The Weekly Tallahasseean., 1901-10-18

on one nmD ana ner IrOnL paws ToSt-
ing on another, surveying the situa-
tiOn.
Taking deliberate aim the hunter
fired, and the bear came tumbling to
the groun~ -e then turned his at
tentiOn to the cub but after short
chase the young one escaped. Barber
soon returned to the place where he
lad bagged his trst bear. and proudly
surveyed the shaggy carcass. The an
imal weighed ABOUT 300 pounds.
Like Hercules of old who slew ~--e
fierce Namaean lion in his den be-
tween Argos and COrinth, and plac-
ing the carcass on his shoulders,
resumea his journey, the young hunter
shOuldered bTuin and Tetraced his |
steps to where l.e --ad left hls cOmpan-
ions.
On another occasion, while out hunt |
ing nogs. young Barber met with one
of the most thr...lng adventures of his |
life. He was proceeding leisurely |
along. when he saw a razOr-back
swamp angel running as if the old boy
was after him. And sure enough, he
was, for n few yards behinL monster
back bear came tearing along.
"R. .ght here, said Mr.. Barber, IN re-
counting the incident, Il want to cor
rect an impression that seems to have
prevailed for years. You frequently
read Oh me bears deadly hug. But my
experience is that he don't hug. When
he gets into close quarters he rears on
his hind feet and makes a grab for his
victim. which he gnawS to death.
\. hen Barber first saw the race he
stopped still in is tracks. He was IN
a predicament which caused cold shlV-
ers to chase each other up and uOwn
| his spinal cOlumn. The frightened
porker was making a bee-line in his
direction. The hog passed like a
whirlwind, the bear numbering on be-
hinu, but gaining rapidly. The race
would have been pretty one, but for
the danger that soon menaced him.
When bruin went by --e spied Barber
and stopped.
BY gosh, 1 knOWeU that meant fight,
and you bet l wasn't anxious for it.
always hau a delicacy about having
personal encounter with a bear, and
didn't think it wOulu be treating the
critter right to get into close quarters.
Besides. | hadn', lost any bears. 1t
was logs | was after. If you or anyone
else should suddenly come face to face
with a full grown bear that means
fight, it won't take you long to be
convinced that 1t is not healthy to get
in caressing distance, or tamper with
the critter. Not having shooting
iron. mad no desire to have a hand 20
nanu Scrlmmage."
Barber began backing OF, the bear
following Watching his chance, the
/, hunter whirled and darted through the
woods, determined to give the savage
: brute a good race He could hear the
I bear growing a few feet in his rear as
ne tore through the underbrush. Pres
emily the pursued fell the hot breath
! of, his pursuer. and expected every mo-
: ment to feel his claws. He kept SHARP
lookout for some Kind of weapon, anC
; just as ruin reared to graz him, saw
a club a little to one Slue, which ht
instantly larted for.
The bear, of course, passed him, bu
stopped almost instantly. He whirlet
around to make a cnarge. Again ht
reareL, his eyes glaring ferOciOusly
| huS" IL WIS W DC q lllC CI11N
ueath struggle. 1t is needless to sa!
that MS hair stood on end, and that h
felt the gravity of the situaI-On.
AS the animal started to close in
Barber struck him tremendous blow
on the side of .--e head. Bruin wa
knocked down, but the club was ais
broken, making the situation extreme
ly hazardous. Seeing nothing hand,
with which to defend himSeI- from g.
now thoroughly enraged bear, tn
! hunter look to his heels. He literall
"burne,. the wind" Paris in his rae
with Atalanta was forced to thrON
u golden apples III the path to lure tn
maiden so that lie could win the race
Barber could resort to no such ruse
ear, however, lent wings to his fee
anu lie fairly flew. But the bear wa
bent on revenge, and with a saVag
grOwl started in pursuit.
The race was fast and furious, an
Barber was beginning to get winde
when he saw a lightwOOd limb jus
ahead, which he seized. Whirling raj
idly he struck the animal a ViciOu
blow across the nose, which caused til
blood to fly ana brought him to tn
- ground. He quickly recovered, how
ever, when a fierce life and deaf
struggle ensued. BARRIERS clothes wei
almost torn from his body, and he wa
covered with blood from head to foo
The bear tried to close in, but receive
II another blow on Lne side OF the nea
that knocked him silly. 1t was to
II much for him, and he turned tail
fly.
When | saw that he was whipped
determined to kill him." said Barbe
My anger was completely arouse
but no matter how l ran the critic
gained and l was afraid he would g
away"
Just at this juncture a farmer nan
ed Crews rode up and Barber aske
him for his horse to puruse Inc bea
IL Crews tried to dissuade him, which
angered the hunter that he jerked hi
from the horse and gave him a seve
thrashing, after which he haSti
mounted and went in pursuit of II
bear.
The animal was badly whipped, al
intent only on getting away. Barb
easily gained, however, and when
. caught up with the animal leaped
the ground. The fight that fOllOwt
was to the finish. After being brOugl
to bay, bruin, who was game, evident
determined to sell his life as dearly
possible. He whirled on his tOrmen