80 AN UNSOLICITED INTERVIEW. 



going on across the water, and I knew the ground so 

 well that I could picture in my mind the gallant deer, 

 at one -time strolling over this ridge then, at a 

 slower pace, traversing the occasional breaks of 

 heavy cedar swamp while, hundreds of yards 

 behind, followed his slow but unerring pursuers. 

 Utterly unconscious of my surroundings, my whole 

 thoughts were centred in the doings of the dramatis 

 persona hidden in the opposite woodlands. 



But could it be that a deer had gained my side 

 without my knowing ? Close at hand some large 

 animal was most assuredly moving through the 

 marsh, and most obviously coming towards me. 

 From the noise it made it could not be many paces 

 distant, but see the unknown I could not, for the 

 reeds and rushes were at that particular place both 

 denser and taller than elsewhere. ' Never thinking, 

 never doubting but that it was a deer the fact of 

 the proximity of the tall cover being selected for a 

 landing place would have allayed my doubts, if I had 

 previously had any I strained myself to my great- 

 est height, so as to obtain the earliest possible chance 

 of firing. I was not long detained in this uncomfort- 

 able position ; not three yards off, and evidently 

 passing me, was a bear. At the moment I saw the 

 beast he appeared to wind me, for he stopped and 

 turned his small inquiring eyes in my direction. A 

 moment was not to be lost. I had then the advantage 

 of height, so, with little depression in my barrels, I 

 aimed, or rather fired a snap shot at the bridge of 

 my new acquaintance's nose, and poor bruin collapsed 

 as momentarily as an unfortunate old garron would 

 do under the blow of a pole-axe. 



The destructive power of a charge of No. 5 at such 

 short range is truly terrible. 



My prize had a splendid pelt, otherwise the beast 

 was not remarkable. 



