragged hill on the opposite side rem
dered its ascent extremely difficult, but
one hours exertion brought the men to
the opposite side. Sile was the foremost
man and demanded in the name of the
patriarchs the Whereabouts of the bear,
al think, said the man, che has gone
south but if either of you wish to see a
real live bear track, and will accompany
me to the foot of this ravine will con-
duct you to one" Sile sweat profusely
\ and for the first time in his life showed
temper. Look here sir, said he, "this
operation Of yours clearly indicates that
your early education was very defective
OF what nationality was your mother
Did she ever see real live bear track
and how many miles of snow did she
wade through to find it ? One more hoo
hoo out of your head and you will &c
into that ravine in much less time than
you will require to get out of it" just
then the report of gun few rods east
brought every man to the spot. Char
Low had accidentally DISCHARGED his puu