208 BIG GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



exciting time. We were all up negroes and whites in a 

 moment, as excited a party as one ever sees on a Bear-hunt. 



Phillips, an experienced Bear-hunter, who knew the 

 whole country, rushed out of the tent, listened awhile, and 

 then said: 



"It is a Bear, sure enough. The warm weather has 

 caught him out of his den, and he is now r making for the 

 big cane-brake at the mouth of Cypress Creek. We are 

 bound to kill that Bear. It is going to be a long and severe 

 chase, but we shall kill. Come, let us eat a bite; drink 

 plenty of coffee, for you w r ill need it all to-day. Fill your 

 pockets with lunch while the negroes are saddling our 

 horses, for that Bear is to be killed, no matter what occurs. 

 Ho well, you and Little John are better prepared to die than 

 that sinner, the Colonel, and myself; for if you drown, you 

 will be sure to go to the happy hunting-grounds, while it is 

 extremely doubtful about us. Now, you must ride for life 

 down the bank of the river, until about eight miles below 

 here, to the crossing. You can not ford it now, but you 

 must swim your horses across, and then, if you are not 

 drowned, ride like Jehu up Cypress Creek to the big brake. 

 You will be in hearing of the dogs all the time, and if you 

 don't get a shot, the Bear will cross the river to this side, 

 and make for the cane-thicket at the mouth of the Little 

 Missouri River. Perhaps the Colonel and I may get a shot 

 at it on this side. If we do not, it wall run the thicket, 

 and after awhile cross back. Then you can kill it as it 

 swims back to you on the east side.'' 



These instructions were rapidly given as we gulped 

 down our breakfast. It was an awful time to be out on a 

 Bear-chase, especially as long a one as we expected this 

 one to be, for none but a poor Bear would be out of winter 

 quarters at this time of the year and in this storm. 



Even now, as I sit peering into the fire, I can see the per- 

 sons whom I have represented, as plainly as if alive, and as 

 if it were but yesterday. All have long since passed from 

 earth, and have gone to their long resting-place, whither I 

 am fast traveling. I alone am left to recall the scene, and 



