National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-11
A BEAR HUNT IN NORWAY.

Though have never had the fortune to see
q bear in a state of nature, have seen good
many bear-hunters. The greatest number of
these were, like myself, bear-hunters only in
name; but have come across a good many
professional bear-hunters in the course of my
rsmbles in Norway. Bears are tolersbly sbund-
ant in several parts of the country, and as the
Government gives premium for every bear
that is killed, bear-hunters are not lacking.
Many of these are really fine fellows, plucky
to degree; fellows who do not hesitate to go
and beard Bruin in his den, single-handed, If
necessary, and think nothing of the danger
they are mourning. And when it is borne in
mind that the rifles they use are manufactured
by some country smith, and are single barreled,
too, 1t stands to reason that they must run
some risk of getting an unpleasant hug now
and then. It Is true bear Is cowardly,
loutish brute, and will sneak away if he can
without facing human being; but there are
times when his monkey Is up, when he is very
awkward customer to meet with; and, for all
the wise johnson may sllege-and think he
never reckoned bear-hunting among his amuse-
ments-I should certainly prefer to meet the
biggest STOOL" that ever breathed Gin his folly"
to ga bear robbed OF her whelps," If I were
equipped like one of these Norwegian hunters
and were alone.
But It is not only the men who are the bear
heroesl What say you, reader, to q boy bear
hunter, q woman Bruin slaughtered The tale
am going to tell you happened in Namdden,
on the western coast of Norway. In this case
It was an old woman who was the heroine,
common beggar-woman. (By-the-wsy won
der why the unprotected female" in her
amusing though not very trustworthy book on
Norway, did not go bear-hunting. believe
she did don scarlet pantaloons to frighten the
wolyes.) It was Sunday afternoon, of all
days in the week. Well, as I said, It
was q Sunday afternoon, and she and
her old man were returning to their
cottage after having listened to doubtless
excellent sermon from their worthy pastor.
They were rowing In their boat across an in
land lake, on the opposite shore of which their
howell stood, and as the wind blew high and
strong, like skilful navigators they Rugged the
land as close as possible. 1t was getting dusk,
and as they rowed along-for the old woman
was, perhaps, better oar than her husband
discussing the topics of the day and wondering,
dare say, how they should get through the
winter (for, as I said, they were very poor,)
they all at once espied monstrous she-bear,
quietly sitting on the shore within few hun
dred yards Of their boat, earnestly gazing at
these intruders on her ursine peace.
think most old men and old women would
have preferred giving Madame Bear q wide
berth, and would haYe made the bsst Of their
way home, especially I they bad no other
Peat-s9Qk at theil disposal, Rns our couple
In fact, they looked upon the presence of the
bear as godsend. Could they succeed In kill
ing her, there would be an ample supply of
meat to last them all winter. Then the skin
wouli Lring at least four and half dollars,
and tie Government premium five dollars
more, In all nearly ten dollars, or about
two pounds and little over-quite q for
So, what with bears hams and dollars IN pros
peeta, 10 say nothing of an unlimited supply of
Pomstum, they made up their minds to attack,
their only fear being lest the bear should de-
cline the combat and "skedaddle." And
never giving 1t thought that the tables might
be turned on them. Still, they felt that they
had good base for retreat, II needs be, as, If
the worst came to the worst, they could lead
the bear g merry dance across the lake. So
shCy iAouc AssiO oOeouL1 aAa pushing buo wa
ashore, the old man made haste to cut good
stout stick out Of the woods. Having procured
this, they returned to the spot where they
found the bear still ar-gazing.
Whether It was that bruin was In an H.
humor or whether she thought bit OF fresh
meat would be acceptable to her, no sooner did
she see them approaching than she swan out
to NEE. them. As the old lady was the
stronger of the two she intrusted her old man
Nth tha oare while she stood m erect with
appraised club, In the PROV Of the boat. It was
q critical moment, for If she missed her aim,
and her husband were not quick enough, doubt
less the bear would board them, and make IL
exceedingly unpleasant for the company.
Nearer and nearer she came, 80 the old
fellow cunningly eased all, and held his
oars in such Q position that If need be he
could make start, just as we used to in the
college boat races, when we were waiting for
the fash Of the last gun. But the bear was
resolute, and 80 was the woman, for when u