Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-06-16
A BEAR HUNT
In the Great Dismal swamp, Not Far
Distant From Suffolk.

Several years ago | was out on our
picket line on the Dismal Swamp side,
Wnen a boat came down the river lit
orally oaded with game-saddles Oh ven
lson, bear meat, possum, ducks, etc. A
lanK, swarthy-faced man, rather past
middle age, i should judge, was in
charge, and asked to be passed in with
his cargo. Wanting some game myself,
and wishing still more 10 know where
TO find 1t, | talked with him a little
while n then passed him in, sending
a man to show him to various quarters
where / knew officers would soon buy
up all his game. This mans name
was Duke; he was foreman in the
craft. When he sold out, which was
speedily, he came to me, and, in a gruff
tone, said: Colonel, I've heard you're
right smart with a rifle. There's a
powerful chance o game up my way.
Come 10 my cabin wnen the moon ful1s
and III give you a shown
at bar" That l jumped at
that invitation is to utter truth
no more. When the moon was
full | got a skiff, took two picked men
to row Or tow up the canal, just as it
best suited them, and started for
Dukes. BY the way, it is the easiest
point to reach, rail to Suffolk, and up
the canal. | should judge the distance
IS seven or eight miles to his place.
Am not certain. 1t seemed as | got
there, just before dark, had a splendid
hsh and game supper, enlivened by cof-
tee, which | took with me, looked at
his hounds, ours and bear dogs, of
which he had a yard full, and then got
ready for our night hunting in the
swamp bordering the banks of Lake
Drummond.
Duke led our four bear dogs; they
looked to me like a cross between the
bulldog and bloodhound, and we start
ed, he letting the dogs run as we were
GU Of his little clearing. In ten min
utes they were yelping like mad"
They've struck BARI was Dukes
quiet answer to my look of inquiry.
We pushed on through the wierd and
tangled forest of cypress, gum, water
oak, and | know not what else, the
bright, full moon casting the fantastic
tlickers of light among the dense and
varied shadows. Rapidly we neared
the spot where the dogs kept UP their
wild chorus. Soon, in a little open, we
came to a.thick, bushy persimmon tree,
around the bast of which the dogs sat
on their launches barking their level
best. They were silent at a word, as
Duke and myself walked up. You
wanted bar, Colonel; there's a sprinkle
for you," said Duke quietly. An old
lady and two cubs nigh full grown."
So it was-three bears on one tree;
better luck than / ever had before. The
tree was low; l carried two army Colts
in my belt, and a Sharp carbine in my
hand. Il think I'll take a contract
for all that meat, Mr.. Duke" said I, and
/ pulled for the head of the old bear
an inch or two under the ear.
In a second she was tumbled down
among the dogs, and too badly stunned
to do any damage. Dukes knife let
the blood from her neck, and then with
my revolver, l went for the cubs. One
fell at the first shot, giving the dogs
more fun, for it was a body shot; but
he was soon still, and then, with two
shots, one through the kidneys and the
other a neck shot, cutting the ~iugular,
] let down No. 3, timber when he
struck the ground. The whole work
probably took from three to five min
utes. 1t looked too much like slaugh-
Ter, out pear meat was d luxury IN
camp, and l had come for meat as we'll
as sport. l will not tire the reader
with repetitions, for the whole night
was spent out, and in the morning Duke
sent in two men with mine to bring
out the large game. The small game we
packed in ourselves. Seven bears, four
raecoons, two wild turkeys and one
fat possum. was the result of one
nights sport in the Dismal Swamp.
Who could ask better?
NED BUNTLINE.
How : Quail Saved a Mans Life.
"Old Uncle John Smith. who was one