The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-10-13

ccived us, and after having taken cup Of
hot tea we oil went TO bed again TO enjoy
some more rest, as we did not intond to
start on the hunt before ten O'Clock. At
nine o'clock we were called to a sumptuous
breakfast. The faithful Ivan gave me re-
port of the locality, where and how the
peasants had discovered the bear, what
preparations had been made and how the
bear should be driven within the shooting
circle. We then started. Our equipment
consisted Of thick but not burdensome furs,
high, ,lmpermeablc boots, heavy short double
barreled gins, revolvers and long hunting
knives. In two sleds we rapidly proceeded
on our way to the wooded hills OF tho Waldai
Mountains. After drive of about one hour
we alighted, and, lod by Ivan, climbed and
glided down deep ravine, not an easy Job,
considering our outfit. Then we marched
for about fifteen minutes along tho bottom
Of the ravine until we came on tho right to
SECOND broad defile. This was to be the
theater Of our present expedition, for In
some OF tho recesses Of this gorge the lair
Of bear had been found. Then the chain
OF hunting was formed, the respective po-
sitions being determined by lots Fate as
signed me the extreme left wing where l
stood some distance up the mountain side.
About 100 PAGES on the right stood my next
neighbor. When had settled myself In the
snow, which was not very deep, waited
for events. I had not much confidence in
the advantage Of my position for thought
II certain that the bear would make its es-
cape along the valley and not up the slopes.
After about three-quarters of an hour i
heard the first noise, and then with fre-
quent occurrences the cracking of branches,
but without seeing any thing. Nearer and
nearer came the noise Of the drivers, but no
report OF a gun was heard; nothing re.
sembling the breaking through the woods OF
a heavy animal was heard. Now the
drivers were 30 near me that fancied 1
could see them at any moment; believing,
besides, that the driving had been fruitess
l stood there lazy and detected, the gun
resting on my left arm, when suddenly,
little above me, something broke through
the bushes. What thought at that moment
do not recollect, for thought was COM
pressed into seconds, but at any rate did
not imagine that this was bear, and, as no
shot was to be fired at any other game did
not even raise my gun. The cracking came
nearer, increasing all the while in force,
and suddenly, not fifteen yards distant, a
huge brown bear emerged from the under
brush, coming down upon me in an oblique
line. Without adjusting my gun properly
(for which had not the necessary time)
fired, and with a kissing groan bruin went
down, turning somersault after somersault.
But before had time for second shot, he
was on his legs again and had disappeared
in tho direction Of the other hunters. First
my neighbor fired, and then several
other shots followed almost stimuli.
tancously. Just when had reloaded, my
neighbor fired another shot and the next
moment the bear emerged from the bushes,
coming for me second time. He was not
farther than fifteen yards. With my gun
ready stood awaiting his advance He ap-
few pacos before he discovered
me. At first he seemed surprised. Then he
reared and made ready for fight. He was
not more than eight PAGES distant and I
could see his small eyes set with blood, and
bloody saliva flowing from his jaws. His
ears were thrown back, and with his mouth
wide open he presented Q terrible aspect, but
in the presence of imminent danger, my
self-possession returned. I aimed ut the
point between his malicious eyes and fired.
Whom the smoke cleared away, bruin was
on the ground, his huge frame shaking with
movements. In little while he
was still, but waited some time with my
gun ready before / ventured to approach
him. Then 1 summoned the other hunters
TO see my prize, for mine he was, as had
fred the fatal shot.
It proved to be powerful female bear
weighing eleven pud. The heaviest ever
killed in that country weighed thirteen pud.
She had received eight balls; my first ball
had entered the flank, gone through and
and made its exit at the other flank
TO carry the bear home was task left to
the overjoyed Ivan, who praised my shot
above the eyes. No one was happier than !
on our way homeward.
To-day this she bear-stuffed under my
standing, almost exactly in the
same position as when sent that ball into
her brain, on one Of the steps of my house,
exciting the admiration of every visitor by
her huge frame, powerful steel-like claws
and terrific jaws.-St. Louis Republic.