290 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
branches with the trunks. Two were imme 
diately shot down. They were cubs of no great 
size, and being already half dead, were quickly 
dispatched by the dogs. 
We were anxious to procure as much sport 
as possible, and having observed one of the 
bears, which from its size we conjectured to 
be the mother of the two cubs just killed, we 
ordered the negroes to cut down the tree on 
which it was perched, when it was intended the 
dogs should have a tug with it, while we should 
support them, and assist in preventing the bear 
from escaping, by wounding it in one of the’ 
hind-legs. The surrounding woods now echoed 
to the blows of the axemen. The tree was 
large and tough, having been girded more than 
two years, and the operation of felling it seemed 
extremely tedious. However, at length it be- 
gan to vibrate at each stroke; a few inches 
alone now supported it, and in a short time it 
came crashing to the ground. 
The dogs rushed to the charge, and harassed 
the bear on all sides, whilst we surrounded the 
poor animal. As its life depended upon its 
courage and strength, it exercised both in the 
most energetic manner. Now and then it seiz 
ed a dog and killed him by a single stroke. 
At another time, a well administered blow of 
one of its fore-legs sent an assailant off, yelping 
ce 
