The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-08
BRAVERY IN A BEAR HUNT
Phases of Heroism as Exemplified by Two
Boston Men and Some Others.

Boston men ana SOIne otneTh.
AURORA, Me, Oct GA yearlng bear from
Chicks Hill and two gorgeously equipped hunters
from Boston met in yellow birch thicket on the
banks of Union River early this week. The meet
ing was not sought by either side II one Of
those informal events that take place at nfrequent
intery ais in the heart OF the Maine forests sylvan
social function where every body acts he desires,
and such frivolous things as culture clothing and
cash are ignored completely. Had the two Boston
sports been at home they would have enjoyed the
meeting moro than they did in Maine because
they had never been introduced to the
bear and hardly knew how To begin CONVEX
sation when he climbed TO the forks Of a
yellow birch tree in which they had taken
over the events OF his past life. As the bear
made no ante -mortem statement beyond a few
Erunts of defiance his opinion OF the from
Boston is not known.
The Boston men were out for partridges they
had carried an ar email of firearms and cartridges
from Great Pond. and though the day cool and
windy, they were badly blown when they came 10
the steep banks OF UnionRiv few rods above the
falls Under these conditions il was the most
natural thing in the world for them TO sit down
with their backs against a great yellow birch.
After few minutes OF conversation a flock OF
partrdges flew up from some fallen leaves but ten
rods away
See there" cried the tall hunter. What do
you think Of that
IL fancy it is a Newfoundland dog come up to
help us hunt Let's take him along" replied his
companion
Dog! Who said anything about dog? re-
ferred to the cartridges that have Just departed 10
unexplored region
1T was I--myself-I-the ego OF my ownself
that spoke about the dog" said the short man
-,,l har. ha ri-ht
ITS bear! horrid big bear yelled the tall
wo%d shock Rosn he S up @ aus
il you don't want To get eat up"
They left their guns on the ground and scrambled
up the rough trunk, never stopping until they
had reached high limbs on opposite sides Of the
tree The bear, followed by a pack Of .yelping
The nearest cur: Ihe mon in the tree saw ths
talked contemptuously about the cowardly con
i wish / was dog for Just few MINUTES ,tG,"
How unfortunate it is that you are not dog"
said his companion. mockingly. Still, II you
cant DO a dog, why not try and be a man? II
81 get down and hEH the bear
NY guns loaded with No. 7 shot. Get down
But I'm not brave Ifmy memory is accurate
a bear u could, was the annoying reply. come
u think OF II you have a revolver on your hip.
Why don't you Use it,"
IN lend i 10 you, gledy" replied the other.
"Oh, but I'm not brave"
As they argued thus bear and dogs were draw
ing nearer, and after a sharp Hght among the
bear pulled himself into the forks OF the tree, In
which the hunters had sought safety. After this
he sat down and devoted himself 70 cutting the
dogs that leaped 10 bite him There was no
hunters too scared to speak chung to the top limbs
for their lives, muttering low prayers and loud
curses as the sentiment of the moment prompted
while the hear, with his back protected by big
unconscious of the timid hearts that palpitated
twenty feet above his head: The freed hunters
growing weak very fast and were about
to drop off and trust their lives 10 the swollen
stream when they heard voices on the ground
below.
which shall l shoot," asked an old man who
carried long muzzle-loading rife
Il reckon II doesn't make much odds" replied
the other, who WAS a younger man: lit is a fool
bear that will take TO a tree when he can SWIM
| at yearling cub Which will fetch the most in
| the market"
The bar. Of course"
Then blaze away"
| of among the underbrush a fat young bear tum
| bled from the Tree and lay kicking upon tho
| dead leaves.
! You have saved our lives cried the men from
Boston as they ssssPed ,hsi, ,ssf cue ~ the
| Of Thanksgiving. How shall We reward you?
Name your price. .
| Saved nothing" replied Jack fitzpatrick, tho
| hermit bearhunter Of Chicks Hill, "Ef you
hadn't been too darn scarf TO fire charge Of bird
| ling cub in Hancock county. We've bin chasin'
| him since daylight"