A DESERTER. 



as 



my constant companion upon all hunting expedi- 

 tions, the first of which was to secure alive, if possible, 

 the young bears whose dam we had slain. The task 

 was not difficult, for the cubs were too young to be 

 left to the responsible task of taking care of them- 

 selves. For days, and I fear during that time often 

 without food, the poor little beasts wandered alone 

 about their demesne, seeking for their slain mother. 

 At last Prince came upon their trail and treed them. 

 A skilfully handled axe soon laid their retreat low, 

 when with a little difficulty, much snarling, and 

 many scratches, they were secured and transported 

 to the shanty. It was surprising how soon they 

 became tame, and thoroughly reconciled to their new 

 homC; where they proved to be most interesting pets ; 

 their besetting fault being jealousy of any attention 

 shown the numerous pets I then possessed. A 

 young otter, almost full grown, they particularly^ 

 detested, and no wonder, for his teeth were sharp as 

 needles, and he never had the slightest hesitation in 

 giving them practical demonstration that such was 

 the case. 



These battles generally resulted, I must say, from 

 the bear cubs being the offender^. They were par- 

 ticularly fond offish, and so was the otter. Now the 

 latter was permitted to go about loose, and as a well 

 stocked lake was at the door of the shanty, many a 

 fine white fish or mascalonge was brought home. 

 After the trouble of making these captures, the 

 fisherman doubtless expected to enjoy the result ii 

 peace, and as his appetite required ; but this was 

 what the bears would not permit, and as they got 

 older and stronger, it became no easy matter to resist 

 them ; so the otter ultimately ceased to bring home 

 his prey, and finally deserted me altogether. 



Frequently, more particularly towards sundown, I 

 used to see my old pet fishing in the adjoining bay, 

 but no allurements would bring him back. It is 



