96 FORTY-FOUR YEARS OP 



war-clul), which lie had made to defend himself with, a» 

 well as to attack those v/icked fighting bucks. It wsis 

 eight feet long, with a large knot on the upper end, but 

 shaved down at the lower end so as to form a small 

 handle. But he would not again venture himself in the 

 woods unless I went with him ; which as I did not do, he 

 never had an opportunity of trying his club. 



Everything went on first-rate until the leaves began to 

 fall. I had a two-year old colt, which I got when I traded 

 my horse for the farm, and it ranged in the woods where 

 the bears were plenty. I went out one day to look for my 

 colt, but did not find him ; and as I was returning home 

 in the afternoon, I saw that some animal had been rolling 

 over the leaves. "Well," said I, "this must have been 

 ray colt, which has been here rolling." But upon further 

 examination, I found it had been a bear, which had got so 

 heavy and fat that he lay on the ground and drew himself 

 along, and ate the chestnuts that were to be found in great 

 numbers among the fallen leaves. 



As soon as I found what it was, I left ; making as few 

 tracks as possible, lest the bear should return, scent my 

 presence, and make off. 



I told Mary, the following morning, that I was going 

 after the biggest kind of a bear, and felt almost sure of 

 him. 



"Well, Meshach," she replied, "you know that all the 

 time you are out I am so unhappy, that if we could get 

 along without your risking yourself as you do, I should be 

 glad if you would keep out of the woods." 



" Don't be afraid of me, Mary," said I ; " for I am good 

 for the biggest of a bear there is in these woods. " 



In the morning I was up before it was light enough to 

 868, and off T started for the bear's feeding-place. As he 

 wa& not there, I began to consider where he was ; for I 

 knew he would feed somewhere that fine morning. Having 



