A hunter's liie. 109 



they were located amongst bears, panthers, wolves, and 

 rattlesnakes. And what would they do ? I would like to 

 see a few of them tried, just to learn how they would come 

 through what she so bravely stood up to for four or live 

 years. 



After finishing my floor, I found I must have a lot to 

 keep my calves in, separate from the mothers ; and to 

 work I went alone ; Hugh having gone home for his 

 clothes, intending to stay a month or two with us. I had 

 ray rails to make and carry on my shoulder ; but in three 

 or four days my pasture-lot was enclosed, and then I felt 

 at liberty to take a hunt every morning or evening, as the 

 wants of our table required. 



When Hugh returned, his sister Jane came with him, 

 to spend a week or two with us. She was then a young 

 woman, and quite good-looking ; and as women always 

 wish for something new on their table, Mary asked me to 

 catch a mess of trout for our breakfast next morning. To 

 gratify her, I went to Deep Creek, where success was cer- 

 tain. But just before I reached the fishing-ground, I met 

 a bear standing in the path, within close gunshot. He 

 saw me first, and ran into the bushes, followed by Watch. 

 At it they went, up and down, over and over, until, by the 

 time I came in sight, the bear had become so afraid of 

 Watch's sharp teeth, that he was in the act of climbing a 

 tree in order to save his hams from being scarified any 

 worse ; for Watch had torn him in many places, and some 

 of the wounds were very deep. Yet when he saw me 

 coming at full speed, he came down again ; but as he did 

 so, I sent a ball through his liver; w^hich, however, for a 

 few moments, did not seem to weaken him any. Watch 

 and he then had another tussle ; for the bushes were so 

 thick that I dare not venture my knife, as I could not get 

 out of the bear's reach speedily enough to save myself. 

 However, I loaded the second time, came up as closely as 

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