TJtK LfCKV VIRGINIAN. 3l27 



ill rusting his lance again arid again into the body of the 

 bear, who, though grievously wounded, was still breathing. 



The chase grew full of fire and animation. Our com- 

 pany was divided into four groups, each launched in pur- 

 suit of one of the fugitive animals. We pushed them so 

 vigorously, that, despairing, undoubtedly, of climbing the 

 rocks before they were overtaken, they plunged into the 

 narrow valleys, or ravines, to which I have already 

 alluded. 



Chance ordained that the bear I was pursuing should 

 also be followed up by a young Virginian. As we entered 

 one of the mountain gorges, my companion and I found 

 ourselves isolated from the rest of our troop, who had 

 disappeared in different directions. I thought that I 

 perceived, at this very moment, an unwillingness on the 

 part of my horse to obey either spur or bit. From the 

 first appearance of the bears, he had pricked up his ears, 

 snorted, neighed, and evinced every sign of the greatest 

 terror ; at intervals, too, he suddenly swerved aside, in a 

 manner which took me by surprise, and threatened before 

 long to pitch me out of my saddle. The Virginian's 

 horse appeared to experience the same panic, but he was 

 more manageable, and his master, owing to his equestrian 

 skill, contrived to regulate his movements. 



While I was struggling with my horse, the bear had 

 gained the road, and was making for the mountain. My 

 comrade pursued him, and soon man and animal dis- 

 appeared behind a clump of tall oaks. A moment after- 

 wards I heard the Virginian's two barrels. 



Vexed at losing so admirable an opportunity of dis- 

 playing my skill, and anxious to capture the bear, I gave 



