250 FORTY- F(IJR YEARS OP 



But T have passed over one hunt, which 1 will here 

 relate. It took place during the fore part of the same fall 

 that Riley and I had our hunt. On the morning when 

 the first snow fell that season, I rose early, intending to 

 hunt on the west side of the Great Yough, river. I went 

 to the river, which, being pretty well up, the water reached 

 about half-way up my thigh. I took oflf my pants and 

 moccasins, waded over, and after again putting on my 

 clothes, I felt first-rate. I had gone but a short distance, 

 when I discovered the tracks of a very large buck, whicli 

 had gone into a thicket, as I thought, in search of com- 

 pany, it being then in their mating season. As I con- 

 cluded that he would not stop until he found what he was 

 seeking, I did not think it worth while to follow him ; so 

 I passed on, and hunted until toward the close of the day, 

 when, finding the tracks of a large bear, I followed them 

 to a thick laurel swamp. It being very cold, and every- 

 thing being frozen hard, I knew that he would not feed 

 until the weather moderated ; at which time I promised 

 myself to meet him on the same ground, if he should think 

 proper to come out. 



With this on my mind, I left the feeding ground, 

 and directed my course for home, until I came to tlie 

 buck's track which I had seen on my way out. From 

 what I had seen of the movements of the deer during the 

 day, I knew that he was still in that thicket ; of which I 

 took advantage, as he could not run any other way than 

 through the river, or out by me. I went on toward the 

 spot where I thought he lay, when directly out he camo, 

 within the range of my rifle. But as I saw I would have 

 to fire at him while on the run, for he was badly frightened, 

 I let him come as near as he would, when, as he was dash- 

 ing on, I shot at him. He kept on for some distance, but 

 at length stopped. As soon as I fired, I ran after him 

 vritli all speed ; and when he stopped, I was still within 



