BEAR-HUNTING WITH DOGS. 193 



P. pointed out a large cypress close to the bank of the 

 river, assuring me that the bear was there. The tree 

 may have been about four feet in diameter, and there 

 were very distinct traces of a bear's claws in the bark. 

 P. had intended to smoke out the sleeper; but that 

 would have required much time, and as we were now 

 two, and the tree was quite hollow at the base, we 

 resolved to cut it down with our tomahawks. Securing 

 the horse at a safe distance, we set to work, and the 

 forest soon resounded with the strokes of our small axes. 

 About two o'clock we paused to take a little refresh- 

 ment ; the dogs, meantime, tired of waiting, amused 

 themselves in chasing rabbits and raccoons. 



"We had hardly recommenced our work, when P. 

 cried, " Look out ! the bear ! " At the first word I had 

 seized my rifle. The bear was down the tree like a 

 flash of lightning ; to fire, drop the gun, out knife, and 

 at him, was the work of an instant for each of us ; but 

 he slipped off like an eel from between us, and our 

 knives had nearly found a different sheath ; so exactly 

 had our shots fallen together, that neither knew the 

 other had fired. 



The bear, so discourteously roused from his winter 

 sleep, could not at first make out the reason. But the 

 approach of the dogs, attracted by the shots, soon 

 caused him to take to flight. P., rifle in hand, threw 

 himself on his horse, and galloped after them, I follow- 

 ing, with my drawn knife, as fast as my legs would cur- 

 ry me. The bear, severely wounded, did not run far, 

 and finding the dogs gaining on him, he took to a tree. 

 P. sprang off his horse and loaded, and I came up just 

 17 



