Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-06-30
THE CURIOUS END OF THE GENER.
AIS RIDE.


Many years ago Gen. Batashef, of th
Russian army, was OH his way from st
Petersburg TO his home ON the north o
Russia.
He hail 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 ut the village. ne
found his comfortable sledge, with three
good horses, and his own driver, Ivan
awaiting him.
As it was not yet noon, and the snow
OH the road was hard and firm, the Gen
eral felt gu ite certain that his horses
which hal been in the village all night
and We're fresh and strong, could take
him home before dark.
So OIL they started, and for Some miles
the ride was delightful. But when they
had lett the village about five miles be-
hind them. their way led through Il for
est, and they had not gone very tai
among the tall trers and the SHOW cover
eel rocks which lined each side OF the
road, before one of the hurses began tO
Show uIinistakable signs OF fright.
What iS5 he matter with him. Ivan =
asked the General. Il 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.
~ eli. push OH us fast as yOu can.
said the General, who had Il good pair OF
pistols with him, and WAS not particular
Is afraid of any will beasts. although lie
thought il well to avoid them if il could
be done.
So Ivan drove rapidly on; but soon the
other horses brclme very restless, ami
then they stopped short. All three OF
them.
"Wby, what can have got i'm to the
creatures p cried the General, rising la
his scat. There is nothing to brighten
them here. Whip them up, Ivan! Make
them 90 OH.
So ivan piled his stout whip upon--..,v
horses, but for minute or two they
would hot stir. Then all of sudden
away they dashed. almost tumbling Ivan
of his seat. 20 quick and strong WAS their
unexpected >iiiiS
And l,.ey dli not spring too SOON. for
they lad barely dared away before a
large bear rushed out from between
two great rocks by the roadside. lie came
with SUCH force that it was evident that
Le had expected TO spring upon either
the sledge or one vi the horses.
Happily. neither The >ledge nor the
horses were there when he bounded into
the rad. But ne missed them by very
lrtlc. His sit!e almost touched the ends
of the furs that flew out from the back
of the sledge.
The General turned I'm his Seat and
drew pistol intending to fire at the
bear. ;;ut the wild gallop of the horses
had alread carried him too far tor pistol
to be of use, and he cOntented himself
with watching the discounted bear.
The impetuOus rush of the bear had
carried him across the road, and for u
moment he stopped to recover himself.
Then he looked up and Immediately set
off in pursuit OF the retreating sledge.
But this was useless, for the horses
soon lett him far behind. The General,
still. looking back, saw him leave the road
and re-enter the woods.
"A lucky escaped" said he to Ivan
''for that was big fellow, and am
afraid that my pistOl-balls might not
haYe been heavy enough for him. We
are well clear of him."
IF we are clear OF him." said Ivan. 81
don't think he will give up the chase so
easily. The road makes u turn around
this rocky ledge, and fear that the bear
will hurry across through the woods and
meet us again over there when we have
made the turn"
"Nonsen Sc ~ said the General. "He
would not have the sense to do that"
Ivan made no answer, for he had his
own Ideas about the sense OF bears; but
he urged the horses forward.
AS they turned around the bend in the
ROAD. the animals seemed filled with
frenzy, and dashed madly over the
ground.
''rhey scent him." cried Ivan, who
madd no attempt to check their speed
land there he Is . aI
:, Sure enough, on rock, little higher
tnan the road, stood the bear. In an in
slant they had reached him. AT the pace
they we're going, it was impossible 10
stop; Tut as the horses flew past the rock,
they sverved to the opposite side OF the
narrow rOad. Yet they could not escape
the hungry beast. As they reached him,
ne sprans and although he missed the
horses, ne caught the sledge. With his
great tore-paws, and his head an shout
ers inside the sledge, he endeavored TO
draw up his hind legs-a difficult matter,
&I-r.
az Tue [ate the horses were going.
Inc ueaeral, who was sitting on the
opposite Side from that to which the
Dear was clinnging, clapped his pistol TO
ger.
Cnck Ii missed fire. At this. poor
ivan, who, with a horror-stricken ex-
preston, was looking back at the bear,
. .hae W. down The reins and sprang from
hind legs, and at the same moment the
General drew up both of his legs. and
rolleu, sideways, out on the snow. He
saw w, tnaI IL was time to get out.
The bear now drew himself entirely in
to the sledge, and looked about him. The
horses galloped more wildly than ever
If such a thing were possible-and the
rapid motion seemed to please the shao-
Ky brute. He sat down in the bottom Of
the sledge and looked at the horses as i'll
wondering which one he should spring |
upon first.
While he was thinking about the mat
Yer. they reached the point where the
ROAD left the woods and led out into the
open country. The way now, for some
n 4 n,