needed it was soon
evident, as they shortly afterward appeared dragging into the camp a
splendid bear, the sight of which at first made Sam jump again, as
though he would continue the journey he had so abruptly ended when he
had dashed into their midst.

When Sam had quieted down he told the story of his exciting adventure.

Like the others, he had taken his gun and gone off to see what he could
shoot. As at first he did not meet with much success he pushed on and
on until he reached a long stretch of sandy beach, on which he detected
the fresh footprints of a bear. Putting a bullet into his gun, he
bravely started off to get that bear. On and on he hurried, reckless
and excited, until at length he saw the fine fellow, not two hundred
yards away, sitting on a flat rock a little way out from the shore,
busily engaged in capturing fish.

Without any fear Sam pushed on until he was, as he thought, near enough
to kill the bear that was sitting on his haunches with his back toward
him, utterly unconscious of his presence.

Raising his gun he fired. That he hit him he was sure, as he said he
saw the fur fly from a spot on his back. The instant the bear felt the
wound he gave a roar of pain, and, turning around, without a moment's
hesitation dashed into the water and came for Sam.

"All at once," said Sam in a most comical manner, "as I saw what a big
fellow he was and his resolve to try and cultivate a closer
acquaintanceship, I thought I had had hunting enough, and would like to
go home and see my mother. But, as this was impossible, I decided that
the next best thing was to get back to the camp as soon as I could. So
I dropped my gun and started at a great rate. However it did not take
the bear long to get across that bit of water, and then on he came.

"My! but he did run, and quickly did he gain upon me. Then I dropped my
brightly coloured beaded Indian cap, hoping that that would delay him.

"But he only seemed to give it a sniff and a tear, and then on he came.
Finding he was still gaining on me, I pulled off my leather coat and
dropped it on the trail and hurried on. Glancing behind me, I noticed
that that seemed to make him suspicious for a time, as he carefully
examined it. This delay was fortunate for me, but soon, to my alarm, I
found he was once more coming on after me.

"It was now getting dark, but fortunately I knew the way, and so dashed
in upon you in the manner I did, just about used up."