FOREST LIFE. 137 



in sight of him for the first time. No longer retreating before 

 his pnrsuers, he now turned upon them. Av>'are that tliey could 

 have but one shot, it being impossible to reload before he would 

 be upon them, they suffered him to approach very near, to make 

 their aim more certain. The forest echoed with the report of 

 the discharge ; the shot took effect, and a furious scuffle followed. 

 The snow flew, while the enraged and furious growl and gnash- 

 ing teeth mingled with the clattering trap, and the echo of the 

 powerful blows inflicted upon his head with the shivered breach 

 of the gun, under which he yielded his life to his superior pur- 

 suers. 



But there is no animal among us with whom encounters are 

 so frequent as the common black bear. Their superior strength, 

 the skill with which they ward off blows, and even wrench an. 

 instrument from the hand of an assailant, and their tenacity of 

 life, render them really a formidable antagonist. "We have some- 

 times been diverted, as well as severely annoyed, by their thiev- 

 ish tricks. In one instance we were followed several days by 

 one of them on our passage up river, who seemed equally bent 

 on mischief and plunder. The first of our acquaintance with 

 him occurred while encamped at the mouth of a small stream, 

 whose channel we were improving by the removal of large rocks 

 which obstructed log-driving. Our camp was merely temporary, 

 so that all our goods were exposed. While we were asleep dur- 

 ing the night, he came upon our premises, and selected from the 

 baggage a bundle containing all the winter clothing of one of the 

 men — boots, shaving tools, kc. 



His cariosity was too great to allow of a far removal of the 

 pack without an examination of its contents ; and never did dep- 

 uty inspector or constable perform a more thorough search. Du- 

 ties on the package were inadmissible ; the goods were esteemed 

 contraband, and were accordingly confiscated. The wearing ap- 

 parel was torn into shreds. There was a pair of stout cow-hide 



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