288 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
still as before this adventure. We supposed 
the bear had been started at some distance, and 
that -his pursuers, not being able to follow him 
through the almost impenetrable canes, had 
given up the hunt. 
Being one night sleeping in the house of a 
friend, who was a planter in the state of Louis- 
iana, we Were awakened by a servant bearing a 
light, who gave us a note, which he said his 
master had just received. We found it to be 
a communication from a neighbour, requesting 
our host and ourself to join him as soon as pos- 
sible, and assist in killing some bears at that 
moment engaged in destroying his corn, We 
were not long in dressing, and on entering the 
parlour, found our friend equipped. The. over- 
seer’s horn was heard calling up the negroes. 
some were already saddling our horses, whilst 
others were gathering all the cur-dogs of the 
plantation. All was bustle. Before half an 
hour had elapsed, four stout negro men, armed 
with axes and knives, and mounted on strong 
nags, were following us at a round gallop 
through the woods, as we made directly for 
the neighbour’s plantation. 
The night was none of the most favourable, 
a drizzling rain rendering the atmosphere thick 
and rather sultry; but as we were well ac. 
quainted with the course, we soon reached the 
2 
