ADVENTURE WITH A BEAR. 29 



which we promptly answered. He was accompanied by Wil- 

 liam McFarland, a near neighbor, both on horseback, armed 

 with their trusty rifles, and followed by some half dozen dogs 

 of known pluck and eager for a row. Our armed heroes, on 

 joining us, hastily dismounted and were rejoiced to hear that 

 Cuflfy still remained in his den. John claimed as his right 

 the honor of leading the attack and giving the first shot, and 

 instantly mounted the log, while I at the same moment fol- 

 lowed his example and stood close behind him. Unfortu- 

 nately, his nerves had become so much disturbed by his long 

 race and excitement of the moment, that when he raised 

 "Betsy," as he called his rifle, to his shoulder, he could not 

 hold her steady, but shook and wabbled so much that he hesi- 

 tated for some seconds to shoot. Seeing the tremor which 

 had seized him, I entreated him to give me the gun ; but this 

 he refused. I then told him to make a sure shot, and " give 

 it to him" above the eyes ; he instantly fired, and the ball only 

 glanced the side of his mouth, although the muzzle of his gun 

 was not more than three feet from the bear's head. " Quick 

 as wink" he gave a " tremendous" snort and sprang at John, 

 who at the same moment jumped off the log and fell at full 

 length on the ground. We all thought his hour had come, 

 as the bear, with open mouth, flew on him ; but fortunately, 

 McFarland, on seeing John's trepidation before he fired, had 

 cocked his gun, and, before Bruin could seize his prostrate 

 foe, put the muzzle against his side and shot him through the 

 lungs, while the dogs seized him at the same instant and 

 saved John's life. After a brief scuffle with the dogs, whom 

 he knocked about as if they had been mere puppies, while the 

 blood flowed in streams from his side, mouth, and nose, he 

 entered his cavern, and soon breathed his last. On dressing 

 him, he was found to be in prime order, and weighed near 

 four hundred pounds. 



