130 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



grew perfectly furious, and it was impossible for me 

 to guide him, for I felt m3'self almost lifted from my 

 saddle by the creepers which hung about on all 

 sides ; fortunately, however, I had the presence of 

 mind to grip him firmly, and I regained my seat 

 without thinking much of the bruises which I had 

 gained in the struggle. Immediately after this, the 

 bear, having met three of my companions in his 

 path, returned towards me, pursued by the dogs, 

 and forcing his way through the canes and creepers. 

 My horse was then seized with a more lively terror 

 than before, and plunging about, soon entangled me 

 in a net which would have defied Samson or Her- 

 cules himself. The bear passed by again, pursued 

 hotly by the dogs, who were in a terrible rage. At 

 this spectacle, my horse backed still further into the 

 thicket, and I had great difficulty in keeping my 

 seat. I lost one of the sleeves of my coat, and the 

 remnants were left upon the points of a sugar-cane, 

 but I contrived to disengage my arm, and, drawing 

 my bowie-knife, managed to cut myself clear of the 

 net in which I was caught. As I could now hear 

 the howling and barking of the dogs, and the growls 

 of the bear keeping his foes at bay, I made the best 

 of my way to the scene of combat, which I found 

 at the foot of an immense tree. I could hear the 

 voices of my friends, who were pressing, like me, 

 towards the scene of action. 



At the same moment, Mr. John Morgan and I 



