t any corn."

"But I hate to see them hunted, and wounded, and killed, they suffer so
much."

"_Suffer?_--Suffer to be _killed!_--_Bears_ suffer to be killed? By
hokey, they don't indeed! Not they, they're used to it as eels are to
bein' skinned. And haint you heern of the bear-hunt we're goin' to
have to-night?"

"No, I have not."

"Wal, make ready with your birch candle and your axe; and come over and
get my old queen's-arm musket, and go with us. I tell you what, it's
no small fun to hunt bears. We'll have a smart time, and finish off at
Waldrons's with a supper of bear's meat washed down with metheglin.
Come, none of your chicken feelins in this country. You must kill and
quarter the wolves and bears."

"I suppose I must. They are carrying away all my corn. In whose field
do you meet?"

"In yourn, Fabens, if you'll jine us. Come, we'll give your little
patch a sweepin."

"Well, I'll be with you. They cannot suffer much if shot through the
head or heart; and I may as well begin a hunter's life killing bears
and wolves; but the deer I'll never trouble."

Arrangements were made for the bear hunt, and a bear hunt they had; and
all declared they were glad Fabens was along, for it gave him something
not to be found on the Hudson. Torches were prepared, guns and axes
were ready, dogs and men assembled at an early hour, and Fabens,
Colwell, and Wilson were sent on a scout into the field to listen for
the ravagers, and give the signal of attack. The full, bright moon
beamed down from the sky, and every movement had to be stealthy and low
to avoid alarm; and as Fabens crept into the field, and hid himself in
the hollow of a stump, and listened, his very heart frightened him, for
it beat so loudly, he waited in fear that it would alarm the bears, or
betray him into their clutches. Beat, beat, went his heart; tang,
tang, went the insects; hoot, hoot, went the owls; and on, and on rode
the moon. Again his flint was examined; again his tinder-box felt for,
and his torch fixed for lighting when it might be needed in the woods;
and his eager ear opened wider and wider to catch a rustling noise.

At last the corn rustled, and footfalls sounded faintly in his ear, and
Colwell crept up and whispered, "The bears are in! don't you hear 'em?
They're movin' this way. There! hear 'em rattle the corn!--There,
there again, hear 'em snuffle and chank!"

"I hear something," said Fabens.

"That's 'um! Old Bruin ha