A hunter's life. 235 



mountain going out, and the north side coming home. I 

 continued on down the south side, when up bounced a fino 

 buck, which ran up the steep hill until he was almost out 

 of reach of my ball ; but he stopped at last, and turned 

 to look at me. As he did so, I took good aim, and fired, 

 when he came running toward me, and fell dead. 1 

 dressed the carcass, hung it up, and then crossed the 

 mountain to the north side, where I found the woods had 

 been all burnt over ; but the nuts were plenty, and there 

 being many signs of deer and bears, I kept on my course, 

 though then not less than fifteen miles from home, looking 

 for the best places to camp and hunt. 



At last my dog found a middle-sized track, and as it 

 was late, I let him off at once. In a few minutes, hearing 

 him in full cry, I ran to where he was, and found that he 

 had a bear up a tree. I shot the bear, dressed his carcass, 

 and hung it up, as I had done the rest of my game ; after 

 which I had five miles to travel to the nearest house, and 

 was then eight miles from home. 



After this time, I have no recollection how the hunt 

 turned out ; but in May of the following year, I went to 

 the house which the neighbors had raised for the Metho- 

 dist preacher, Wirsing, and which was then a hunting- 

 camp, taking a good dog with me. I hunted the first 

 evening, but not seeing any bears, and very few signs of 

 any, I stayed all night, and took an early start in the 

 morning. It was likely to be a fine day for my purpose, 

 as it was raining a little, and bears like to feed in damp 

 weather. I had been out but a short time, when the rain 

 poured down so rapidly, that I sought shelter under a 

 large tree, and sat down close to it. While there, my dog 

 showed signs of game being near ; but I remained in my 

 place, in hope,« it might be a bear coming toward me. 

 Presently a tremendous buck appeared, with his old coat 

 of hair on, and looking long, lank, and shabby. I thought 



