SCIPIO AND THE BEAR. 265 



courage and strength, it exercised both in the most en- 

 ergetic manner. Now and then it seized a dog, and 

 killed him by a single stroke. At another time, a well 

 administered blow of one of its fore-legs, sent an assail- 

 ant off yelping so piteously, that he might be looked 

 upon as hors de combat. A cur had daringly ventured 

 to seize the bear by the snout, and was seen hanging to 

 it, covered with blood, whilst a dozen or more scrambled 

 over its back. Now and then the infuriated animal was 

 seen to cast a revengeful glance at some of the party, 

 and we had already determined to despatch it, when, to 

 our astonishment, it suddenly shook off all the dogs, and 

 before we could fire, charged upon one of the negroes, 

 who was mounted on a pied horse. The bear seized the 

 steed with teeth and claws, and clung to its breast. The 

 terrified horse snorted and plunged. The rider, an 

 athletic young man, and a capital horseman, kept his 

 seat, although only saddled on a sheep's skin tightly 

 girthed, and requested his master not to fire at the bear. 

 Notwithstanding his coolness and -courage, our anxiety 

 for his safety was raised to the highest pitch, especially 

 when in a moment we saw rider and horse come to the 

 ground together ; but we were instantly relieved, on wit- 

 nessing the masterly manner in which Scipio despatched 

 his adversary, by laying open his skull with a single well- 

 directed blow of his axe, when a deep growl announced 

 the death of the bear, and the valorous negro sprung to 

 his feet unhurt. 



Day dawned, and we renewed our search. Two of 

 the remaining bears were soon discovered, lodged in a 

 tree about a hundred yards from the spot where the last 



