lOfi FORTY-FOUR YEARS OP 



shot. Have him I will ; for there was never a better place 

 to fight in, and out of this he shall not go alive." 



By this time the bear had traveled at least a quarter of 

 a mile, all the time approaching nearer to us. I then left 

 Hugh and Gunner, to be ready to reinforce me, in case I 

 should be unsuccessful at the first shot ; for the bear was 

 a large one, and would fight like the d — 1 if he got the 

 chance to do it. I walked carefully down towards the 

 bridge and seeing him coming toward it, I placed myself 

 in his way; and, with ramrod drawn, two balls in my 

 mouth, and the big knife hanging by my side, I was never 

 in my life better prepared for a fight than at that time ; 

 for I had full opportunity to make my arrangements before 

 he came within reach. 



He moved forward so slowly that it was beginning to 

 grow dark before he was where I wanted to make the at- 

 tack. When he was within eight or ten paces, I spoke to 

 him in a low tone, saying, " You are in the right place, 

 old fellow." This I did to stop him while I took a good 

 aim for his heart. He did stop, and looked at me until I 

 fired ; when off he started, with Hugh and Gunner after 

 him, who had been watching for the battle to commence 

 till their patience was almost worn out. No sounds of 

 fighting being heard, I loaded again, and ran into a little 

 thicket, where the bear lay dead enough ; my ball having 

 passed through the middle of his heart, and thus prevented 

 the fight which had been so well arranged. 



After taking out his entrails, and cleaning out the 

 blood, I sent Hugh to Mr. Hoy's, with directions for him 

 to meet me at that place in the morning with a horse, 

 when he should have three-quarters of the bear. Hugh 

 started one way, while I went the other ; making all pos- 

 sible haste to my dear little wife, not knowing how she 

 might like to be alone so long ; for it was at least two 

 hours after sundown 



