EPISODES 485 



the poor animal. As its life depended upon its courage 

 and strength, it exercised both in the most energetic man- 

 ner. Now and then it seized a dog, and killed him by a 

 single stroke. At another time, a well administered blow 

 of one of its fore-legs sent an assailant off yelping so 

 piteously that he might be looked upon as Jiors de coutbat. 

 A cur had daringly ventured to seize the Bear by the 

 snout, and was seen hanging to it, covered with blood, 

 whilst a dozen or more scrambled over its back. Now 

 and then the infuriated animal was seen to cast a re- 

 vengeful glance at some of the party, and we had already 

 determined to despatch it, when, to our astonishment, it 

 suddenly shook off all the dogs, and, before we could fire, 

 charged upon one of the negroes, who was mounted on a 

 pied horse. The Bear seized the steed with teeth and 

 claws, and clung to its breast. The terrified horse snorted 

 and plunged. The rider, an athletic young man, and a 

 capital horseman, kept his seat, although only saddled on 

 a sheep's-skin tightly girthed, and requested his master 

 not to fire at the Bear. Notwithstanding his coolness 

 and courage, our anxiety for his safety was raised to the 

 highest pitch, especially when in a moment we saw rider 

 and horse come to the ground together; but we were 

 instantly relieved on witnessing the masterly manner in 

 which Scipio despatched his adversary, by laying open 

 his skull with a single well-directed blow of his axe, 

 when a deep growl announced the death of the Bear, and 

 the valorous negro sprung to his feet unhurt. 



Day dawned, and we renewed our search. Two of the 

 remaining Bears were soon discovered, lodged in a tree 

 about a hundred yards from the spot where the last one 

 had been overpowered. On approaching them in a circle, 

 we found that they manifested no desire to come down, 

 and we resolved to try smoking. We surrounded the tree 

 with a pile of brushwood and large branches. The flames 

 ascended and caught hold of the dry bark. At length the 



