Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-02-21


nately perse7ered in his intention o
Occupying the bridge with his antago
Inists.
/ After placing the baron's compani
ions at posts which he considered tn,
most advantageous, the pareur rejoin
led his men, and disposing them so al
to encompass the valley facing the cas-
lcado, commanded the utmost silenc'
: to be preserved until they should heal
1.-THE first bark of his dog. At that sig
fnal the mastiffs were to be released
1.-THE instruments sounded, and all tc
move slowly forward, contracting the
lcircle at the cascade. These arrange
ments being made, the pareur and hii
Idog, followed by the mandrin alone
disappeared in the depths of the wood
For some minutes the silence had re.
mained unbroken, when suddenly a
furious barking commenced, accom-.
panied by low growing. Each pre-
pared his arms; the instruments sound
ed; and the mastiffs being let loose
precipitated themselves pell-mell in
the direction of the struggle. Their
furious barking was soon confounded
with the cries of the hunters and the
din of the instruments, mingled with
the formidable growing of the bears,
making altogether hideous concert,
which, rolling along the sides of the
valley, was repeated by the distant
echoes. At this moment the young
baron regarded his companion, whose
countenance, though pale, remained
calm and scornful.
"Attention, sir" said he in a low
voice. '.The bears are not far from
us: letyour aim be true, or else ?
'tKeep your counsels for yourself
STRIP
'Attention!" repeated Villetreton
without seeming to notice the surly
responsible approached
Those who were placed in front oH
the cascade, seeing the animals direct
ing their course to the bridge, cried
from all parts, "Look out, look out
Villetreton!'' But the breaking o1
branches, followed by the rolling Of
loosened stones down the precipice
had already given warning Of the ami
mails near approach. Malatour be-
came deadly pale; he, however, held
his carabine firmly, in the attitude Of
a fHssntaaf 4 baaf hHnteh At fshgtn appeared, Win
foaming mouth and glaring eyes, al
times turning as if he would fain strug.
gle with his pursuers; but when be
saw the bridge, his only way of escape.
OCCUPIED, he uttered a fearful growl
and raising himself on his hind legs,
was rushing on our two hunters, when
ball struck him in the forehead, and
he fell dead at their feet. -. r.
Malatour convulsively grasped his
gun-he had become completely pow
erless. Suddenly new cries, louder
and more pressing, were heard.
''Fire! fire! he is on you!" cried the
pareur, who appeared unexpectedly,
1pale and agitated, his gun to his shoul-
der, but afraid to fire, lest he should
hit his master. - --~
The latter, perceiving his agitation,
turned round; itwas indeed time. On
the other side of the bridge, bear,
much larger than the first, was in the
act of making the final rush. Spring
ing backward, he seized the carabine
Of his petrifed companion, and lodged
it's contents in the animals breast ere
he could reach them. He rolled in
| the death strugg to where they stood.
ALI this was the work of all instant.
The knees of the hardy old pareur
shook with emotion at the escape of
his young master; as for Malatour, his
lived paleness, and the conyulsive shud-
dering of his limbs, testified the state
Of his mind. ...,.s---
"Take your arms" said the young
baron, quickly replacing in his hands
the carabine; ''here are our comrades
they must not see you unarmed; and,
pareur, not word of all this
'Lookw said he to his companions
as they gathered around, pointing to
the monstrous beast --"one to each.-
Now, Monsieur de Malatour, I wait
your orders, and am ready to give the
satisfaction you require"
The latter made no reply, but reach
ed out his hand, which Villetreton
cordially shook.
That evening banquet was given
to celebrate the double victory. To-
wards the end Of the repast toast to
"the vanquishers" was proposed, and
Immediately accepted. Monsieur d'Ar-
centre, glass in hand, rose to pledge
it, when Malatour, also rising, held
his arm, exclaiming the sole van
quisher of the day!-to our noble host!
It was he alone who killed the two
bears; and if, through his generosity,
| have allowed the illusion to last so
long, it was simply for this reason: the
afront which I gave him was public
one-the reparation ought to be pub
lie likewise. I now declare that Mon
sieur de Villetreton is the bravest Of
the brave, and that I shall maintain
it towards all and against all.'
''This time, at least, I shall not take
up your gauntlet" said Monsieur d'Ar-
centre.
"There's brave young man." cried