DEATH OF THE BEAE. 153 



yards more the distance was diminished, when, whether 

 from fear, certain that my last moments had arrived, or 

 knowledge of the animal's habits, I gave a shout, a feeble 

 one, of no distinct note, I believe ; but the result was 

 fortunate, for the foe halted, and really seemed uncomfort- 

 able, occasionally glancing around, as if he believed retreat' 

 if possible, would be advisable ; but second thoughts are 

 not always best. The irresolution was fatal, and the bear 

 found it so ultimately, for he again advanced towards me. 

 When scarcely eight yards divided us, a second shout 

 brought him again to a halt, and, as he sat up, displaying 

 his teeth symptoms that too truly said, " I will teach you 

 a lesson" I let him have the contents of the right barrel, 

 aimed for the nose, well knowing the shortness of range 

 would throw the projectiles up. And so it did. At so 

 short a distance the concussion was irresistible ; both eyes 

 were destroyed, the forehead up to the apex of the crown 

 fearfully cut up, and the poor bear rolled over, clawing the 

 injured parts in life's last agony. Without hesitation I 

 delivered the coup de grace by discharging the second barrel 

 at the butt of Bruin's ear, thus surely putting a finishing 

 touch to his earthly career. This bear weighed about two 

 hundred and twenty pounds, and was, in the vicinity where 

 killed, deemed a very large one. 



When in the State of Maine I was called from my 

 writing by the landlord of the small roadside hotel at which 

 I was residing. He informed rne that a bear had entered 

 the clearing,* evidently with the intention of attacking his 



* Where the forest has been cut away for cultivation. 



