76 TRAVELS IN 
engaged In defending himfelf from them, I 
might eafily furprife him behind. The event 
fliewed that I was not deceived : I foon ob- 
ferved him fquatted down, and making ufe of 
his fore paws to defend himfelf from my Httle 
bitch ; for fhe approached fo near him, con- 
tinually barking, as almoft to be within his 
reach. When I had taken a proper aim, I 
difcharged my carabine, which I inftantly 
dropped, in order that I might lay hold of my 
double-barrelled fuzee, which I carried at the 
bow of my faddle. This precaution, how- 
ever, was needlefs ; the animal did not ap-^ 
pear ; and, after I had fired, I faw nothing 
more of him. Though I was certain that I 
had hit him, it would have been highly im- 
prudent to penetrate immediately into the 
thicket. Not hearing him, I fuppofed that he 
was dangeroufly wounded ; and calling out to 
fuch of my brother fportfmen as were colledted 
together — "* My friends," faid I, " let us all 
advance towards him, in a clofe line afrontj 
*' if he is ftill alive, and makes his appear- 
^' ance, our pieces, difcharged at once, muft 
deftroy him. What rifque can we run ?" 
Upon hearing thefe words, they all anfwered 
with 
