236 POBTY-FOUE YEARS OF 



that to kill him would be to destroy a valuable animal t*) 

 no purpose, aud I determined not to shoot him, as I knew 

 he was not fit for use. On he came, until I could have 

 touched him with a ten-foot pole ; but he fed unmolested, 

 and passed by without noticing me at all. 



I remained under the tree, keeping my gun dry, until 

 the shower passed over, when I walked out to examine 

 one place which I had not seen the night before, and the 

 only hope I had of finding a bear. I took the leeward 

 side of the ground, and when I came to it, saw an old 

 bear and two youg ones. Between us, and near to the 

 bears, was a fall of timber. I took good notice that they 

 were feeding near a black tree, so that I should not be 

 mistaken as to the place where to look for them again ; 

 for I was compelled to lose sight of them, while I went 

 upon the fallen timber. I soon arrived at the fallen trees, 

 and easily climbed to the highest place, where I could 

 obtain a fair view of my game, which were feeding 

 quietly, without any idea of approaching danger. 



"Well," said I to myself, "is not this a cruel act, to 

 steal in this way on a mother and her little helpless 

 family, and put them to death ? But," said I again to 

 myself, "we do the same with our hogs, cattle, and sheep; 

 therefore you have no right to complain, and you will 

 have to take it." 



All this time they were busily engaged, and my nerves 

 were as firm as possible. I took a steady aim at the old 

 one, and killed her instantly ; whereupon I immediately 

 reloaded my rifle, and rammed down a naked ball as quick 

 as possible. The dog caught one young one, and the 

 other ran up a tree ; but as he was coming down, I shot 

 and wounded him in the shoulder ; yet down he came, and 

 made for a swamp. As I had no time to load again, I 

 dropped my gun, went after and overtook him. But the 

 ruestion wa how to get at him ; for I knew he would be 



