A H U N T K K ' S LIFE. 369 



eats weeds, wliich so purge him that he is speedily re- 

 lieved of this obstruetion ; after which he can eat what he 

 pleases. 



The bear climbs trees with great facility, aud procures 

 honey from the wild bees, as well as acorns and chestnuts 

 from the highest trees. It frequently cuts, or rather 

 gnaws, its way out of log traps made for the purpose of 

 catching it — the logs in which are frequently a foot in 

 diameter. It is a bold, undaunted beast, though not apt 

 to pick quarrels with other animals ; but if any others 

 trespass on its rights, it then becomes furious and vindic- 

 tive. I love and admire the bear, because it desires to 

 insult neither man nor beast, nor will it suffer any to 

 insult it. 



The bear is not at all particular in its feeding, nor 

 dainty in its appetite. It appears, however, to have a 

 preference for vegetables, green corn, nuts, berries, and 

 acorns ; but scarcely anything comes amiss, when pressed 

 by hunger, and worms, slugs, all kinds of eggs, small 

 quadrupeds, and even carrion, often tempt it to allay the 

 cravings of hunger. When other food fails, a straggling 

 hog or a sheep is almost certain to become its prey ; and, 

 to secure the former, the bear will often venture so near a 

 house as to be within reach of the rifle. Bear meat is 

 considered a delicacy by those accustomed to it, and the 

 hunter always deems it a prize worthy of much effort 

 to obtain. 



Next comes the panther, which is altogether of a differ- 

 ent disposition. Although possessed of great strength, 

 perhaps fully equal to that of the bear, it is a most das- 

 tardly coward ; and will suffer itself to be driven into a 

 Uee by a half-grown dog, when one snap of its teeth, or a 

 single blow froir its paw, would forever silence the dog. 

 The panther seeks its victim in the dark, and, springing 

 f)u it, — whether it be the largest-sized buck, a hog or a 



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