UNCLE BEN. 165 



and birds may do for the settlement folk, because it's the 

 best they can get, and may be after all better than 

 nothing. Wh}", I once see an out-and-out bar-dog take 

 to rat-killing when the poor beast had the misfortune 

 to be carried to a to-wn.' 



The old hunter crave a hug-e sigfh as he thoug-ht of 

 the deo'enerate bear-doo:. 



The party consisted of experienced hunters, most of 

 whom could exhibit an ugly scar or two received in the 

 chase. They were men who could live in the woods, 

 and hold their own against either bears or Indians, yet 

 they placed themselves without the least hesitation 

 under the command of Uncle Ben, as though they had 

 been novices from the city: a striking proof of the 

 esteem in which he was held, and the qualifications 

 which he was known to possess. 



Luckily for me, I was not the only man who carried 

 a shot-g'un ; and the wrath of our leader was thus soon 

 diverted to some other offenders who bore similar wea- 

 pons. There were at least six so armed. 



About an hour before sunset we reached the spot 

 where it was proposed to camp for the night, and all 

 speedily staked their horses, after watering them at a 

 small brook. Our lower limbs were so stiffened by the 

 ride that we were not sorry to stretch them once more 

 on firm ground. A fire was kindled against a huge 

 fallen tree, which formed an admirable back log ; huge 

 branches were heaped upon it, and soon a blazing flame 



