48 WILD SPOKTS IN THE SOUTH. 



in the better position of the two. The Doctor with his axe 

 presented, and the bear rampant, with his fore paws just 

 touching the toes of his hind ones as they projected up in 

 front of him, resembled much some old coat of arms I 

 had seen, only the Doctor's position was somewliat new 

 in heraldry. 



" Hurrah !" I yelled ; " have at him!" 



" Eh — eh," said the Doctor, all out of breath, " shoot 

 him — eh — eh — quick — eh !" 



I levelled my gun, and the bear's quick eye glanced 

 at me fiercely over the barrel. I pulled the trigger, and 

 a dull snap fo^owed ; the bear shook his head. Another 

 snap, and another — my gun w^as wet Avith the dew. 



The bear thus insulted gave a low growl, and a quick 

 toss to his sharj) nose. The dogs, construing this a chal- 

 lenge, and emboldened by our presence, rushed forward, 

 and the huge brute, with a skill that was incomprehen- 

 sible, would box them ofi* with his fore-paws. One would 

 be sent with a slap a dozen paces in the air ; another Avould 

 get a long cut from the bear's sharp claws, as he sat up 

 like a boxer knocking over children with a mischievous 

 playfulness that seemed more like fun than malice. Wag 

 was there, as pert as the best hound in the brake, yelp- 

 ing, running, biting, and making much noise, and yet 

 keeping out of danger. At length his turn came ; a 

 well-directed blow of that big black paw sent him curled 

 up like a kitten, and as senseless as a rag, into his mas- 

 ter's arms. 



Poor Doctor ! this seemed to awaken him, and spring- 



