The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-04-16
en- revolutions before he could stop him.

zen revolutions before he could stop him
SELF
"As for me, was so convulsed with
laughter that was in imminent danger of
attracting the attention of the bear to N.Y.
self, and thus being made the object of his
fury.
"At last, however, the fun stopped, for
the snake happening to put its head into
the bears mouth, it was closed in an in
slant, and when it opened again its head
was crushed aud bleeding mass. The
muscles of the snake relaxed and it fell to
the ground, and III few minutes dead
er snake you never saw.
mo sooner had it fallen to the ground,
than, taking aim directly at the head of
the bear, pulled the trigger. Bya move.
ment which he made ut the moment of fir
ing, missed the spot at which l aimed,
the bullet striking him in the feshy part
of the shoulder, which only served to en-
rage him, and seeing me he instantly start
ed in pursuit
81 followed his example and instantly
started in pursuit of the nearest tree. The
bear rapidly gained on me, and at every
step fancied could feel his sharp claws
grasping my body, and l, not daring to
look back, ran with the strength of des-
peration. But fate seemed to be against
me. The bear was almost on Inc and the
nearest tree was yet long ways off l had
given myself up as lost when an idea came
into my head which I resolved to act upon.
| had on large blanket which had an
opening in the centre for the head to pass
through. Hastily jerking this off and let
ting him approach within a few feet of
me, suddenly threw it over him, letting
his head pass through the hole in the cen
tire, the ends of it falling down under his
feet.
"In his hurry to get to me he trod on
the edge of it, which caused him to per-
form a-half dozen somerscts, while l, hav-
ing lost my rifle in the flight, and again
concluding that discretion was the better
part of valor,' started for the tree.
Pauslng moment to watch the proceed
ings that were transporting in the rear, saw
sight which, in spite of my precarious
situation, instantly convulsed me with
laughter The bear was trying to free him
self from the blanket, but the more he tried
to effect this, the more he became cntangled
In it. One moment he was on his feet at
tempting to give chase to me, and the next
he would be rolling over the ground in ut
ter helplessness; at each successive attempt
to run after me, he would trip himself up,
and over he would go, furiously tearing at
the blanket.
However, he at last succeeded in get
ting rid of it, and again he commenced his
pursuit. reached the tree, however, be-
fore he did, and was safely perched in the
top when he got to the root. Being I'M
skilled in bear-fghting, did not dream
that they could climb, aud imagined that
was out of danger; but was mistaken,
tor with speed that astonished me, he
began the ascent of the tree. Here were
two new dangers. The tree which l was
inl was standing on the very verge of a
precipice, along the sides and bottom of
which were sharp, iutting rocks, rendering
death certain should any one fall on them.
Fearing to 60 up any higher lest our COM
bined weight, should he follow me, would
be too much for the slender top to bear
and also fearing to stay where was, l re-
solved to make another desperate effort to
save myself
"Standing by the tree which l was in,
with its branches extending to within a
few feet of where sat, was q large oak.
But the limbs were very small, and if /
could succeed in leaping across to them,
it was doubtful whether they would bear
my weight; but as could 60 neither up
nor down, concluded it would be death
any how to remain where I was, and
made the leap.
"Fortunately, l alighted safe on the other
tree, and turning to look at my antago-
mist, saw that he was preparing to fol-
low. did not experience any feelings of
fear as watched him making ready to
leap across. for knew the small limbs
would not bear his ponderous body. For
an instant he paused, seeming to realize
his danger; then suddenly Strengthening
up, and posing himself, he sprang from
the tree.
"Thc result was as l had anticipated.
The limbs gave way, and after struggling
for moment to regain his hold, he was
precipitated to the rocks below, falling
violently against the crags which studded
the sides of the precipice, being literally
dashed to pieces. l involuntarily shudder-
ed as l thought of the narrow escape that
had made, Had missed my hold when
Jumped across, or had the limbs broken
| would have shared the fate of the bear.
AS it was, however, descended the tree in
safety, and searching for my rifle and blan-
ket-the last Of which l found in shreds
l returned to my friends, to whom I
| ..1.k. Il IL. l.