THE BIG BEAR OF ARKANSAS. 87 



and a horse, that were used to overhauling every thing 

 they started after iu no time, was past my understand- 

 ing. Well, stranger, that bear finally got so sassy, 

 that he used to help himself to a hog oflf my premises 

 whenever he wanted one ; the buzzards followed after 

 what he left, and so, between hon,- ,rt,,j huzzard^ I rather 

 think I got out of pork. 



" Well, missing that b^ar so often took hold of my 

 vitals, and I wasted away. The thing had been carried 

 too far, and it reduced me in flesh faster than an ager. 

 I would sec that bear in every thing I did : he hitnted 

 me^ and that, too, like a devil, which I began to think 

 he was. 



" While in this shaky fix, I made preparations to give 

 him a last brush, and be done with it. Having com- 

 pleted every thing to my satisfaction, I started at sun- 

 rise, and to my great joy, I discovered from the way the 

 dogs run, that they were near him. Finding his trail 

 was nothing, for that had become as plain to the pack 

 as a turnpike road. 



" On we went, and coming to an open country, what 

 should I see but the bear very leisurely ascending a 

 hill, and the dogs close at his heels, either a match for 

 him this time in speed, or else he did not care to get 

 out of their way — I don't know which. But wasn't he 

 a beauty, though ! I loved him like a brother. 



" On he went, until he came to a tree, the limbs of 

 which formed a crotch about six feet from the ground. 



