The Portland daily press., 1881-12-30
BEARS.
A Lively Struggle in North Conway.


Rev. Payson Eastman of North Conway
youches for the truth of the following bear
story:
Last Monday, two young men named
Clarence and William Eastman of Kearsage
village, North Conway, started out into the
woods on a bear hunt. About noon they came
across the tracks of two bears, near logging
road. The boys followed the trail eagerly, un-
til they found that the bears had gone into q
cave some distance from the road. They
cautiously peered in and in the uncertain
light saw both animals engaged in gnawing
what appeared to be the carcass of some wild
beast. The young hunterswere greatly ex-
cited, of course, but they did not lose their
GOODNESS. After whispered consultation,
which was carried on without disturbing the
bears, SO intent were they upon their meal,
the boys selected their marks and fred. Both
bullets took effect, as was evident from the
fueious uproar inside the cave. When the
smoke lifted the wounded bears rushed out of
their retreat, bringing the young hunters to
close quarters The age of the animals was
probably about year, and they weighed up
ward of one hundred and fifty pounds each
Noting the size of the game, and realizing that
they must defend themselves from the coming
attack, the boys threw away their guns and
prepared to fight, mount him, Will, +" shouted
Clarence, and at the next moment each sprang
directly on the backs of the growing brutes.
Then began lively struggle Tor the mastery.
The boys weighed about as much as the bears
and the contest was not SO unequal as might
appear Each hunter graSped the long hair
near the ears and dug his heels into the flank
of his antagonist.
Clarence was on steep pitch when the
struggle commenced, and, after few minutes
of hard work. was thrown from his seat; but
in falling he upset the bear and both rolled to
the foot Of the incline where the boy came out
on top. The bear, caught in hollow place In
the ground, was considerably cramped, and
Clarence was able to get his knife out OF his
pocket and open it, With that he dealt the
bear heavy blow in the neck, which let out
his life blood in torrents. Then the victorious
Clarence turned his attention to the aid OF his
comrade.
William had not succeeded SO well and was
by this time in an embarrassing position.
When he closed with the bear, the latter made
for fallen tree which lay several inches from
the ground. Bruin tried to crawl under the
tree, but there was not room enough to pull
his rider through. The bear could not adj
vance and William could not pull him out.
There they hung. the bear struggling to get
through, and the boy craned over the log, his
arms cramped and his strength fast failing
him. just then Clarence rushed up to his
assistance. This startled bruin, who backed
out of his uncomfortable position, and partial
ly freed himself from his tormentor's hold.
Then the brute "got in a side winder." for
drawing back his paw, he whacked William
on the head, tearing the flesh and leaving the
| mark of his claws across the boys face. Will
liam was thrown down and the bear was free.
Before either of the hunters could load his
gun, brun took "leg bail" and escaped into the
woods The boys dressed the other one and
carried it home. The carcass weighed some
over so pounds. The affair created consider
able interest in the neighborhood and the
brave boys have been the heroes of the village
ever since.