106 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



thing; so we lay down and slept till daybreak. We 

 made a good breakfast, and then, leaving old Conwell be- 

 hind, who had done rather too much for his time of life, 

 we four again entered the cave to bring out our prizes. 

 We fastened a cord round the old bear's neck ; I squeezed 

 past, and shoved from behind, while Smith and the school- 

 master pulled, and young Jim Conwell held the light. 

 We gained ground inch by inch, and about noon, amid a 

 general hurrah, we cast down the carcase by the camp 

 fire, where it was instantly taken possession of by Bears- 

 grease, who laid himself growling by its side. 



As we had some way to go home, we only opened 

 and cleaned her, and broke the spine, so that the carcase 

 might lay better across a horse. We reached home by 

 the evening ; I took a plunge in the river, and then set- 

 tled down to sleep. 



We rose refreshed the next morning ready for further 

 efforts, and concluded to try some caves that old Conwell 

 knew of. We provided ourselves with cords and food, 

 and made two large wax candles, which are less disagree- 

 able in a close cave than pine torches, give a better light, 

 and are not so liable to go out. We arrived at the place 

 in the afternoon, and found eight or nine caves, from forty 

 to eighty feet deep, but all empty. We now separated to 

 try different paths, and agreed that as soon as any one 

 found a trail, he was to make a signal so that all might 

 join in the chase. 



I found a small cave with, fresh marks, but no bear. 

 On returning to the mouth, I heard the dogs, and listen- 

 ing attentively for a minute or two, I felt sure they were 

 coming towards me. Presently the noise of rushing 



