312 FORTY-POUR YEARS OP 



" In order to be on the ground early next day, we went 

 that evening to the Cherry-Tree Meadows, and staid all 

 night with Mr. Cunningham, who, though a sportsman, 

 did not accompany us. 



" The morning was cold and frosty, but we started into 

 the woods again, taking our course nearly parallel with 

 Meadow Mountain, and hunted until the weather became 

 more moderate ; when, on our left, at a great distance, we 

 observed a bear feeding. 



"I said to Browning, 'As you are an older hunter, and 

 a better shot than I, you may have the pleasure of shoot- 

 ing him.' 



" Off he started, but quickly returned to me, saying, 

 ' Give me your gun too ; and if the first shot should not 

 kill him, I will repeat.' 



" I gave him my rifle, and on he went ; but the leaves 

 were so dry that the bear heard his steps, and ran before 

 he was within gunshot of him. I was left in charge of 

 the dogs, with instructions to slip them when necessary. 

 As soon as the bear started, I let both dogs go, and they 

 scampered after him in full cry, and Browning followed at 

 a pace at least half as fast as that of the dogs. I ran 

 with all speed to where I saw him last, supposing that he 

 had left ray gun there for me ; but, as I could not find it, 

 I ran first one way and then the other, until I heard the 

 report of a gun, another following it in quick succession ; 

 when I knew that he had taken both rifles. I then went 

 on, and arrived after all the sport was over, and the bear 

 was dead. Browning told me that, notwithstanding both 

 shots, the bear continued fighting until he stabbed him. 



" After those hunts. Browning commenced trapping 

 wolves, and caught one ; when the wolf carried ofl' his 

 trap, and the hard rains washed out all traces of the trap, 

 as well as tb'^se of the animal. As Browning had but 

 one dog. and that one an untrained beast, and as I had 



