(L 



BEAR-HUNTING EXTRAORDINARY. 2C7 



threw themselves on the half-stunned bear, to secure 

 him and take him home ; but the majority voted for 

 another hunt, so the dogs were held in and the bear 

 let loose. After a time, we all went after him again ; 

 this time the chase lasted longer, as the bear swam a 

 river, and to avoid a wetting we turned off to a bridge, 

 giving the bear a great advantage. At length, when 

 we got close to him, he took to an enormous fir-tree, 

 and we all assembled under it ; none of us knew how 

 to get him down again. We were several miles from 

 any house, and hail left the axe behind us, and he 

 seemed to set us afc defiance in his lofty position. 

 Nevertheless he did not seem quite at his ease, and 

 kept looking anxiously first on one side, and then on 

 the other, at the dogs who were jumping and barking 

 round the trunk of the tree. Tins inspired an old 

 Virginian of the party with a new idea. There were 

 several pine brandies lying about ; so, taking up 

 one of the heaviest and longest, he commenced striking 

 the tree with all hi* force. At the first blow, the bear 

 gave a start as if electrified, and at the second or third 

 he darted down like lightning among the dogs, when 

 he was soon secured and taken home. He was once 

 more allowed to run about for a couple of years, when 

 he grew very fat, and in good condition fur killing, 

 and he was slaughtered accordingly." When the story 

 was ended, we wrapped ourselves in our blankets, and 

 slept soundly, though occasionally disturbed by some 

 thirsty .souls who rose to get a drink. It was lucky 

 for those who were lying in the. outer rows that most 

 of the water seekers wore moccasins. 



We were up at daybreak, and prepared to build the 



