118 VOP.TV-FOUR YEARS OP 



as if 1 had been in tlic most secure house and on the best 

 bed in a city. 



Mary and I passed the winter as contentedly as lieart 

 could wish, as we were well provided with milk and butter, 

 honey and venison ; but still we were anxious for the re- 

 turn of spring, when the flowers and sweet-singing birds 

 would add to the enjoyment of our leisure hours. 



At length spring came, and all the beauties of nature 

 lent a new charm to every hour in the day. This was the 

 time also to commence bear-hunting again ; and accord- 

 ingly I told Mary one evening that I would try to kill a 

 bear the next day. 



"Well, Meshach," said she, "you have always hereto- 

 fore came home safe ; but I am afraid you will some day 

 or other be found unprepared for the bears, and be torn to 

 ])ieces." 



I answered her that there was no danger ; for, being 

 well acquainted with all kinds of animals I would not en- 

 gage with them unless I had the advantage ; and that, as 

 in no case would I come to close quarters with them, but 

 would remain at a sufficient distance to keep out of their 

 clutches, she must not be uneasy about me ; for I would 

 surely take care of myself. 



The following day, I saddled my horse and started for 

 my camp — distant about ten miles in the wilderness. I 

 reached there about four o'clock, and hobbled my horse, 

 to keep him safe till I had fiijished my hunt. This done, 

 I took my two dogs, entered the woods, and hunted till 

 late in the evening, but could find nothing. However, on 

 my return to the camp, as I skirted the edge of a largo 

 laurel swamp, I started a very large bear, which, with two 

 or three jumps, got into the laurel and out of sight. The 

 dogs followed him in full cry, and I ran through the 

 laurel after them, till I found myself out of breath, and 

 could no longer hear their yelping. I continued following 



