140 THE PINE-TREE, OR 



presented one of the most lively collections of material for the 

 pencil that we have ever contemplated. There were uncom- 

 mon brilliancy, life, and animation in the group. After dispatch- 

 ing, we strung him up and dressed him on the spot, taking only 

 one quarter of his carcass, with the hide, back to camp. 



A portion of this was served up next morning for breakfast ; 

 but while the sinewy, human-like appearance of the fore leg 

 might have whetted the appetite of a cannibal, a contrary in- 

 fluence was exerted on ours. 



More sanguinary was the following encounter, which took place 

 in the vicinity of Tara-height, on the Madawaska River : " A 

 trap had been set by one of the men, named Jacob Harrison, 

 who, being out in search of a yoke of oxen on the evening in ques- 

 tion, saw a young bear fast in the trap, and three others close at 

 hand in a very angry mood, a fact which rendered it necessary 

 for him to make tracks immediately. On arriving at the farm, 

 he gave the alarm, and, seizing an old dragoon saber, he was fol- 

 lowed to the scene of action by Mr. James Burke, armed with a 

 gun, and the other man with an ax. 



" They proceeded direct to the trap, supplied with a rope, in- 

 tending to take the young bear alive. It being a short time 

 after dark, objects could not be distinctly seen ; but, on approach- 

 ing close to the scene of action, a crashing among the leaves and 

 dry branches, with sundry other indications, warned them of the 

 proximity of the old animals. When within a few steps of the 

 spot, a dark mass was seen on the ground — a growl was heard — 

 and the confined beast made a furious leap on Jacob, who was 

 in advance, catching him by the legs. The infuriated animal 

 inflicted a severe wound on his knee, upon which he drew his 

 sword, and defended himself with great coolness. 



" Upon receiving several wounds from the saber, the cub com- 

 menced to growl and cry in a frightful and peculiar manner, 

 when the old she-bear, attracted to the spot, rushed on the ad- 



