Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-17
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January atlantic.
The Bear Hunt.
In 1929, that eccentric genius, Colonel
David Crockett, was living on the backs of
the Obion River, in tn" northwestern part
of Tennessee. A freshet had previously
swept away all his earthly possessions,
and he had come 10 this new section of the
connty with his family in order to begin
life anew. His nearest ncighbor WAS just
nigh enough for the faint crack of his rifle
to be heard as he brought down the game
that swarmrd around him.
With his malchless skill with his rife
there was little danger Of his family suf-
terIng iOr the want OF food. Whenever he
returned from his days hunt he was sure
to be loaded down with elk, deer. turkeys.
and patridges. The faces of his children
were ever shiny with the rich grease Of
his game, and the physical condition Of
himself, us well us all Of them, could not
be surpassed.
But CrockNt's great delight was to hunt
b arS He would leave any employment.
or resign any game, if he once caught
glimpse of II betr-traCk. lie would follow
the trail hour after hour, and when over
taken by night, kinde his fire, lie down
and sleep TIL daylight, when he would re-
sumo his pursuit
No mater whittier it led him-through
tangled swampS, across swollen streams,
or over wide stretches Of prairie, he would
follow with perseverance that would not
be denied, and finally capture his prey by
sheer persstency.
Colonel Crockett always had several
dogs of thc best breed and training. and
these invariably accompanied him upon
his hunts. In fact they were SO useful to
him that he found it impossible to get
along without them.
In December, 1892, Crockett found him
self reduced to the last charge Of powder
The weather was intensely cold, and he
SAW that he must procure more, to prevent
his family llom suffering for want of
food.
Ills nearest neighbor was his brother-n-
law, who lived six miles distant, on the
opposite 81 10 of II fork of the OoiUn. He
undoubtedly had IN abundance , f ammuni.
tion and Crockett determined 10 visit him
and secure IL supply.
Unfortunately there had been storm Of
several days duration. and the rivers bad
risen to an extraordinary height. Several
inches of snow lay upon the grouud, the
Lir WAS keen and cut ing, and lie had gone
but Il short distance when he caught sight
OF the river, oycrllowing It's banks to such
an extent that il spread out like an open
sea b, fore him. There was thin crust OF
ice also, broken in patches, an floating
swiftly by, and needles OF ice put out from
the slime, while the current surged so rap
Idly by that almost any man W, uld have
been atfrghled and turned back.
| But Crockett had come after ammunition.
and was determined to have it. AS he
stepped into the water and it filled his
shoes it was OF icy chillincss, but he never
hesiaIed. He wuded cautiously forward
until he reached The channel, where he
found II fallen tree, upon which he cross
ed.
This brought him TO The edge of deeL
Slough where there had formerly been /,
! log 10 cross; but this WAS now submerged
by The lresLet
Here Colonel Crockett felt was the crit
ical puInt. If he could pass tie slough
there would I've comparatively little trouble
in reaching the opposite side. In ordinary
dimes the slough was ii small island, ana
u saplng grew besides The log upon which
he wished 40 cross, and winch was sub
merged beneath the water.
lleIe was the trouble, buI the hunters
ready mind hit upon III article by which
10 overcome it. lie llrst cut II forked sap.
ling, with which lie reached across the
singing current, and fastened into the
young, swa! ing tree. With the help oi
tins he gradually worked his way forward
until by sOundlng with the pole, he lounu
the log three feet beneath hm He now
went back and got his rifle
Carefully climbing up the tree, he sue
C eded in pla ng his feet upon the sub
merged lo2, began crossing it. This was
one Uf the most difficult Of undertakings
he water beneath tho log was II dozen
feet deep, and above it the swift current
surged to his waist. The most delicate
poIse was necessary 10 keep his position on
,he log.
lie was compelled TO advance inch by
inch, not stepping, but showing his feet
along, and watching for any logs that
might come floating down stream. The
ice was yet 50 thin that it occasioncd no
annoyance.
Finally, after II long time, and after II
great deal of labor, he found himself across
and shortly reached another slough across
which Il log was floating. This was even
more dangerous than the other, us it had
no stability, aud was liable to turn with
him; but there was no retreat, IN so he
stepped upon it.
i sank down almost beneath the surface
but he moved as carefully forward as be.
fore and was about half way across, when,
as quick rs lightning, it turned with him,
and he went down with gasp rs the icy
waters closed over him. With his usual
presence of mind, he retained his hold up.
on the log, and did not allow his rifle to
20 out OF his hand,
He was yet in the midst of the stream
but he worked manfully, and at length
succeeded in reaching the land.
Here he changed his clothes, and was
obliged to run at the top of his speed TO
keep from freezing. Lale in the evening
he reached his friends, who, as may well
be supp sed, WAS astonished TO see him.
All this distance for pawder?' inquir.
ed his brother in law.
"Well, you see it is good weather for
bears, and must have hun. while it
lasts"
but should consider you in more
danger than the bears"