Eastern times., 1855-10-04

Tuesday following, he crossed the road
short distance from the house, with sheep IN
his mouth. The same lad again attacked him
with club; he dropped the sheep and made
his escape. The same animal, short time
since, as we are informed by Mrs. Bowley,
paid her a visit. He put his fore paws on the
window sill, thrust his head and shoulders into
the room, and quietly took his leave
have frequently heard of similar contests
with bears, and when resident of Maine, was
well acquainted with boy, fourteen years of
age, who used frequently to hunt the small
black bear with no other weapon than long
bladed knife, which, as the animal approached
him, he would plunge into his heart, as he
raised to hug him, taking care to keep his
arms clear.
Our party were two days in reaching their
encampment in the immediate vicinity of the
lake. We found that others had arrived be-
fore us, and expecting us, had made all the
necessary preparations for our reception. The
huts of the preceding winter that were fit to
occupy, had been repaired, and a new log
house of considerable dimensions had been
erected, which was to be used principally as
storehouse. 1t did not take long to get
settled, and in day or two the ring of the
woodman's axe resounded merrily. 1 spent
most of my time hunting, occasionally varying
the exercise for half day or so by telling
timber. l forgot to mention that had brought
up with me most ferocious, yet noble dog, a
cross of the bull-terrier and mastiff Several
other companies of lumbermen were in the vi
cinity, so near that our evenings were spent
socially over cards, or telling stories, season.
ing the same with occasional draughts of New
England rum. The cards were not played for
money, and there were no drunkards among
us. Altogether, we made out very comforta-
bly,, barring the presence of women, which
certainly would have added considerably to the
zest Of life in lumbermen's camp.
The winter months passed off without the
occurrence of any incident worthy of mention
had surfeited myself with hunting, and had
supplied more fresh meat TO the camp than its
actual necessities required. had been fortu-
nate enough TO kill six as fine moose as / ever
saw, any quantity of rabbits and other small
game, and now and then bear, that, impelled
by hunger, had left his winter quarters in
search of food At such times they were
rather more ferocious than thought was ab-
sQlutely necessary, and so thought my dog
Pilot, who, in tusse with one of the animals,
had been seriously injured in the right fank,
and the skin torn from the hip above. But he
did not show the white feather He stuck to
Bruin, till got an opportunity of closing his
accounts, by well-drected bullet in the
brain. He weighed, when dressed, something
like four hundred pounds-a pretty good
weight for small black bear.
1t was not till the latter part of March that
| thought of returning home. The umbermen
had mostly ceased telling trees, and were bust
ly engaged in getting them down the river,
whittier they would have to follow them in the
capacity of log-drivers, to send down such as
lodged on the shores and shoals. This is the
most dangerous and fatiguing part of the busi-
ness. running great risks of drowning, and al
most certain to take severe, if not fatal colds,
from constant exposure 10 wet and cold-the
men scarcely being dry moment from morn
ing till night, and often being obliged to be in
ice cold water, leg deep. The boats which
they use are the old French batteaux, or the
'dug-out,' made from the solid butt OF pine
tree, and often capable of carrying ten or
twelve persons.
The day preceding the one on which | was
to start down the river, took my gun, and,
followed by Pilot, | sailed forth in quest of a
bear-fght. They were just beginning to show
themselves, and were unusually cross and
fierce. The snow had mostly disappeared
from the ground, and the ice was apparently
just about to break up in the river, though the
fetters were still on. My ammunition had by
this time become pretty much exhausted, with
not more than fifty charges of powder on hand
and only five bullets. My bullet mould had
got lost, and there was not another in the
camp. This was putting me on pretty short
rations. l had plenty of buck-shot, but they
were not much account in a tussle with bear
But was thoughtless and wild then, and was
not governed by considerations Of caution. As
left the cabin that morning, the sky had a
dull leaden appearance, and the cold, easterly
March wind blew chilly over the lake, beto-
kening storm.
For the first two hours wandering, l was
not SO fortunate as to meet with anything worth
wasting my powder upon. had wandered in
various directions, till arrived near the river
about two miles distant from the encampment
when suddenly l was aroused from home
revery by the violent barking of my dog.
knew him so we'll that was certain, as soo1
as heard him, that he had met with bear
Overioyed at this good fortune, hastily pushed
forward to his relief, and soon found him with
his attention occupied by huge she bear and
two cubs. She was in great state of excite
ment, which only seemed to increase as she
got sight of me- She made several attempts
to get at the dog, but he was too watchful fol
her. Noble in her nature, l could but admire
the strong maternal affection which she showed