The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-18
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PURSUED BY 6RUlN.
4 sailors InglOriOns Adventure With
FerOciOus Boar.

4 sailors InglOriOns Adventure With =
FerociOus Bear.
A northern whaler was moored to
field of ice, on which, at considerable
distance, large bear was observed
prowling about for prey. One of the
ships company. emboldened by an
artificial courage derived from the
free use of his rum. which. in his
economy, he had stored for special
occasions. undertook to pursue and at.
t ok the bear that was in view.
Armed only with whale-lance, he
resolutely, and against all persuasion,
set out on his adventurous exploit.
A fatiguing journey of about half a
league over a surface of yielding snow,
brought him within few yards of the
enemy. which. to his surprise, un,
dauntedly faced him, and seemed to
invite him to the combat. His courage
being by this time greatly subdued,
partly by the evaporation of the stim-
illus he had employed, and partly by
the undismayed and even threatening
aspect of the bear, he leveled his
lance in an attitude suited either
for offensive Or defensive action
and stopped. The bear also stood
still. In vain the adventurer tried
to rally courage to make the
attack; his enemy was too formidable,
and his appearance too imposing. In
vain also he shouted, ad vanced his lance,
and made feints of attack; the enemy,
either not understanding them. or de-
spising such unmanliness, obstinately
stood his ground.
Already the limbs of the sailor be-
gan to shake, the lance trembled in the
rest, and his gaze, which had hitherto
been steadfast, began to CULVER; but
the fear of ridicule from his messmates
still had it's influence, and he yet scarce
ly dared to retreat. The bear, how
ever, possessing less reflection. or be-
ing more regardless of consequences,
began with the most audacious bold
ness to advance. His nigh approach
and mistaken step subdued the spark
of bravery and that dread of ridicule
that had hitherto upheld our adven-
turer; he turned and fed.
But now was the time of danger.
The sailors flight encouraged the bear
in his turn to pursue; and being better
practiced in snow travelling, and better
provided for it, he rapidly gained upon
the fugitive. The whale-lance, his only
defense, encumbering him in his re-
treat. he threw it down, and kept on.
This fortunately excited the BEARS at
tention; he stopped, paved it, bit it, and
then resumed the chase. Again he was
at the heels of the painting seaman, who,
conscious of the favorable effect of the
lance, dropped a mitten. The STRATA
gem succeeded, and while the bear
again stopped to examine it. the fugi-
tive, improving the interval, made
considerable progress ahead. Still the
most provoking perseverance. except
when arrested by another mitten. and
finally by hat, which he tore to
shreds between his teeth and his paws,
and would no doubt have soon made
the incautiOus adventurer his victim,
who was rapidly losing strength and
heart, but for the prompt and we'll
timed assistance of his shipmates, who,
observing that the affair had assumed
a dangerous aspect. sailed out to his
rescue. The little phalanx opened him
a passage, and then closed to receive
the bold assailant.
Though now beyond the reach of his
adversary, the dismayed fugitive con-
timed onward imnellod bv his fears
and never relaxed his exertions until
he fairly reached the shelter of the
ship! The bear once more prudently
came to a stand, and for a moment
seemed to survey his enemies with all
the consideration of an experienced
general; when, finding them too nu-
merous for reasonable hope of success,
he very wisely wheeled about, and
succeeded in making a safe and honor
able retreat. Y. Ledger.