Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-11-27

infuriated beast close to my very feet,
that took instant fright and ran.
Now, if 1 was writing fiction, and
desirous of making myself out hero,
I certainly would not record this con-
fession of weakness, but I would rather
any day be branded as coward, than
be accused of misstating the true facts
of this adventure. Some one has said
that if there be two sides to a mans
character the world will accept the
worst. Of course, the worst view will
be taken of this action of mine in
showing the white feather. Every
man can see the mote in his neighbours
eye, but cannot discover the beam in
his own. Men are constantly marvel
ling at the little faults and trifling
follies of others, while their own great
errors and glaring absurdities are borne
about by themselves unheeded and
unseen. Well, the moment turned
and started for the house the bear
gave chase. When I had gone some
distance I tripped in the long, dry
grass, and nearly came to grief, but
saved myself from falling, the stumble
giving me the opportunity of looking
back, when found, in consequence of
bruin being wounded, I had gained
considerably on him. This knowledge
somehow gave me needed courage, and
I turned round determined to assert
my manhood and risk the hazard Of an
encounter. The bear was making for
me without any wavering of purpose,
and raised the rifle to my shoulder
to fire. At this moment I judged he
was about 200 feet from me, and the
thought occurred if fired and missed,
or only further wounded him, would
not have time to reload before he'was
on me, so lowered the gun to await
his nearer approach and give him q
shot at the closest possible range.
When he got within a few feet of me
he reared himself up, standing almost
erect, and belched forth a hot, sitting
breath on me that nearly stupe6ed me.
For a second was completely dazed,
but instantly recovering, had the rifle
in position, and taking quick aim at
his heart pulled the trigger, when, to
my horror, it failed to act, I forgetting
in the excitement that I had put the
hammer at half.cock sometime pre-.
viously.
Before I had time to rectify the
blunder he struck me terrible blow
on my left side, and fell partly back
ward, the rifle being forced out of my
hands some distance. Instinctively l
turned quickly face downward, and
put my right hand on my breast to
protect the wonnd, as I felt the blood
trickling down my side. I discovered
that the thick blanket I had on, as
we'll as cloth vest and overshirt and
scarlet flannel undershirt, had all been
torn, leaving the lacerated flesh bare
to the hand. I feared the smell of
blood would still further enrage the
bear, who was now nosing me and
poking me in the ribs, in an apparent
effort to turn me over.
While in this awful predicament my
mind was busy forming plans to es.
cape, if possible, from what seemed
imminent death. I had no sheath
knife on me, mine being attached to
the cartridge belt loaned the Indians.
had no idea just in what direction
the rifle was, nor could I see it in the
long grass, and dared not rise to look
around; so concluded my wisest
course was to "play 'possum," and lay
as still and breathless as a man can
when his life is at stake. Several
times the bear pushed his nose in my
ribs, and twice he clawed me. He
would sometimes leave me for short
short space, and wander, returning
again and again to give me poke and
wander around me in circle, growl-
ing angrily at intervals. He kept this
up for sometime.
When at last felt sure he had gone
considerably distance, or perhaps al
together, I rose cautiously and looking
arounds, when, to my inexpressible
satisfaction, he was nowhere to be seen.
Hurriedly getting up, I made all haste
to reach the cabin, which I did in an
almost exhausted condition, for the
strain on my nervous system had been
terrible one, and the recollection of
it as write makes me even now faint
and sick at heart. I closed the door
as entered, and spread the blankets
out on the bunk to lie down, feeling
that was about to give up'the ghost
and soon would visit "other seas and
stranger sky, and shores thst mortal
never knew" I had small table
alongside the bunk, on which was a
fiat pocketbook, wherein l kept dai-
ry of events. tore leaf from this
and wrote on it with pencil: "Am
dying. Have been killed by bear. !"
I remember being able to get my shoes
and overshirt of, and, feeling faint
ness coming on me, threw myself on
the bed, drew the blankets over me,
and swooned.
When I awoke I was conscious of
something moving around the house,
and called out in as strong a voice
as 1 could command, which I was
pained to find was scarcely audible to
myself, 80 weak and faint was I, ask
ing if any one was there, hoping the