132 pioneer life; or, 



hopes of meeting the gentleman and giving him a 

 proper reception, bnt when I reached the river I 

 found that lie had passed. During the next six 

 weeks they were not molested, and in that period I 

 saw sixty-three, and my brother thirty-three, making 

 ninety-six that were seen crossing, besides those that 

 probably crossed unobserved. About the tenth of 

 October they commenced crossing from the west to 

 the east, making a trail across my father's island, 

 which was planted to corn in five fields of ten acres 

 each. The Dutchman and I made another house 

 between the bank and a root, which served for two 

 sides, of the house. The first night we watched we 

 wore unsuccessful, and did not make another attempt 

 for several nights. At length the Dutchman, another 

 man and myself went out to watch. Three times 

 in the night they rose and went out to look for them, 

 but without succcess. Just at break of day I awoke, 

 went to the door, and saw a bear coming. Taking 

 my gun and dog I stole out cautiously, leaving the 

 others sleeping soundly. The dog gave chase, and 

 stopped him as he had crossed the island and was 

 about to plunge into the stream on the opposite side. 

 Here was an abrupt bank of about eight feet, and as 

 the bear attempted to descend this the dog would 

 seize him and he would turn upon the dog. When 

 I came up, the bear plunged off the bank, followed 

 by the dog, which continued to worry him in the 

 water. Seizing a moment when the bear turned to 

 face the dog, I fired, killing him instantly. The men 

 in the hut, hearing the report of my gun, ran out 



