66 Bear-Hunting in the South. 



in our section almost as helpless as a babe, — the opposite, in every 

 respect, of our backwoods hunter, whose pen-portrait I will endeavor 

 to give. Living by hunting and trapping from boyhood, an unedu- 

 cated frontiersman, he was the beau ideal of a hunter — clad in buck- 

 skin hunting-shirt and leggins, with an otter-skin cap on his head 

 and a 'coon-skin pouch in which he carried his ammunition swung 

 across his shoulders, and a short rifle in his hand ; about five feet 

 ten inches tall, round-bodied, but with no surplus flesh, and with 

 muscles like corded steel. His hair was steel gray and inclined to 

 curl where it fell below the temples. His features were regular, and 

 by long . exposure to sun, rain, and miasma were wrinkled and 

 bronzed ; but, clear and brilliant through a complexion like a tanned 

 alligator-skin, sparkled a pair of merry blue eyes that indicated a 

 soul as gay and free as the wild woods he loved so well. All through 

 the swamps he was known as "Old Asa, the bear-hunter." The two 

 planters were Major Duncan and myself. 



When old Asa sounded his horn, about twenty-five dogs of all 

 descriptions gathered around him ; like their master they were 

 trained hunters, and many bore the marks of Bruin's claws. If you 

 should ask the pedigree of old Beargrease or Bravo, the two most 

 noted leaders of the pack, I should be compelled to admit that the 

 vilest mongrel strains coursed through their veins. For there is no 

 certainty in breeding them: often the most "or'nary"- looking cur 

 makes the best bear-dog. On my annual expeditions to the swamps, 

 I was accustomed to buy, borrow, and "persuade" to follow, every 

 specimen of the canine race I could pick up ; and if out of a dozen I 

 secured one who "took to bear," I was lucky. 



A bear-pack requires dogs of various sizes. A few rough-haired 

 terriers, active and plucky, that can fight close to Bruin's nose and 

 dodge under the cane when pursued ; some medium-sized dogs to 

 fight on all sides, and a few large, active curs to pinch his hind- 

 quarters when he charges in front or crosses an opening in the 

 woods. Bear-dogs must fight close, but not attempt to hold a bear ; 

 you want them to hang on but not to hold fast. A well-trained pack 

 will only seize hold at the same time when one of their number is 

 caught ; then they boldly charge to the rescue of their comrade, and 

 as soon as he is freed, loose their holds and run. Then gathering 

 around the bear again, they worry him until he climbs a tree, where 



