Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1896-10-22

~5e7 down in single
combat, although it nearly cost me my
life.
This incident of itself would have
been sufficient excitement and glory
for one day, but circumstances made
ray desperate encounter with the bear
only a prelude to dangers that capped
the climax of a most eventful days ex-
perience.
Consequently this is not SO much of q
lear story as. the introduction might
suggest. 40
lived OH farm in the northern part
of Maine in that year, and spent what
time could in the woods, hunting game
and setting traps for all kinds of furry
animals. Ny experience in woodcraft
dated back several years, and, though
merely youth. 1 knew good. deal
about hunting wild game. was pas
sionately fond of the sport. and an ex-
pert with the rifle.
Bears abound in the~Alajne woods at
certain seasons of the year, but GEN
orally they are small brown and black
bears. not 1cuch larger than big dog.
I had the utmost contempt for many
Of these creatures. But one hot day,
late in the summer. l discovered one
that commanded my respect and made
me very anxious to kill him.
l was seated on fallen tree in the
thickest part of the woods, eating my
lunch and cooling my parched lips with
the water from a gurgling stream near
by. Suddenly crash among the bushes
about a dozen rods away attracted my
attention..
Looking in the direction whence the
noise proceeded. I saw an enormous
black bear standing upon his launches.
eating blacIberries. He was scooping
them in by the quart, stripping the
bushes with his huge claws, and cram
ming them into his mouth as if half
starved. AS I watched the animal Il de-
sire to bring him down took possess
sion of me. I felt sure that ] could
send a bullet through his heart from nv
position.
My rifle was loaded and stood against
e neighboring tree. took it cautious
ly, cooked it without attracting the at
tention of the bear. and aimed it ut
the creatures heart. l could hear
low growl almost simultaneously with
the report of the rifle, and then re-
allied that had invited danger.
The bear was only wounded and was
rushing toward me with the most saw
age expression upon his face that
ever saw ON any animal. l just had
time to take aim again and send another
bullet at the Infatuated beast. But
even this did not check his Roadway. lie
came staggering along with blood in
his eyes and with heavy paw appraised.
l dropped my gun and took out my
long hunting knife. 1 realized that l
had only one chance in ten, but I would
fight hard for that one chance.
Everything seemed blurred for an in
slant. saw the black body of the bear
towering over me, ready to strike me
down. In my right hand held the
knife firmly, ready to give violent
lunge at the right moment.
But the blow never fell. The bear
staggered and tottered before me, and
dropped at my feet in it's death agonies.
The two heavy bullets had performed
their mission satisfactorily.
All would have been well with me had
I been active in moving beyond the reach
OF the struggling animal, but in his vio-
lent movements Bruins heavy paws
came in contact with my left leg, and, as
if realizing that he had caught his MUIR
derer. he began to claw and tear the
skin and flesh. He lived only half min
ute after falling, but in that time he had
given me flesh wounds that would re-
member for several months. The flesh
was torn in places almost to the bone,
and the whole leg rendered almost use
less.
MY pleasure at killing the big bear was
partly cooled down by my sad plight.
was five miles from home and my jour
ney through the woods would be slow
and laboriouss The-pain soon became
excruciating, and I started up to get
home before my leg grew stiff and
cramped.
I spent about two hours in covering
o71a mile, and then seated myself on the
ground, faint and exhausted. was III