A hunter's life. 255 



knowing that she would be off, I took good aim at her 

 neck, fired, and down she fell. 



Having loaded my gun with the Dupont powder, it was 

 so much stronger than mine, that I was very nearly 

 knocked off my high stand ; but a tree close to my back 

 saved nie from being thrown flat on the ground. 



I went to the deer, the neck of which was broken, and 

 a fine one it was. I soon made a fire and had some of the 

 ribs before the coals, which is the best way that venison 

 was over cooked. After supper, I lay down by my deer to 

 sleep ; but a light shower of rain falling in the night, I 

 became anxious for the return of day. 



As soon as it was daylight, I glided into the woods, and 

 with a light foot penetrated deeper and deeper into the 

 forest, until my dog gave me notice that game was near ; 

 but I kept him going on against the wind until he took a 

 stand and refused to move farther. I then examined the 

 locality closely, when I discovered a very large bear on 

 the other side of a fallen tree, and as near as I wished, 

 though I could see nothing but the top of his back, which 

 I thought I could break. 



As the wind was unfair, and I was afraid he would be 

 off, I aimed to break his back ; but being very fat, the ball 

 passed over his back-bone, doing him but little, if any, 

 injury. 



When I saw my game run away, I was angry with my- 

 self for not going up to the fallen tree, when, by putting 

 the gun against his side, I would have had a sure shot. 

 On examination, I found my ball had carried some of the 

 fat against a tree on the opposite side, and I came to the 

 conclusion that it was a lost shot. 



"Well, old fellow," said I, "it is in your favor this 

 time ; but take care if you ever meet with me again ; for 

 you may not be so lucky if I have as fair a chance at you 

 the next time ; and only let me see one more of your tribe 



