98 F O R T Y - F O U R Y E A R S F 



pendicularly to tlie height of about five feet. I took off 

 my hunting-shiii , which I tied over the colt's head and 

 eyes, so that he could not see what I was about, and then 

 brought him close to the rock, where Mary held him, while 

 I rolled one quarter on his back, and then another, until I 

 got them all on, when off we went, the colt bending under 

 his burden at every step. But he stuck to it like a fine 

 fellow till he got home with his load, which weighed not 

 less than two hundred and fifty pounds. 



A few days after this was all taken care of, a fine snow 

 fell, when off I started again to hunt bears. I saw several 

 tracks, but took the largest one, which I followed rapidly, 

 as the snow was still falling fast ; and I had every advan- 

 tage of the bear, for he could neither hear nor see me. I 

 }»ushed on after him, until I arrived at a small branch, 

 which the bear was compelled to cross, and in which he 

 had stopped to take a drink. The bank being very high, 

 I did not see him till he bounded up the opposite side into 

 the thick bushes. I could not get a good sight of him till 

 he was at some distance ; but knowing that would be my 

 last chance, as he reached the top of the hill, I fired at 

 him, hit or miss. I reloaded my gun, and went to 

 where I last saw him, when I discovered he was badly 

 wounded, there being a great quantity of blood along his 

 trail. 



Encouraged at the prospect of coming to a closer en- 

 gagement with the old larky, I followed the trail with all 

 speed, well knowing that he was making his way toward a 

 large laurel swamp, and that, if he got into it, he would 

 be beyond my reach, until I went home for my dogs. The 

 bear was ol)liged to retreat about a mile tlirough cleared 

 ground, where I could not only run as fast, if not faster 

 *,han him, but where also I had a fair chance for a hand- 

 to-hand fight. I followed the trail, running with all my 

 might. Observing him making all the head-way he could, 



