A hunter's life 165 



to the house and helped Mary to clean him. After he was 

 cleaned, he weighed twenty-six pounds ; being the largest 

 turkey I ever killed. 



On Monday, all being ready for the hunt at young Mr. 

 House's camp, I sat off early, as I had about nine miles 

 to travel. I proceeded slowly, resting occasionally, until 

 the afternoon ; when a heavy fall of snow came on. It 

 was not very cold and, as I was walking in a public road, 

 — for the camp was close to the road, — I did not hurry 

 myself. 



I had just crossed Deep Creek, when, in a thick grove 

 of pines, I saw the tracks of the big bear, where he had 

 just crossed the road. As it appeared that he had not 

 passed there more than ten minutes before, I followed after 

 him, scarcely feeling my lameness. I followed him per- 

 haps a quarter of a mile, keeping a very sharp look-out, 

 as the snow had covered everything over, and was hang- 

 ing thick on all the underbrush, when I discovered a 

 black-looking object through the snow-covered brush. I 

 was within thirty steps of it, but was afraid to shoot, lest 

 it might prove to be the end of an old black log ; in which 

 case, if I shot, the bear would hear the report of the rifle, 

 and make off; and I might as well set my old dog to stop 

 a heavily-loaded wagon when it was going down a steep 

 hill, as to send him after that beast to stop him. So I 

 watched the black lump till I saw it move ; when I aimed 

 at the middle of it, fired, and down went the gentleman 

 bear. I ran up ; but, knowing my inability to cope with 

 him, I left the battle to him and the old dog ; who knew, 

 by long experience, that if he wished to keep whole bones 

 he must remain at a safe distance from such a foe ; parti- 

 cularly when, as he and I both saw, the bear was in no 

 humor for soft dealing ; but intended, to the utmost of his 

 Dower, to 'i^ll his life as dearly as possible to those who 



