The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-05-04

The Curious End of the Generals Ride.
Many years ago Gen. Batashef, of the
Russian army, was in his way from St.
Petersburg to his home ON the north of
Russia.
He had reached little village about
fifteen miles from his estate, and from
this place he had to depend upon private
travelling conveyance. But this did not
trouble him, as he was expected at home
and, when he arrived at the village, he
found his comfortable sledge, with three
good horses, and his own driver, Ivan,
awaiting him.
AS it was not yet noon, and the snow
on the road was hard and firm, the Cen
eral felt quite certain that his horses,
which had been in the village all night,
and were fresh and strong, could take
him home before dark.
So off they started, and for some miles
the ride was delightful. But when they
had left the village about five miles be-
hind Them their way led through for
est, and they had not gone very far
among the tall trees and the snow-cov-
cred rocks which lined each side of the
road, before one of the horses began to
show unmistakable signs of fright.
"What is the matter with him, Ivan ?"
asked the General. L see nothing to
brighten him. +"
The man answered that he saw moth
ing, either, but that he thought the horse
must smell some wild beast
"Well, push on as fast as you can, ~
said the General, who had good pair of
pistols with him, and was not particular
ly afraid of any wild beasts, although he
thought it well TO avoid them, if it could
be done.
SO Ivan drove rapidly on; but soon the
other horses became very restless, and
then they stopped short, all three OF
them.
"Why, what can have got into the
creatures 2" cried the General, rising in
his seat. "There is nothing to brighten
them here. Whip them up, Ivan Make
them go on.
So Ivan piled his stout whip upon
the horses, but tor minute or two they
would not stir. Then all of sudden
away they dasl ed, almost tumbling Ivan
off his seat. so quick and strong was their
unexpected spring
And they did not spring too soon, for
they had barely darted away before q
large bear rushed out from between two
great rocks by the roadside. He came
with such force that it was evident that
he had expected to spring upon either
the sledge or one of the horses.
Happily, neither the sledge nor the
horses were there when he bounded
into the road. But he missed
them by very little. His side al
oba1 hn 1e 1f "A
flew out from the back of the sledge.
The General turned in his seat and
drew pistol, intending to fire at the
bear. But the wild gallop of the horses
had already carried him too far for a
pistol to be OF use, and he contented
himself with watching the discounted
beast.
The impetuous rush of the bear had
carried him across the road, and for Q
moment he stopped to recover himself
Then he looked up and Immediately sci
off in pursuit of the retreating sledge.
But this was useless, for the horses
soon left him far behind. The General
still looking back, saw him leave the road
and re-enter the woods.
"A lucky escape ~ said he to Ivan
"for that was a big fellow, and L an
afraid that my pistol-balls might no
have been heavy enough for him. w,
are well clear of him. "
eff we are clear of him." said Ivan
"I don't think he will give up the chase
so easily. The road makes turn AROUND
this rocky ledge, and fear that that beal
will hurry across through the woods and
meet us again over there when we hav,
made the turn.
"Nonsense I" said the General. "H,
would not have the sense to do that"
Ivan made no answer, for he had hi
own ideas about the sense of bears blu
he urged the horses forward.
As they turned around the bend in tn,
road. the animals seemed filed witt
frenzy, and dashed madly over thu
ground
"They scent him." cried Ivan, VIII,
made no attempt to check speed, "ant
there he is y
Sure enough, on a rock, little highe
than the road. stood the bear. In al
instant they had reached him. AT TIN
pace they were going, it was impossible