78 



Bear-Hunting in the South. 



and, getting into the bayou, waded into the cold water, as he said, 

 to numb the pain. We skinned and cut up the bear, which was no 

 easy task, as a bear's hide does not peel off like a deer's, but is tight 

 on his body, like a hog's, the removal of every inch requiring the 

 assistance of the knife. We reached camp by dark, and found old 

 Asa with his leg poulticed with medicinal herbs, in the virtues of 

 which he was well acquainted. Wounded as he was, the old man 

 was the life of the camp. He smoked his pipe and cracked jokes at 

 everybody. Calling Hannibal, he instructed him in the mysteries of 

 making a "filibuster." He first took the caul-fat, or .bear's hand- 

 kerchief, and spread it out on the inside of tHe fresh hide ; then he 

 cut slices of liver and choice bits of bear-meat, in the selection of 

 which he was a connoisseur. Between the layers he placed a very 

 thin slice of bacon, all the time rolling it in the caul-fat, occasionally 

 inserting sprigs of fragrant spice-wood, as he said to give it a flavor, 

 until a large meat sandwich was made. Then, sticking a wooden 

 skewer through it, he roasted it before the fire. And a more savory 

 dish never regaled the palate or olfactories of a hungry hunter. 



In summing up the casualties of the fight, we found two dogs 

 killed and seven wounded — three severely. Quiet at length settled 

 upon our camp, the hoot of the barred owl alone breaking the still- 

 ness of the night. But it did not disturb the peaceful dreams of dogs 

 or hunters, or of Hannibal, snoring to the accompaniment of the 

 kettle, which hummed a lullaby as it prepared the head of Bruin for 

 to-morrow's repast. 



