AMERICAN BLACK BEAR. 
195 
him, and biting his arm severely. Nothing but the utmost presence of 
mind could have saved the young man, as he was unarmed with the excep- 
tion of a knife, which he could not get out of his pocket owing to the 
position in which he had fallen. Perceiving that his chance of escape was 
desperate, he rammed his hand and arm so far down the throat of the Bear 
as to produce the effect of partial strangulation, and whilst the beast 
became faint from consequent loss of breath, called to the boy to come and 
hand him the knife. The latter bravely came to the rescue, got the knife, 
opened it, and gave it to him, when he succeeded in cutting the Bear’s 
throat, and with the exception of a few severe bites, and some lacerations 
from the claws of the animal, was not very much injured. The Bear was 
carried next day in triumph to a neighbouring village, and weighed over 
four hundred pounds.. 
Such assaults are, however, exceedingly rare, and it is seldom that even 
a wounded Bear attacks man. 
Captain J. P. McCown has furnished us with the following remarks: 
“ In the mountains of Tennessee the Bear lives principally upon mast and 
fruits. It is also fond of a bee-tree, and is often found seeking even a 
wasp’s or yellow-jacket’s nest. In the autumn the Bear is hunted when 
‘ lopping’ for chesnuts. Lopping consists in breaking off the branches by 
the Bear to procure the mast before it falls. When pursued by the dogs 
the Bear sometimes backs up against a tree, when it exhibits decided skill 
as a boxer, all the time looking exceedingly good-natured ; but woe to the 
poor dog that ventures within its reach ! 
“ The dogs generally employed for pursuing the Bear are curs and fice, 
as dogs of courage are usually killed or badly injured, while the cur will 
attack the Bear behind, and run when he turns upon him. No number of 
dogs can kill a Bear unless assisted by man, 
“ In 1841, the soldiers of my regiment had a pet he-Bear (castrated) that 
was exceedingly gentle and playful with the men. It becoming necessary 
to sell or kill it, one of the soldiers led it down the streets of Buffalo and 
exposed it for sale. Of course it attracted a large crowd, and was bid for 
on all sides on account of its gentleness. But unfortunately Bruin was 
carried near a hogshead of sugar, and not disposed to lose so tempting a 
repast, quietly upset it, knocking out the head, and commenced helping 
himself in spite of the soldier’s efforts to prevent the depredation. The 
owner of the sugar rushed out and kicked the Bear, which, not liking such 
treatment, gave in return for the assault made upon him, a blow that sent 
his assailant far into the street, to the terror of the crowd, which scattered, 
leaving him to satisfy his appetite for sugar unmolested.” 
The number of Black Bears is gradually decreasing in the more settled 
