AMERICAN BLACK BEAR. 
192 
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 sur- 
rounding woods now echoed to the blows of the axemen. The tiee was 
large and tough, having been girded more than two years, and the opera- 
tion of felling it seemed extremely tedious. However, at length it began 
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 seized 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 so piteously that he might be looked upon as 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 ottieis scrambled 
over its back. Now and then the infuriated animal was seen to cast a 
revengeful glance at some of the party, and we had already 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 liis 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 relieved 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 our country no animal, perhaps, has been more frequently the theme 
of adventure or anecdote than the Bear, and in some of our southwestern 
States it is not uncommon to while away the winter evenings with Bear 
stories that are not only interesting on account of the traits of the habits 
of the animal with Avhich they are interspersed, but from the insight they 
afford the listener into the characteristics of the bold and hardy huntsmen 
of those parts. 
In the State of Maine the lumbermen (wood-cutters) and the farmers set 
guns to kill this animal, which are arranged in this way : A funnel-shaped 
