Bear-Hunting in the South. 



75 



Making a rush, as a feint to scatter his enemies, he sprang up into 

 an oak and seated himself in a fork about twenty feet from the 

 ground. 



By this time my companions had arrived, and it was agreed that 

 Rogers, who had never killed a bear, should have the shot. He took 

 his position in front of the tree and attempted to get a sight at the 

 bear's head ; but a bear's head is a bad target, as it is in constant 

 motion, and the frontal bones are so sharp and hard that, unless the 

 hunter makes a center shot, the ball will glance and do but little 

 harm ; moreover, when wounded, however slightly, the bear is almost 

 sure to abandon the tree. At the report of Rogers's gun, though 

 slightly stunned by the glancing ball, Bruin threw his arms around 

 the tree on the opposite side, and came down, as old Asa said, " like 

 a streak of greased lightning." The pack covered him as he touched 



