232 ROAST BEAR. 



This was done by tying his feet together, then running a 

 long pole, cut for the purpose, between them, and lifting 

 each end upon the shoulder of a boatman, he was " strung 

 up," as Cullen expressed it, clear from the ground. They 

 stumbled along as best they could, over the rough ground, 

 and through the tangle brush, towards the river. It was a 

 heavy load considering the unevenness of the path, and the 

 men were compelled to halt every few rods to breathe. We 

 got him safely to the landing at last, and tumbling him into 

 the bottom of one of the boats, started down stream towards 

 our shanty. A proud trio were Spalding, Smith, and the 

 Doctor that afternoon, returning with their game across the 

 lake ; and they certainly had some occasion to congratulate 

 themselves, for this was the first wild, uncaged bear either 

 of us had ever seen, and him they had succeeded in cap- 

 turing. 



We dined that afternoon on a roasted sirloin of bear, slewed 

 jerked venison, fried trout, and pork. I cannot say that I 

 altogether relished the roast, though some of our company 

 took to it hugely. The truth is, that with some of them 

 venison and trout were beginning to be somewhat stale 

 dishes, they did not relish fat pork, and a change therefore 

 to roasted bear meat was peculiarly acceptable. 



" Gentlemen," said Smith to the Doctor and Spalding, as 

 we sat after our meal, enjoying our pipes, " what say you to 

 selling out your interest in that bear ? If you're open for a 

 bargain, I'll make you a proposition." 



" Why," the Doctor replied, " there'll be nothing left but 



