The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-02-18
Seltrt Sturg.
A BIT OF BLACK BEAR SHOOTING,

ASA~A'NNA
On the nth of May, my friend N, and
were in the district of Chattisgarh, Cen
trail Provinces, on two months leave of
absence for shooting. A better country
for "big game than this there is not to
be found, believe, in the whole of India,
and had travelled far to meet NJ, with
the view of trying our luck against the
many kinds of game to be met with in
this out-of-the-way part of Hindostan.
On the morning in question we were
bent on an excursion which we had hopes
would terminate in the destruction of
bear that had some days previously
helped himself to an old native woman;
and, as no doubt he found her nicer than
any root or fruit that he had been ac-
customed to feed on, he would probably
not only continue his attentions to un-
protected females, but would bring up
any family he might happen to have to
the same fascinating pursuit, it was most
necessary to stop him at once. We
hoped, therefore, that we might be for
tunate enough to do this.
Very early in the morning we-and a
vesy hot morning it was--before any
signs Of dawn appeared in the sky, |
turned out most unwillingly, and, hav-
ing by an effort managed to swallow
plate of Scotch oatmeal judiciously
blended with milk, started for low
rocky hill near US in the caves of which
our friend was supposed to live. 1t was
necessary to get into position before day
light, as Mr.. Brun then returns from his
feeding grounds to lie up for the day So
N. and | mounted onr ponies, and get.
ting into our places in good time, waited
for daylight, with which we hoped would
arrive also the bear or bears, who inhab-
tied the rocks on which we were perched
Daylight came in due course, but the
bears did not; and the shikari informed
us that, owing to the heat, the bears most
likely at this season spent their day in
the shade Of the jungle, rather than
among the rocks, and that our best plan
was now to "honk" Ii .,e drive with
beaters) the rising ground covered with
thick jungle that joined the little hill we
were on, adding, as Mussulman almost
invariably does, "If it is Gods pleasure,
your highness will certainly see them,
and make them eat bullets,
Not to throw any chance away, how
ever, we lighted fires in the mouths of
the caves so as to smoke out any animal
that might be within, but nothing came
out: so, collecting our beaters about
rnpltacl fbaY,o rO,,p1 70
form line, under the directions of an
old gray-headed villager, while N. and |
proceeded to take up positions from
whence we could see as much open space
as possible, and where any animal that
might happen to be in the jungle would
be most likely to pass. We made our
selves comfortable too, for where would
be the good of having legion of SER
wants, as you have in India, if you did
not make use of them. | had a Char
poy," or native bed, to sit on, and a
"chargel' or leather bag, full of drink
ing water, hanging near my hand on a
branch, double T2-bore rifle loaded
with Meade's new patent spherical shells,
in my hand, and IL bore gun loaded
with ball by my side; l felt, and no
doubt looked, ready for anything. N.
took up similar position some distance
TO my right, and we waited as patiently
as we could for the commencement of
the "honk."
To me much of the charm of shooting
big game by beating or driving the jun
gle, lies in the uncertainty as to what
game may turn up-from the tiger to the
little jungle sheep, either or all are pos
sible; and before now the monarch of the
jungle has put in sudden and unwel-
come appearance, when the sportsman
has reckoned on, and only come out
armed against; the more harmless in
habitants of the forest. .l.N.
In about an hour, sound of hideous
yelling and shouting, accompanied by
tapping Of sticks against trees, reached
me from afar, and told me that the
"honk" had commenced in earnest.
What glorious moment is that, when
after waiting some time in anxinus ex-
pectation, the roar, the growl, the snort,
the cracking of a stick, or the rustling of
the bushes, tells you that Something" is
oomingl How your hands tighten on
the rife, what thrill of pleasure greets
the first view Of the unsuspecting game
that is shortly to find you ready and
waitingl Who now thinks Of the tolls
and hardships, exposure to that roasting
sun, and the risk of malignant fever,
which have at this season Of the year to
be endured, so often fruitless, before this
longed-for meeting can take place? In
days to come thisindeed memiNtsse itVa-
BIZ.
The first signs of approaching game
came to me in the unmistakable "ouf'
of a bear, much annoyed at the being
disturbed during his midday nap, and
coming away from the before the beat
ers protesting angrily against being
driven over the hot ground under blaz-
ing sun. | squared myself with the spot
where he would most likely appear, SO
as to be ready to give the animala warm