SCIPIO’S MASTERLY ESCAPE. 291 
80 piteously that he might be looked upon ag 
hors du combat, A cur had daringly ventured 
to seize the bear by the snout, and was seen 
hanging to it, covered with’ blood, whilst several 
others scrambled over its back. Now and then 
the infuriated animal was seen to cast a revenge- 
ful glance at some of the party, and we had al- 
ready determined to dispatch it, when, to our 
astonishment, it suddenly shook off all the dogs, 
and before we could fire, charged upon one of 
the negroes, who was mounted on a pied horse. 
The bear seized the steed with teeth and claws, 
and clung to its breast. The terrified horse 
snorted and plunged. The rider, an athletic 
young man, and a capital horseman, kept his 
seat, although only saddled on a sheep-skin 
tightly girthed, and requested his master not to 
fire at the bear. Notwithstanding his coolness 
and courage, our anxiety for his safety was 
raised to the highest pitch, especially when in 
a moment we saw rider and horse come to the 
ground together; but we were instantly reliev- 
ed on witnessing the masterly manner in which 
Scipio dispatched his adversary, by laying open 
his skull, with a single, well directed blow of his 
axe, when a deep growl announced the death of 
the bear. 
In the state of Maine the lumbermen (wood- 
cutters) and the farmers set guns to kill this 
