256 FORTY -FOUR YEARS 01 



this day, and I will show him how things will gu." So 

 Baying, off I started in search of other game, 



I trudged on until I came to a fair-looking place, vi nen, 

 stopping to take a careful view, I saw the paws of a bear 

 which was climbing a tree ; but, the body being on the off 

 side of the tree, I could see nothing but the paws. I kept 

 quiet, and in a little time down she came, ran off a few 

 yards, and then halted to see where I was ; when, as I was 

 ready, I fired, and off she scampered. Her two young 

 ones, which were at some distance, were frightened by 

 the report of the gun, and followed after their mother. 

 The old bear soon dropped, and, when dying, groaned so 

 terribly, that one of the young ones, being frightened, 

 came running directly toward me. In the mean time, I 

 had rammed down another load, and the cub ran so neai 

 to me that I could almost reach it with the gun. When 

 it saw me, it rose up on its hind -feet to see what I was ; 

 whereupon, I shot the entire load into its breast, and killed 

 it so dead that it never kicked. 



Then I ran quickly and put my dog on the tracks of the 

 other little one, which, in a few minutes, he chased up a 

 tree, when I shot that one also ; not leaving one of the 

 family alive. 



I then cleaned the carcasses, hung them up as usual, 

 and steered my course for the house in which old Dr. 

 McHenry lived, where my Mary had appointed to meet 

 me. 



I got to Mr. McHenry's after dark, and all were pleased 

 to see me come to hunt with the young gentleman from 

 Baltimore. The conversation throughout the evening was 

 lively ; many questions were asked about the probable events 

 of the ne.xt day's hunt, and at a late hour we all retired to 

 rest. 



Before day, a messenger was sent to inform me that the 

 appointee" hour was approaching, so I rose at once. Ae 



