STORY OF A BEAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2008, 18 August 1892, Page 43

STORY OF A BEAR.

By MuniiAY Aston.

The hunting party were not long in arriving at what was known as the bear country, and the Duke was glad to hand over the rebellious littlo Growl to the care of hi 3 two attendants. Arming himself with a double-barrelled rifle his Highness strode on in pursuit of sport. The baying of the hounds, the sylvan scenery, the bright sunshine, and the auturrnal tints all combined to make a lovely picture, which with tho indescribable charm attending the chase caused his Highness the liveliest sentiments of satisfaction, and went far to convince him that life was thoroughly woith living.

Growl aho participated in the happiness of the hour in his own peculiar way. Struggling for liberty he gave his keepers plenty to do to prevent his escape, and the obain and gold collar stood on this occasion a strain which they had never before experienced. He began as they went on to recognise variou* landmarks of his former forest home, and his heart was ready to burst with a longing sort of joyful anticipation that he was to shortly see his father, Bruin. At last the sight of the very tree in which he formerly lived was too much for him ; and, notwithstanding the efforts of the servants, who wished to obey their orders and keep near the Duke, the obstinate cub succeeded in twisting his chaiu round a sapling which chanced to be in the way and caused a delay in their onward movement which had nearly proved fatal to his Highness.

It appears the duke was pushing forward,, rifle in hand, with all his attention concentrated o.i the movements of a favourite hound which suddenly came to a standstill, and his Highness also stopped near the base of one of the forest giant trees for which Oulenberg was so justly famous. In the upper branches of this very tree there lay concealed lbs big bear Bruin, and all the fury of which his savage nature was capable came into play as he recognised the form of his old jeueniy who had stolen his cub. Quickly and noiselessly descending to the ground, it was the work of but a few seconds to approach the Duke, who, unconscious of danger, was calmly watching the movements of his faithful dog. As the bear seized him from behind in a mighty hug, his intended victim had only time to give a shout of terror and warning to his companions, and was rapidly being squeezed to death, when Growl, looking up, had taken in the v/hole position at a glance. Uttering a warning cry to Bruin, which combined with the danger of their master caused the men to drop the chain, the brave little bear was enabled to hasten forward to the assistance o£ his friend and benefactor. Bruin, immediately on hearing Growl's voice, had relinquished his hold and hastened to meet his lost cub. Their meeting was truly affecting, and his Highness himself, who had escaped serious injury, soon forgot his danger, and joined in the spirit of the thing. His first act upon regaining bis breath was to order that Growl's chain should be removed, tbat no longer he might be considered under restraint. Henceforth he was to be free to come or go as he pleased, and in pursuance of this permission, Growl forthwith, accompanied by his newly-found and happy parent, proceeded to mount the nearest tree, in the massive foliage of wjaich they were soon lost to view.

The Duke, who was naturally somewhat upset at his rough treatment, called a halt ; and, surroucded by his sympathetic retainers and friends, reclined on the grassy sward for a few minutes. Having recovered his equilibrium he was about to proceed on his way, when suddenly there was a commotion and Growl, cloßely folJowed by Bruin, was seen to be coming down from their tree. Having alighted on terra fir ma, they at once made their way to his Serene Highness, and by every means in their power sought to show their devotion. Growl was particularly demonstrative as usual, and danced round his master with great zest, while Bruin, if more staid, v»as very emphatic, and growled so loudly what he intended to be protestations of love and devotion as to cause some of those present to seize their guns in evident anticipation of a new attack.

The hounds, too, were quite in the dark as to the meaning of this new addition to their family of bear**, and considerable difficulty was found in restraining them from an attack oc their natural enemy. As for the Duke, he was deeply touched at the submission of his fierce antagonist and was more than ever delighted with the valuable service of the funny li'.tle cub, and in return forhaviDg saved his life on two occasions he ordered that he fchould bo at liberty to come and go in any part of the dukedom without let or hindrance.

The bears, however, evidently loth intended to tako service with his Highnesp, as upon a fresh start being made, they, bear and cub, refused to remain away. Upon this being discovered, the Duke forthwith gave orders that 1000 acres of the forest should be enclosed as a bear park, and that any person or persons attempting to injure one of these animals, except in self-defence, should incur very heavy penalties Hia Highness, too, registered a vow that never again would he raise a weapon against any of the bear tribe in the pursuit of sport. There were abundance of pheasants, however, to be had by those who could shoot straight enough ; and the Duke having been furnished with his shot gun, the attendants spread themselves out as beaters, and the sport, this time against members of the feathered tribe, recommenced.

Brain and Growl suddenly appeared to remember something, and both hurriedly began mounting their tree, in the hollow trunk of which their nice warm nest, well lined with dry leaves and moss, was situated, Ilia Highness wondered at tbeir again leaving, and a paag of something like grief not unmingled with regret, flashed through his mind, but; 16 was only for a moment. Still it caused him to ponder, and he stood for a minute or two. The pheasants banished altogether from his thought 1 ?. Reflecting Intently on the stirring events of the past few days, natotftlly his attempted assassination came back to him, and for tbe first time his narrow eeotfpe caused an involuntary shudder, Hia fresh danger from Bruin bad certainly made hip more thoughtful, Little, bowever, dia he dream of tho new petit that Vf&B eMiug tmrifa UUkm k and great, tfurg.

fore, was his surprise and horror upon hearing a terrible cry of anguish and despair, evidently (rom human lips, which appeared to proceed from only a few yards behind where he stood. Turning quickly, he was astonished to see a man stretched at full length on the ground with Bruin on top hugging and squeezing him with all the force of which he was capable, while Growl, the usually so peaceful and happy cub, sat by on hie haunches, evidently regaiding tho tragic scene with grim satisfaction. Regardless of danger, his Highness rushed forward to the rescue. A rapid glace at the sufferer's face, however, made him recoil in horrified surprise. The victim was the anarchist who had previously attempted the life of the Duke. Evidently he had followed the hnnting party with the same fell purpose on that bright autumn day. He had been recognised by Growl, who had, however, wisely left his execution to the more powerful Bruin, and dreadful was his punishment, although not more than his crime merited. He was crushed to death in the powerful grasp of the mighty bear.

The Duke of Oulenburg forthwith winded hi 3 horn, which soon summoned the members of his party together, and having received the congratulations of his friends for this new escape, the body of the traitor was placed on a litter and a return home was made.

Bruin and Growl accompanied the Duke to Oulenbu'-g, and for several weeks remained in thp palaco as most favoured guest 3. But the confinement was prejudicial to the health of both bears, and Bruin having been, like Growl, duly invested with a golden collar, the two were allowed to return to their own country, where, protected from all enemies by special enactment, they were also granted a weekly allowance of honey, nuts, buns, and other food dear to the heart of bears, and under the wiee rulership of Bruin and Growl the whole of their kindred in (hat country grew and flourished in a highly satisfactory manner.