A SOUTHERN BEAR HUNT. 



26s 



of the "fice" he was a perfect success, and 

 Gabe was honest and ought to know. 



Clare called "dinna," but I do not feel 

 at liberty to say much about the meal, for 

 the reader who has never enjoyed a " 'pos- 

 sum and yam" dinner would hardly* appre- 

 ciate what I might say, and the one who 

 had, would but be tormented by remem- 

 brance of it. 



During the afternoon most of the time 

 was devoted to getting ready for an early 

 start for the swamp next morning. We 

 packed a generous supply of food, ammu- 

 nition, and other requisites, while Gabe 

 went out to the cane brake in search of 

 Rosie. He found her and brought her 

 back with him. George said he was sorry 

 Rosie and Gabe returned before dark, for a 

 look at " dat mewl " and a thought of 14 

 miles through the woods "follerin' de 3 

 blaze trail" was, to say the least, discour- 

 aging. 



Next morning, long "afore sun-up," we 

 had Rosie tied and strapped to the wagon, 

 and succeeded in getting her started. 

 About noon we reached a little stream 

 where we camped and had dinner, lhen, 

 by dint of pushing the wagon with all our 

 force against Rosie, while Gabe pulled hard 

 on the bridle, we got her started again. 



The afternoon wore away without inci- 

 dent, beyond killing a fat wild turkey for 

 supper. 



I FOUND A HALF GROWN BEAR UP A SMALL TREE. 



Night came and I asked Gabe if we were 

 not near the swamp, but he had "nebber 

 come dis heah way before, and didn't 

 know zackly." We had traveled at least 



20 miles in an air line, and not less than 30 

 counting detours around patches of cane, 

 and other obstructions. We were tired and 

 hungry, having walked the whole dis- 



