Bear-Hunting in the South. 



11 



foe, when old Asa, pushing Rogers aside, heroically stepped in front, 

 and dropping on one knee, threw his rifle to his shoulder and fired. 

 The bear, though mortally wounded, sprang upon him. I was close 

 at hand, but could not shoot without the risk of hurting my friend. I 

 shouted to the pack. Regardless of danger, the brave dogs rushed 

 to the rescue, and again covered the bear, just as he had seized old 

 Asa by the leg. I sprang forward, and reaching the opposite side 

 struck a well-directed blow and fell back, leaving my knife in the 



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' 



OLD ASA IN TRIUMPH. 



monster's heart. The experienced hunter always strikes a bear from 

 the opposite side to which he stands, as the bear is sure to turn to 

 the side from whence he receives the blow ; and woe to the unlucky 

 hunter caught in his death-grasp. As the bear rolled over and 

 expired, old Asa sprang to his feet and exclaimed, as he grasped 

 my hand, "Bully for you, old pard ! A leetle more an' I would have 

 been mince-pie for that tarnal critter, tryin' to save Greeny, thar. 

 Hoopee, good dogs!" And, at the voice of affection from their mas- 

 ter, they gathered around him, while the old hunter sat on the carcass 

 of the bear and caressed his battle-scarred pets, examining all of 

 their wounds before he looked at his own. It proved to be an ugly, 

 though not dangerous, bite on the calf of the leg. 



" Boys," he said, "we are only a mile from camp, and if I can 

 get to the bayou just outside of this cane, I can walk with .less pain 

 than I can ride through the brake." 



Refusing all assistance, the old hunter started for camp alone, 



