Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 April 1880 — Saved by a Bear. [ARTICLE]

Saved by a Bear.

A Kentucky hunter, named Downing, was once saved from an Indian’s attack by a bear. He and his friend Yates, while hunting for a stray horse, were surprised by the Indians. Downing, having fired and missed, ran for his life, follow’ed by his companion. In leaping a deep gully, Yates cleared it; but Downing, striking his breast against the opposite brink, fell to the bottom. The Indians crossed, and, without appearing to notice him, continued their pursuit. Recovering his strength, Downing walked slowly along the gully, until it became too shallow to conceal him Just then and there he saw one of the Indians, and the Indian saw him. As the hunter had neglected to reload his rifle, he threw it away and took to his legs. The Indian pursued and gained on him rapidly. The flight led to a large fallen tree which, roots and all, laid stretched across the path. Downing took one side of the tree and the Indian the other. Just as

the savage arrived at the roots he encountered a she-bear suckling her cubs. She sprang upon him. The Indian yelled and stabbed with his knife; the bear growled and hugged. Downing, not waiting to see which would beat in that bear-fight, though his sympathies were with the bear, ran off as fast as his weary legs could carry him. He reached the fort in safety, and found Yates reposing after his hot flight. The next morning a party went out, but no trace of bear or Indian could be discovered.